Must-visit churches in Manila for Simbang Gabi

For that Simbang Gabi moment,  these are the must-visit churches in Manila with your loved ones. I love love these churches because there is a food stall with the traditional eats puto bumbong and bibingka available right after the mass. 


It's such a treat to sleep in these days with the cool breeze of December mornings coming through the walls of our rooms. But many Filipinos would surely brave the cold temperature to attend a mass at four in the morning once the Simbang Gabi season begins.  

Simbang Gabi is one of the favorite Filipino Christmas traditions which starts on the 16th of December and ends on the 24th of December--the eve of Christmas day. Many locals believe that if you complete the nine dawn masses, your prayers and wishes will be granted. But others troop to churches to bond with their families and friends and enjoy freshly cooked bibingka or puto bumbong  after hearing the mass. 

If you're in Manila, you're in luck because of the abundance of churches, accessible by the LRT-1 line, you can visit for Simbang Gabi. 

Check out the top five picks of ikotMNL:

1. Baclaran Church


(Photo from Baclaranchurch.org)

The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, more famously known as the Baclaran Church, is one of the oldest, historical, and go-to church for Simbang Gabi in southern Manila. The vast and towering cathedral is perfect for Christmas feels and vibes, and is easily accessed through the LRT-1 Baclaran station.

2. Malate Church


Malate Church (Photo from Malatechurch.org)

The beautiful stone-wrought Malate Church, also known as the Our Lady of Remedies Parish, is hard to miss—it’s still one of the most beautiful structures Malate. Just take the LRT-1 Quirino station for a quick ride to the church.

3. San Sebastian Church


(Photo by Judgefloro on Wikimedia Commons)

Ever wanted to feel like you were going to Christmas mass somewhere in Europe? Look no further than the Basilica Menor de San Sebastian, also known as the San Sebastian Church. The historic and only all-steel church in the Philippines isn’t far from the LRT-1 United Nations station. It is also one of the most beautiful shrines you can visit in Manila, even after the Simbang Gabi season.

4. San Agustin Church


 (Photo by bigberto on Wikimedia Commons)

Manila is not short on glorious churches, and two of them can be found inside our famous Walled City. Head to Intramuros via the LRT-1 Central Terminal and go to the San Agustin Church, one of the oldest and most popular parishes inside the historic city. 

5. Binondo Church

 (Photo by Patrick Roque on Wikimedia Commons)

Manila’s busiest shopping district is also home to another glorious minor basilica, the Binondo Church. For religious history buffs, it’s an important place for Filipino Christianity because its serves as the home parish of Filipino saint Lorenzo Ruiz. Get down at the LRT-1 Carriedo  station and ride a tricycle going to Binondo to reach this Manila landmark.

Easily get around Manila when you download the ikotMNL app to help you check the LRT-1 train schedule, crowd situation, advisories, and more! Download it on App Store or Google Play and follow @ikotMNL on Instagram!

If you’re a daily LRT-1 commuter download ikotMNL for free on the App Store or Google Play and start traveling better!

If youre a commuter like me you know that the only means of transportation today is either you ride the LRT/MRT , jeepney,  and if you have the money to spend, Grab. 

Most of the time, I always choose to ride the LRT.  Its safe, (if youre coming from Roosevelt, like me) fast, and saves you a lot of your precious time. 

Just because I live from QC. I usually ride from the Roosevelt station going to South. To save me from siksikan and let me choose my seat. 

LRT ride is stress-free (at least for me during the non-rush hour),  and lets you avoid the hellish traffic in Manila.

Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) recently launches the ikotMNL app at Islas Pinas. It was attended by LRMC executives. 

Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the private operator of LRT-1 train line, has officially released the brand-new and free ikotMNL mobile app featuring a convenient one-stop information for commuters and tourists traveling along the route of LRT-1 in Metro Manila. 

The ikotMNL app, available for both iOS and Android devices, equips passengers to plan their trips and commutes ahead. The app's core features include real-time train arrivals and departures, fare information, crowd monitoring in twenty stations of LRT-1, tourist spots, safety reminders, passenger advisories, news and announcements, a chat box for customer service assistance and a feedback form to help improve train service and passenger experience.

LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso emphasized the value of innovation in LRMC. "This is the first railway and tourism app in the Philippines. We constantly look for modern ways to change the way we move people and this ikotMNL app is an innovative tool to delight our passengers with a comfortable, safe, and convenient experience when riding the LRT-1."

The ikotMNL app also promotes local tourism with detailed directions on tourist spots near LRT-1 stations and information about partnered local tour operators who are more than willing to show tourists the best places for sightseeing and great spots to dine and shop in Manila.

According to Alfonso, promoting local tourism in the nation’s capital is made easier with the help of ikotMNL app. “We are excited to be part of tourists’ Manila adventures with ikotMNL app and the LRT-1,” he said.

The beauty of the ikotMNL app comes with its unified purpose of being an urban mobility app, transport app, and eventually, a lifestyle app—all in one package.

“We’ve spent a considerable amount of time and effort into making the ikotMNL app the best it can be and this early, we already have more features in mind to add to the app. It is our way to keep improving it so that those who have downloaded and yet to download the ikotMNL mobile app may continue to enjoy using it," said LRMC Corporate Communications Head Jacqueline Gorospe.

The future upgrade plans for the app include partnership with beep card and QR codes for fares and tie-ups with merchants.

So whether you’re a daily LRT-1 commuter or just looking to take a much-needed trip to the best of Manila, download ikotMNL for free on the App Store or Google Play and start traveling better! Te’na, tren na!