Maria Katrina Paras

Article (news)

Manila Walking Tour

<p>Sunday mornings are perfect for going around <strong>Manila</strong>. Only a fraction of the usual workday vehicles are on the streets and, barring any major events or public demonstrations, not a lot of people are out. No one is rushing to get anywhere on this day of rest, which makes the<strong> LRT</strong> a good entry point to exploring the sights of the historic center on foot. Here&#x27;s where you should go:</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Paco Park</strong></div><p>Alighting at <strong>Pedro Gil Station</strong>, Paco Park is a relatively short walk up Taft Avenue, then a right turn at <strong>Padre Faura</strong>. Enclosing the park are two concentric walls with niches, which hint at the site’s original purpose as a cemetery in 19th century Manila. Some gravestones remain with inscriptions legible enough for a bit of Spanish language practice. The park may be compact in size, but it can comfortably fit groups of families, residents, and visitors enjoying the greenery, getting some exercise, or walking atop both the outer and inner walls. If you are inclined, the chapel of <strong>St. Pancratius</strong> inside the park is open on Sunday mornings for two masses at 10 and 11 am. Also inside the park are the original resting place of national hero <strong>Jose Rizal </strong>(before his remains were eventually transferred to the monument at Luneta), as well as a memorial marking the tomb of the <strong>Gomburza priests</strong>. Going out into San Marcelino Street, the <strong>Paco Fire station</strong>, which dates from the early 20th century, comes into view.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784693233047Paco Park.jpg" style="width:800px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Saint Vincent de Paul </strong></div><p>Further along San Marcelino Street (and admittedly quite a lengthy walk from Paco Park) is Saint Vincent de Paul Parish. The on-site historical marker states that the present church dates from 1912. As with other old buildings in the city, it was damaged during WWII and fortunately was restored afterward. It is a graceful structure that features a classic cruciform layout, and anyone going inside can rightfully lose a bit of time admiring the arches, vaulted ceiling, and impressive dome. Sunlight filtering through the stained glass creates a feeling of stepping inside a giant kaleidoscope. The church is within the complex of <strong>Adamson University</strong>, whose main building’s façade along the street is also worthy of a look.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784693517687Saint Vincent de Paul.jpg" style="width:800px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Taft Avenue</strong></div><p>Crossing over into Taft Avenue (either through the university’s walkway if open or through <strong>Kalaw Road</strong>) allows appreciating the surrounding area, including the rear section of <strong>Rizal Park </strong>with its sweep of the <strong>National Museum Complex’</strong>s neoclassical buildings. Also nearby are the <strong>American colonial structures of Philippine Normal University</strong>, its tree-lined section of <strong>Ayala Boulevard</strong>, and further on, <strong>Manila City Hall</strong> with its emblematic <strong>clock tower</strong>.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Arroceros Forest Park</strong></div><p>Cutting through Antonio Villegas Street, past the<strong> LRT’s Central Terminal Station </strong>lies <strong>Arroceros Forest Park</strong>. After clocking in all those steps, a refreshing break is in order. Fortunately, a quaint outdoor coffee shop (<strong>Pekaps sa Gedli</strong>) is right along the outer edge of the park. Their al fresco seating also allows for prime views of the fantastically art deco <strong>Metropolitan Theater</strong> just a few steps away.</p><p>Entering Arroceros Forest Park is a pleasantly jarring experience of moving away from the chaos of the streets. The site is more forest than park, with trees seemingly growing wild, trying to outdo each other in reaching for the sky. In the deeper parts of the park, as one loses sight of the city structures, it is easy to imagine being in the woods rather than being across the river from <strong>Quiapo</strong>. After some forest bathing, the next decision is whether to walk back to Central Terminal Station to ride the train home or, if time and energy allow, head on to the <strong>Pasig River Esplanade</strong> from within the park and continue to <strong>Binondo</strong> or <strong>Intramuros</strong>.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784693976248Arroceros forest park.jpg" style="width:800px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>With <strong>districts full of character </strong>and an <strong>undeniable sense of history </strong>spanning the country’s colonial, postwar, and present eras, a Sunday morning walking around Manila provides an interesting break from the usual weekend shopping or series binge-watching. Despite the city’s charms, though, spotty maintenance, underinvestment in infrastructure, and at times a lack of security sabotage what should otherwise be an uplifting experience. It’s hard to fully enjoy the bright spots that are left when you’re always hypervigilant for what can trip you on the sidewalk (if there even is one) or if anyone’s trying to help themselves to your belongings. A bigger issue is if there is any assurance of the continued existence of the treasures that remain. Case in point, even the trees present today may all be cut down tomorrow.</p><p>If more people see the inherent beauty that is still there and demand that more should be taken care of, maybe we can move into the future with the great things we have already inherited rather than tear everything down. </p>

<p>A Sunday morning walking around Manila provides an interesting break from the usual weekend shopping or series binge-watching.</p>

A Sunday morning walking around Manila provides an interesting break from the usual weekend shopping or series binge-watching.

Be a Tourist in Your Own Country: A Sunday Stroll in Manila

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Be a Tourist in Your Own Country: A Sunday Stroll in Manila

John Ernest Proctor

Published July 22, 2026 12:00 PM PHT

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Updated July 22, 2026 01:05 PM PHT

Read More:

Travel

Manila

Manila Walking Tour

Where to Go in Manila

Where to Walk in Manila

Taft Avenue

Arroceros Forest Park

Paco Park

Saint Vincent de Paul

Metropolitan Museumof Manila

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