Caloocan, Manila

La Loma Cemetery

A Historic Haven of Timeless Beauty and Remembrance

PUBLISHED November 1, 2016

PHOTOS | WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO

Discover the captivating history of La Loma Cemetery, one of Manila’s oldest burial grounds. Explore its well-preserved mausoleums and tombs, rich with the stories of influential figures. As All Saints Day approaches each year, the cemetery becomes a sacred space where traditions of honoring the departed come alive, with the iconic “Lumang Simbahan” silently guarding timeless tales.

Explore the Philippines through my lens as we venture into La Loma Cemetery with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll guide you on an interactive tour, revealing the behind-the-scenes of capturing the shots shared here. Let’s dive into this visual journey together and uncover the wonders through my lens!

Let’s explore the PHILIPPINES through my lens as we journey on a photo slideshow to La Loma Cemetery. Join me in this visual adventure and discover the wonders captured through my lens! Check out the shared slideshow here.

Inception and Early History

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.

Check out the video for more highlights. See what I’ve captured through my lens with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll take you on an interactive tour, showing you behind-the-scenes moments of capturing the shots shared here.

Check out the video below for additional features. Explore what I’ve captured through my lens in this cinematic slideshow.

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.

Historical Naming and Colonial Significance

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.

Architectural and Historical Highlights

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.

Notable Interments

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.

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.

Preservation and Legacy

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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Inception and Early History

Historical Naming and Colonial Significance

Architectural and Historical Highlights

Notable Interments

Preservation and Legacy

LOCATIONS PROVINCES

ARCHITECTURE HERITAGE

CHURCHES FAITH

NATURAL & MAN-MADE ATTRACTIONS

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

LOCATIONS
PROVINCES

ARCHITECTURE
HERITAGE

CHURCHES
FAITH

NATURAL & MAN-MADE
ATTRACTIONS

FESTIVALS &
EVENTS