We made our way back to the capital where we would be staying in Quezon City – officially a separate city but part of the Manilla municipality. It was here that Mohamed Ali & Joe Frazier famously contested the Thrilla in Manila world heavyweight boxing match.

En route we stopped off at a very unusual church in Bacolor.

San Guillermo Parish Church 

The lava flow from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo half filled the church as well as completely submerging much of the town.

Of course, eventually lava solidifies into rock, effectively forming a raised street level in Bacolor.

The locals therefore decided that they would preserve the church for the congregation at a higher level with the floor now high up in the former roof space.

The entrance would now be where the grand window above the former entrance door was.

The unique church has become quite the tourist attraction. It houses a small museum showing photos of its pre 1991 state and describing the conversion post eruption.

Near the church, there were also houses that had suffered a similar fate, with residents now living in former attics. Nature’s loft conversion.

Along the way we also passed the Bataan Death March Memorial.

During the Japanese occupation of Luzon during WWII, tens of thousands of Filipino and American prisoners of war were forced to March over 60 miles in tropical heat without food, water and any medical care.

An estimated 18,000 perished from exhaustion, thirst or being beaten to death by the captors. Brutal.

Manila Part 2

So back to where we began. This time based in Quezon City as mentioned. We would use our base to take some Filipino transport.

First up the classic jeepney, originally converted from US military jeeps. We hailed one down, handed over a few pesos and headed to the nearest metro station.

We soon found the metro which would take us high above road level. As it was near Christmas, the train was decorated to appear like you were in a festive grotto.

From the metro we connected to the only current train in the capital for the suburban route from Tutaban to Alabang. We started from Espana station.

We were to travel to the end of the line then back to Tutuban just for the sake of it.

There is a major rail project going on to link Manila with the south of Luzon. However, this is way behind schedule and I do not know when it will be complete.

Tutuban used to be quite a grand station in the past, but is now largely a shopping mall. There is a collection of old photos showing what used to be.

We wandered around the area taking in the sights and sounds before returning to Quezon by taxi.

Coming next – trip to Tagaytay and departure for Seoul.