This heritage walk explores five iconic basilicas across Manila

Looking for something to do this weekend? Try this heritage walk organized by Renacimiento Manila!

In Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, Renacimiento co-founder and president Bea Dolores said the heritage walk takes participants through the streets of Manila to visit important heritage structures while deepening their understanding of Philippine history and culture.

“Ang ating heritage walks ay nagdadala mismo sa mga kababayan natin sa ating mga makasaysayang lugar para mas mabigyan pa natin ng lalim ang ating pag-unawa at kaalaman po sa mga pinupuntahan natin,” she said.

In the latest edition of Renacimiento Manila's heritage walk, participants will get to tour five beautiful basilicas in Manila.

According to the heritage walk coordinator Diego Gabriel Torres, a church is granted the title of basilica when the papacy bestows special recognition on its historical and cultural significance in relation to the Catholic faith.

Here are the five basilicas featured in the heritage walk.

1. San Sebastian Church

Known as the only all-steel church in Asia, it was also the first minor basilica in the Philippines after receiving recognition in 1890.

2. Quiapo Church

Also known as the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, the Quiapo Church is home to the revered image of the Black Nazarene.

3. Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, also known as the Santa Cruz Church, is one of the important shrines dedicated to the devotion of Our Lady of the Pillar, which traces its roots to the first Marian apparition.

4. Binondo Church

Meanwhile, there's the Binondo Church in Santa Cruz, where Andres Bonifacio and his wife Gregoria de Jesus were married before the Philippine Revolution.

5. Manila Cathedral

The final stop of the heritage walk was the Manila Cathedral, one of the country’s most significant churches.

Per Torres, the cathedral was elevated as a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II during his visit to the Philippines in 1981. This was in recognition of its role as the mother of Philippine churches, being the seat of the country’s first archdiocese and a center of devotion to the Immaculate Conception.

For participant Mark Wong, the tour is both educational and enlightening.

“I find it very educational and enlightening showcasing the heritage sites of Manila,” he said.

Meanwhile, Torres emphasized the importance of preserving these heritage structures.

“Mahalaga na ma-recognize itong mga structures na ito dahil the physical structures themselves are living embodiment noong Christian community at mahalagang part 'yun ng kwento ng kahit anong pamayanan,” he shared.

The activity comes as the Philippines celebrates National Heritage Month this May through Presidential Proclamation No. 439, signed in 2003. The observance aims to promote appreciation for Philippine history, culture, arts, traditions, and heritage sites.

“Ang bawat local government unit ay maaaring mag-launch ng activities. Hindi naman kailangang on site, pwede din siyang online. Pagtatanghal na pwede ding magbigay o magpakita ng pagpapahalaga sa ating pinagmulan, sa ating kultura, at sa kung paanong nabuo identity and nationhood,” said Melanie Turingan-Marcos, a historian from the University of Santo Tomas.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News