What can I say? It's one of the most beautiful churches around the metro. It's huge in size, can…read moreaccommodate a large group of church goers, and airconditioned (a great bonus). What I love about this church is how beautiful the ceremonies are especially during the Holy Week. My family never fails to spend the first 2 days of the Easter Triduum at Christ the King because of the solemnity. It's extremely difficult to find parking during the Holy Week though, but on normal Sundays, you can find parking space 30 minutes before the mass. It's always difficult to leave the parking lot, though. I suggest you park nearest to the exit, and once the mass is over, sprint towards your car to leave ahead of everyone else.

I'm not Catholic, so I can't comment on the quality of the sermons here or anything in relation to…read moretheology, but I've been here on more than several occasions for wakes, baptisms, internments, masses, weddings and more. It was always a pleasant experience, emotions aside, from an objective standpoint. The staff here has done a fantastic job at maintaining the cleanliness, tidiness and brightness of the place. It feels very welcoming. Having said that, I would not hesitate for a second to recommend Christ the King as a venue for any of the aforementioned life or death events. Ample parking is available as well.

I haven't read the Bible cover to cover, but I'm quite sure there is nothing written about offering…read moreeggs for a fair weather (correct me if I'm wrong). Yet we Filipinos have a funny way of mixing superstition with religion. I've been to Monasterio de Santa Clara several times, and always with a carton of eggs with me. It has been believed that if you offer eggs to the nuns in that monastery, there are greater chances that it wouldn't rain on your event. I tested this belief a couple of times; the first one was for our wedding. We offered more than two dozen eggs a week before the big day, and not only did it not rain, it was freaking humid! All our guests were sweating in our outdoor venue. The following time was for my daughter's first birthday. We did the same routine praying for fair weather, but that day it rained... a lot! The monastery not only accept eggs but also other forms of donation, such as cash. And I think you can give the nuns your prayer intentions, not necessarily weather-relaated. I have some friends who went there to pray for success in their board exams, and some offer eggs for thanksgiving. I'm not sure if it this is a joke, but I heard that the nuns use the eggs to make Leche Flan or another dessert using eggs, and sell these to the public. Well, if the profits go to some sort of charity, then I see nothing wrong with continuing this tradition.

One of the stranger traditions that you encounter in Manila is the one where devotees of Monasterio…read moreDe Santa Clara would offer eggs so that their prayers and/or wishes would come true. Most of the people who go to the monastery located nearby Katipunan are brides who are wishing for good weather on their wedding day. It is said that by offering a dozen eggs, you'll get nice weather and clear skies for a day or two, which would be perfect for your wedding day. This of course, has no empirical basis whatsoever but it is one of the longest standing traditions in Manila. As such, there vendors on site who sell eggs by dozen, all wrapped neatly in colorful cellophane. One can only wonder what the nuns inside the monastery do with the eggs. I hope they don't die of high cholesterol. Even if you don't believe in such things, it's a nice gesture to do before your big day. Can't hurt, right?

Welcome to the Adventures of the Agnostic Catholic! This is where I review some of the churches…read moreI've been to and known, minus the point of view of a committed member of an organized religion. Santa Maria Della Strada Parish Church is not very well-known, despite the fact that it's just along Katipunan. It's the type of structure we pass by and go, "Oh. It's a church pala." PROS: Location-wise, it's quite accessible. It's right next to UP Town Center, and it's the only Catholic church I know that's along Katipunan (except for the church inside ADMU); I have a thing for low, circular churches like this one. I like those modern architectural and interior designs for churches because it enables ventilation and maximizes the view of the altar during religious ceremonies. CONS: On Sundays, traffic gets pretty heavy and roads get clogged along Katipunan and Pansol avenue. It's not very crowded inside the church itself, but it's a little difficult to maneuver and park vehicles in this area. TL;DR: I like Santa Maria Della Strada because of its beautiful structure and accessible location.

I suppose I've been going to CCF for quite some time now, ever since they were located at the top…read morefloor of a mall. I've always felt great about the greetings, the members, the sermon/teachings and the band and music are also very awesome. Now they've moved to their new location and it's just beautiful inside and out (reminded me of my visit to Pastor Prince's church in Singapore). The AC is probably my only complaint, it was freezing when we attended and I was clapping to show praise and keep warm at the same time. This is our favorite church in Metro Manila.

Such a nice and wonderful church to come too. I had a such a lovely time listings to the word of…read moreGod here at this wonderful church.

St Joseph Shrine is my wife's church when she grew up in Quezon City in Project 3. St Joseph is…read morelocated within 3 or 4 blocks from the home that she grew up in so it will always be first in her heart. She and her family are devout Catholics as are most Filipinos (86% Roman Catholic & 6% Christian religions & 2% Protestant). There is a growing Muslim minority in the southern Philippine island like Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan (about 4%). She was actually named Josephine after St Joseph, her brother after St Anthony, her other brother is Ed after Santo Edilberto. Her mom is Salvacion & her dad is Ressurection While we were in the Philippines we attended mass on a number of occasions me on Sunday and her almost everyday as she does here. It's a beautiful old church located in Quezon City.

I've always been seeing this church riding the LRT2 from Katipunan to the Cubao area, and I never…read morethought much of it, though I did think it was at unfortunate location being sandwiched between bigger buildings along the very narrow, busy Aurora Boulevard. I eventually got to make a visit to attend a Deaf mass for Filipino Sign Language immersion, and for that experience alone it can be worth it, as there are several select churches that cater to deaf and hard-of-hearing people. But other than that, the church has an old-timey, homey charm about it that are lost on other, more "modern" churches. Yes they're also still somewhat bedecked in gold and grandeur and it can be a little dim as the windows are mostly just on the wall facing the street, but I guess it's their cozy size and art deco-like style and structure that can draw you in. It can be a tad claustrophobic as it feels a little walled-in when you're inside, but it's pretty, if you have an appreciation of churches.

I'm not really amused by chapels inside shopping malls. In Christianity, there's this story about…read moreJesus Christ cleansing the Temple of people who turned it into a marketplace. But I digress. What I really wanted to say is that, finally, there's a mall chapel that I'm willing to favor. The San Pedro Calungsod Chapel at SM Aura Premier is unlike other places of worship inside malls. For one, there are no retailers or restaurants near the chapel. True, the Samsung Hall (a performance theater) is located on the same floor but it's on the far opposite side of a garden strip. The chapel is an ideal place for devout senior citizens, especially during summer, because it's air-conditioned and easily accessible. There is a small elevator on the 5th floor exclusively servicing churchgoers. But during my visit, I opted to use the stairs instead to allow more space to the senior citizens who were lining up for the elevator. It was a steep climb but it was worth all my effort. The dome-shaped chapel is a feast for the eyes. Its modern architecture and the bright ambient lighting give it that holy ground glow which is nothing short of spectacular. Everything in it -- from the simple altar to the amphitheater layout and the great acoustics -- can surely move a person to be silent and say a prayer or two. Masses are held twice a day at 12:00 noon and 6:00pm from Mondays to Saturdays. During Sundays, five masses are held and scheduled at 10:00am, 12:00 noon, 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm. Confessions are held daily after each mass. Baptisms, confirmations, and weddings are not allowed in the chapel.

If you are staying around Eastwood this church offers daily mass at 12:15pm. Their Sunday morning…read moremasses is 9:00 am and 10:15am. What I loved about this church is its more solemn compared to bigger churches I've been too.

One thing that I like about Eastwood City is that it has its own small Roman Catholic church right…read moreinside the complex. I'm talking about the St. John Paul II Parish on the underexposed side of Orchard Road. It's located in a low-traffic area, away from the malls and office buildings, so there's still a semblance of solemnity in the church even if it's inside a very busy commercial and residential environment. There's really nothing special about this church if you look at its architectural design. Its aesthetics are actually very simple and ordinary. The altar has a few embellishments and nothing over-the-top. So when you're inside this church, you will tend to focus on your prayers and not the beautiful or historical attributes of the structure. Another reason to like St. John Paul II Parish church is its air-conditioned altar and congregational area. This is a perfect place to contemplate and attend mass, especially during the hot summer months. The church is also ideal for baptisms and small weddings, particularly if the following reception is in Quezon City.

I was brought up an Atenean through and through so this place means a lot to me. On top of "The…read moreHill" (Ateneo) stands the iconic Church of the Gesu. Even before I started studying in Ateneo, I already felt like I belonged every time my dad would take me. Looking at it from the outside, you already get the feeling of its grandeur (although some people imagine a space ship!). The symmetry of its lines and the pureness of the white color just stands out from other churches I've seen. I'm farthest from the perfect catholic but each of my visits here I always feel at peace. It's quiet and (SOMETIMES ONLY) cool and windy, perfect for some reflection and alone time. I do try to still drop by when I have the time or when I need the time to be by myself, you should try it too! Also, it's great during Simbang Gabi time of year!

Stepping into the Gesu the first time as an Ateneo freshman was one of the hallmark memories of my…read morefirst year. The Gesu is an iconic part of the Ateneo community, and the masses held there are usually very well-done - the choir is excellent and the friendly Jesuit priests really know how to make a great homily. Even people who, more often than not, find their minds wandering during the homilies (guilty), at some point find themselves captivated by the homilies made in the Gesu, especially if said homily is being done by Fr. Jett, the director of the University and a legendary man based on his enormous talent as a lecturer. I attended one of his lectures on the economics of environmentalism - or something to that effect - and I was absolutely riveted, despite all my expectations to catch up on sleep inside the lecture hall. But Fr. Jett aside, another great part of the Gesu is the Simbang Gabi masses. They're a real treat, and there's usually a sort of fair or market going on in the Bellarmine fields afterwards. Not to mention the festive way they decorate the church for Christmas! Sometimes you can drop in and hear the heavenly chorus of the choir practicing, which certainly lends a holy atmosphere to your prayer session, and there are masses open to the public on Sunday mornings, so everyone, alumni or otherwise, can come together and celebrate mass. I find it to be a very beautiful church, with an equally beautiful community behind it.

Most of the time, we go to this particular church when we wish to hear mass. It's a nice,…read morerelatively small parish that still normally offers a lot of space for people despite its size. The way it's constructed also allows you an unobstructed view of the priest wherever you're seated. However, the place can get packed during important dates such as Easter Sunday and Christmas which makes it harder to find seats, especially later in the day when most people go to church. It can also get really hot during the summer because the place is open and it can only hold so many electric fans. But what's a little heat when you're listening to the Word of God? Amen? Amen!

The nearest church to my house is St. Paul the Apostle Church. Although relatively small, its…read moreconvenient location makes it very efficient for us to hear mass. While the church is not air-conditioned, there are plenty of fans that keep the sacred venue well-ventilated. For someone who has been going to this church for years, here are some tips you would thank me for. One, park not too close yet not too far. Getting out after the service can be quite tricky because of the traffic build-up. Park right in front of Daisy or Mario's. Two, hear mass during late afternoon or night schedule to avoid the harsh heat. Three, sit near an electric fan. I'm sure this does not need any explanation. Four, opt to sit in plastic chairs right outside the church, you'll get more air there. Five, know that this used to be a popular disco venue. Just a nice conversation starter to know.