Binondo Chinatown: A Culinary and Cultural Adventure in the Oldest Chinatown
In addition to being considered the oldest Chinatown in the world, Binondo Chinatown is also the center of trade and commerce in Manila City. In
Campo Santo De La Loma, commonly known as La Loma Cemetery, was inaugurated in 1884 and is located primarily in Caloocan, with a portion extending into Manila. The cemetery covers just under 54 hectares (130 acres). The creation of this burial ground was necessitated by the 1863 earthquake, which devastated Manila and overwhelmed the existing Paco Cemetery. To address the urgent need for a new burial site, Spanish authorities sought a solution, leading to the decision to develop La Loma.
ABOVE: La Loma Cemetery, opened in 1884, was built to replace the overcrowded Paco Cemetery after the 1863 earthquake, with Vicente Carranceja managing the project funded by P30,000.
ABOVE: La Loma Cemetery, opened in 1884, was built to replace the overcrowded Paco Cemetery after the 1863 earthquake, with Vicente Carranceja managing the project funded by P30,000.
Vicente Carranceja, the Inspector General for Public Works, was appointed to oversee the project, which was funded with a budget of P30,000 from the Ayuntamiento. Carranceja, working alongside Marcelo Ramirez, officially began the project on August 3, 1864. This initiative marked a significant step in addressing the burial needs of Manila’s growing population and ensured that the city would have a more suitable and expansive cemetery.
ABOVE: The “Lumang Simbahan” or St. Pancratius Chapel, established in 1884 at La Loma Cemetery, is a historic landmark that witnessed pivotal events like the Philippine-American War and the Battle of Caloocan.
ABOVE: The “Lumang Simbahan” or St. Pancratius Chapel, established in 1884 at La Loma Cemetery, is a historic landmark that witnessed pivotal events like the Philippine-American War and the Battle of Caloocan.
Originally designated as Cementerio de Binondo, the cemetery was named after the jurisdiction of Santa Cruz during the Spanish Colonial Period. The name was later changed to La Loma Cemetery upon its opening. This new designation reflected the cemetery’s emerging role and the shift from its initial colonial associations. During the Spanish colonial era, the cemetery held significant importance, and Spanish officials used it as a means to enforce their authority.
In a notable historical context, Spanish officials warned Filipino rebels that involvement in uprisings would result in exclusion from Catholic cemeteries like La Loma. This threat underscored the cemetery’s role in colonial governance and social order, as access to burial sites was considered an important aspect of a “decent” burial. Such policies highlighted the cemetery’s symbolic and practical importance during the colonial period.
One of La Loma Cemetery’s most prominent features is the “Lumang Simbahan,” or St. Pancratius Chapel. This funerary chapel, dating back to 1884, served as a significant site until 1962. Its architectural prominence made it a focal point during critical historical events, including the Philippine-American War. During the early stages of this conflict, the chapel and Blockhouse 2 were occupied by General Arthur MacArthur and his forces.
The chapel’s location at the northern end of the cemetery also saw action during the Battle of Caloocan, where Filipino forces under General Antonio Luna were stationed. The involvement of the chapel in such significant historical events underscores its importance not only as a burial site but also as a witness to pivotal moments in Philippine history.
Campo Santo De La Loma is renowned for being the final resting place of several distinguished figures in Philippine history. Among those interred here are Marcela Agoncillo, wife of Felipe Agoncillo and creator of the Philippine national flag. The cemetery also honors Maria Carpena, a pioneering Filipina stage actress and the first Filipina recording artist, as well as Josefa Llanes Escoda, a prominent women’s rights advocate and founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.
ABOVE: Originally Cementerio de Binondo, La Loma Cemetery symbolized colonial authority, with Spanish officials using it to enforce social order and threaten rebels with exclusion from Catholic burial sites.
ABOVE: Originally Cementerio de Binondo, La Loma Cemetery symbolized colonial authority, with Spanish officials using it to enforce social order and threaten rebels with exclusion from Catholic burial sites.
In addition to these figures, the cemetery is the resting place of Josephus Stevenot, founder of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and Tomas Mapua, the first registered architect of the Philippines and founder of the Mapua Institute of Technology. These notable individuals contribute to the cemetery’s rich historical legacy and its significance as a site of remembrance for influential figures in Philippine history.
Remarkably, Campo Santo De La Loma survived the 1945 Battle of Manila, a period during which much of the city’s architecture was destroyed. This preservation has made the cemetery a crucial piece of the Philippines’ historical architectural heritage. The survival of La Loma Cemetery amidst widespread devastation underscores its importance as a cultural and historical landmark.
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ABOVE: Campo Santo De La Loma, miraculously preserved through the 1945 Battle of Manila, stands as a testament to the resilience of Manila’s historical sites amidst wartime devastation.
ABOVE: Campo Santo De La Loma, miraculously preserved through the 1945 Battle of Manila, stands as a testament to the resilience of Manila’s historical sites amidst wartime devastation.
Today, an anti-aircraft mortar launcher still stands on the cemetery grounds, serving as a reminder of its historical significance. The preservation of La Loma Cemetery amidst the wartime destruction highlights its role as a testament to the resilience of Manila’s historical sites and its enduring legacy in the face of conflict.
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