San Agustin Church

San Agustin Church

San Agustin Church, situated inside Intramuros walls, is the oldest church in the Philippines. The church, together with the monastery nearby, was the only structure left standing after World War II. The current structure is actually the third version of the church which survived several natural disasters through time. When the Spaniards came to the Philippines to spread Catholicism, churches were built throughout the country, one of them being the San Agustin Church. The church was built in 1571 under the Augustinian Order. It was then constructed out of nipa and bamboo and was named Iglesia y Convento de San Pablo.

Three years later, the Chinese Pirate, Limahong, conquered Manila, leading to the burning of houses and the San Agustin Church. Because of this, the church was reconstructed in 1575 with the use of wood. Unfortunately, the new wooden church was burnt down for the second time in 1583.

The Augustinian friars, fearing another disaster, chose to use adobe stones for the building of the third church. In 1586, they consulted Juan Macias about the design and construction of the church. It was then officially completed in 1607.

RIZAL PARK HOTEL

ACCOMMODATION)

The old Manila Army and Navy Club was originally designed as rest and recreation area for the exclusive use of the US military personnel and civilians, and later Filipinos. It was the site of many important events in Philippine-American relations. The Club’s first president was Col. Smith of California. Notable persons who became its presidents were Admiral George Dewey, Gen. Arthur MacArthur, Jr. and his son Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and Army Chief of Staff and later Governor General of the Philippines Leonard Wood. Originally, the club was housed in a building located in Intramuros. On April 12, 1911, it transferred to the present site near the then Luneta Park and along the shores of Manila Bay reserved by urban planner, Daniel Burnham, in his plan of Manila.

The once fabulous building, or what has remained of it, had been declared by city engineers as condemned after years of neglect. Its columns, floors, and walls had been extremely damaged, and floods of water seeped inside. The restoration of Army and Navy Club had been in the drawing board in the mid-2000s. However, the restoration of the club only officially commenced in 2014 when the city government signed a joint venture deal with the Oceanville Hotel and Spa Corporation. Over the course of the restoration, Oceanville had strictly retained the old Club’s architectural design, lay-out, room dimensions, and even its motif down to the smallest details. It also retained the building’s trademark arches as originally designed by Parsons. The building’s facade, the octagonal lobby, the grand staircase, the black and white flooring, the room sizes, the balcony and courtyard, and even decorative statues were all carefully restored. Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or craftsmanship that characterize the property were also preserved.

July 26, 2017 marks the historic return of the old Army and Navy Club as the new Rizal Park Hotel, which can now be considered as a vital piece of the Philippines’ national pride and history. The hotel maintained the building’s original character but added more modern facilities and amenities available to the public. The hotel features 110 beautifully designed rooms with unique colonial-era design that takes its guests to a trip down memory lane in pure comfort, luxury and bliss. It also has fully-equipped entertainment facilities such as a spa, a coffee shop, a sky bar, a courtyard, function halls, a gym, a casino, marina, and a restaurant – Café Rizal – offering delectable creations with Chinese fine dining. Guests are in for a nonpareil gastronomic experience at the hotel’s state-of-the art open-theatre show kitchen that offers a new twist of international cuisine with the fusion of classic and modern flair that creates a sumptuous buffet spread, partnered with a special ala carte menu. The Rizal Park Hotel stays true to its motto of offering its guests an experience of “History In Style”. By mixing the old with the new, the Rizal Park Hotel is a symbol for a new generation of Filipinos who value their rich cultural heritage but also promote economic progress and development for the country.