A piece of Quiapo by Dianne Alvarez

     
     Without a drop by to the famous Quiapo Church, because of it's well known Black Nazarene would incomplete our walks around Manila.

     It is one of the most popular churches in the Philippines, it is also known as Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, a much adored statue of Jesus Christ that makes many people believe of the miraculous attributes.
The Quiapo church was built by the Franciscan Missionaries, it is also made in Nipa and Bambo. San Pedro Bautista was the founder of the Quiapo Church which image is located at the side niches of the church.
Appointed parish priest Bishop Hernando Antiporda was brutally murdered together with his assistant parish priest Rev. Fr. Raymundo Costales, in 1975.  It was believed that robbery is the motive. source


Plaza Miranda

     At usual look, Plaza Miranda is just a simple open space in the heart of quiapo crowded by busy people in and outside the Quiapo Church. For some, (since I'm not a Manileno) like my other friends who used to live in Manila it was an ordinary and day to day stop as they wait for their rides home.  And for some, a place where plain thiefs were all around,I wonder and stop at at the middle of this Plaza and asked " Is it just a Plain busy and quite dangerous plaza? . Until I learned how historic the place was from the statue erected inside the plaza where description about it is publicized. Plaza Miranda is actually a site and where people can freely speak and express their emotions and views. Thus, it is a square that served as political advances and rallies .

A crowd of about 4,000 had gathered in the Plaza Miranda, a popular political forum in the heart of downtown Manila's shopping and business district. They had turned out to hear speeches by Liberal Party candidates for Manila's mayoralty and for eight of the country's 24 Senate seats. It was a festive occasion; balloons floated through the evening air and spectators waved fans printed with the candidates' names and slogans. The makeshift stage, built with old kerosene drums and boards, was crammed with Liberal Party officials, the smiling candidates and their wives. On August 21,1971, while Liberal Party held their 'Miting de Avance' a bomb exploded killing 9, and injuring almost 100 civilians.

     This is how the Story goes:

     Just as the ceremonies were to begin, two hand-grenade blasts ripped apart the speakers' platform. The explosions brought instant death to eight spectators clustered near the platform, including a five-year-old child and Manila Times Photographer Ben Roxas. Virtually everyone on the stage was injured, including incumbent Senator Jovito Salonga, who is running for reelection; Liberal Party President Geraldo Roxas; and the Liberal Party's 1969 presidential candidate, Senator Sergio Osmeria Jr., who received critical head and chest wounds. President Ferdinand Marcos termed the bombing "a national tragedy." Who had caused the tragedy? Police believed that the hand grenades had been thrown by "leftist radicals" they had earlier noticed in the crowd. source

Experience the opportunity to be part of the historical "National Tragedy" in Plaza Miranda, 1971

  source


     Now, I made you experience a part of history through a puzzle piece of Manila: Binondo and Quiapo, I hope you learn and enjoy reading this post. But before I end this post I wanted to leave this:  Everything  has its History , but not everyone is willing to discover it.
     I and in behalf of the bloggers are glad that you are one who did much pay attention and let us make you travel back  in  history by reading this blog.
     Until next time!