At the border zone between classic and new Manila

This is a historic spot in old Manila. The Binondo church with its many co-names had its first building here in 1596. It was a church targeting chinese converts to christianity in the nearby area now called Manila Chinatown.

It is bordered by an increasingly modern building mass built around it. Back when I visited, the high rise on the right was solitary standing.

The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz was destroyed by artillery bombardment in 1762 during the 7 year war by the British Navy.

The building built after that got mostly destroyed by the Battle of Manila in 1945. Only a wall and parts of the tower was standing.

The Binondo Church got many names, as the catholics loves their saints snd holy figures very much. The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz is in memory of a missionary born and educated here. Mr. Ruiz was canonized as the first catholic saint in 1987, as a christian martyr.

Originally it was dedicated to Saint Gabriel the Archangel who became Binondo’s patron until the mid-19th century. It is also known as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, as it venerates the Blessed Virgin Mary as Binondo’s patroness from the early 1700s up to the present.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binondo_Church

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