Intramuros
It is also known as the Walled City, and during the Spanish Colonial Period it was synonymous with the city of Manila. Intramuros was also
THE BEAUTY OF
- Valenzuela City
PUBLISHED April 6, 2012
PHOTOGRAPHY and WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO
The San Diego de Alcala Church, a parish church located in the neighborhood of Polo in Valenzuela of Manila, has a bit of history lying in its parish grounds because it was once the oldest church in the city.
It was the locals that were forced to work to complete the original church in 1632, which was the first church built by Father Juan Taranto, Father Jose Valencia and Don Juan Monsod after the town gained its independence from Spain in 1623.
As a result of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II, the main structure of this four-century old edifice was destroyed to bricks and ashes, leaving the belfry and the entrance to the building all that remains of it today. Fortunately, the citizens of Polo, (the old name of Valenzuela, Manila) took the initiative to preserve the remains of this site, allowing them to be preserved in their historical state as a result. As of today, the bell tower of the San Diego de Alcala Church is recognized as a cultural and religious relic from the bygone Spanish era, as well as a historical landmark.
It was the locals that were forced to work to complete the original church in 1632, which was the first church built by Father Juan Taranto, Father Jose Valencia and Don Juan Monsod after the town gained its independence from Spain in 1623.
As a result of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II, the main structure of this four-century old edifice was destroyed to bricks and ashes, leaving the belfry and the entrance to the building all that remains of it today. Fortunately, the citizens of Polo, (the old name of Valenzuela, Manila) took the initiative to preserve the remains of this site, allowing them to be preserved in their historical state as a result. As of today, the bell tower of the San Diego de Alcala Church is recognized as a cultural and religious relic from the bygone Spanish era, as well as a historical landmark.
A good time to visit the historical church is during the feast day of San Diego de Alcalala on the 12th of November during which the town also celebrates a food festival honoring the so-called putong polo, a unique type of rice cake that is typical in the area.
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