9 churches in Intramuros open morning to midnight for Visita Iglesia

Above and below: The Guadalupe Shrine inside Fort Santiago, one of the nine churches and chapels in Intramuros that will be open for Visita Iglesia during Holy Week. Photos: Jam Sisante-Cayco

Nine churches and chapels in Intramuros will be open on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday until late for those who want to do their Visita Iglesia inside the historic walled district.

Intramuros Administration chief Guiller Asido said the following churches and chapels will be open from morning until midnight:

• Manila Cathedral
• San Agustin Parish Church
• Fr. Willman Chapel in the Knights of Columbus building
• Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila chapel
• Mapua University chapel
• Lyceum of the Philippines University chapel
• Colegio de San Juan de Letran chapel
• St. Matthew’s chapel in the BIR building
• Guadalupe Shrine in Fort Santiago

Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Roberto Alabado Jr. urged the public to visit the historical churches of Intramuros and renew their faith.

Alabado said the DOT wants to promote ‘’historical churches and our historical shrines wherein we can exude the Christianity that we are known for, being the only Christian country in Southeast Asia.’’

Stations of the Cross installations will be displayed along the stretch of General Luna Street, from Beaterio to Muralla, from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday.

The Cainta Nazareno Inc. will also perform a senakulo at 7:00 p.m. on Maundy Thursday on Heneral Luna Street near Plaza Roma.

Asido said they expect this year’s visitors to exceed last year’s 900,000, as more churches and chapels will be open this year for Visita Iglesia.

‘’For purposes of security we already have the PNP, which started their deployment and we also have, as an additional layer of security, members of the Philippine Navy and Marines who will also be deployed inside the district,’’ Asido said.

There will be security checks at the Manila Cathedral entrance, so visitors are advised not to bring dangerous items such as pocket knives.

There will also be health emergency stations and free water stations in various parts of Intramuros. Visitors are advised to bring their own water bottles to lessen plastic waste. — BM, GMA News