Spooktacular Manila Mounts,Mausoleum and Monument Tour (2009)
PART 2
Manila Chinese Cemetery
Manila Chinese Cemetery is the second oldest cemetery in Manila after Paco Cemetery and was designated as the resting place for the Chinese citizens who were denied burial in Catholic cemeteries during the Spanish colonial period. The cemetery was witness to many executions during World War II. Among them were Girl Scouts organizer Josefa Llanes Escoda , literary geniuses Rafael Roces and Manuel Arguilla , star athlete-turned-guerrilla spy Virgilio Logregat , and Chinese Consul General Yang Guangsheng. Apolinario Mabini was also buried in the cemetery before his remains were transferred to Batangas .
Chong Hock Tong Temple (宗福堂)
Built in the 1850s, this is the oldest Chinese temple in Manila. Though not as elaborate, the architecture is still reminiscent of those in Fujian province as well as those in Singapore and Malaysia with their colorful friezes and uniquely upturned eaves.
temple gate with fu-dog
Second World War memorial
Crematorium
2nd Lt. Carlos Lopez of AFP grave and monument
Dr. Clarence Kuangson Young memorial shrine
He was the consul general from China in the Philippine island with Frangipani trees Plumeria rubra- alba growing around the memorial rotunda . A school was named after the consul general Dr. Kwangson Young Memorial School at 1044 Albuquerque in Barangay 7 Tondo, Manila.
Familia Maria Uy de Tee mausoleum
The family mausoleum looked like a mansion with its own gate
Familia Eusebio Tankeh mausoleum circa 1948
Paulino P. Gocheco mausoleum
This family mausoleum is a typical art deco architecture style
A champaka tree ( Michelia champaca ) growing beside the family mausoleum.
This tree is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia . It is best known for its strongly fragrant yellow or white flowers. It is however primarily cultivated for its timber, and is also used in urban landscaping . Its aril -covered seeds are highly attractive to birds .
Common names include champaca, champaka , champak or champac, champa, cempaka, sampenga, sampangi, sampige and shamba.
The flowers are used in Southeast Asia for several purposes. They are floated in bowls of water to scent the room, as a fragrant decoration for bridal beds, and for garlands and hair ointments. Old superstitious beliefs that unseen spirits may inhabit big champaka trees – spirits are usually attracted to fragrant smell emitted by the flowers .
Horticulturists and plant lovers may put cemeteries as ” one of their must been places to visit”. There are approximately several dozens species of plant varieties from trees, shrubs, ornamental plants that are planted all through out the cemetery.
a traditional Chinese style grave ( turtle shaped)
The turtle shell is the symbol of heaven and the flat square underside the symbol of earth. Based on this understanding, the turtle carries the world on its back. Being the symbol of fertility, vitality and great patience the Chinese believed these animals foretold future events and therefore, fortune tellers use turtles shell to read the future in the pattern on the turtle shell. In older grave sites of Okinawa , Taiwan , China, Malaysia and Korea you can still encounter this type of grave tomb site .
Visit the Filipino- Chinese families richly ornate buildings and mausoleum.
Manila Chinese Cemetery
Location :Felix Huertas Street corner Aurora Boulevard
Transportation : jeepney ride, tricycle , ( LRT- Blumentritt station) , pedicab
Opening Hours: 7.30 am to 7.00 pm daily.
Admission: Free.
Note: Tour guides are available ( offered by the cemetery) rates differ from Php 300 to Php 500 individual or group. But if you know someone with dead relatives or friends just hop along with them. Video taping is not allowed . ( permission must be sought)
* The author occasionally does a free walking tour around the area upon request by close friends or relatives.
(oct,26,2009)
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