What we did in the Philippines, part 2: Manila

Once we returned to the capital from Bicol, we spent three more days with Justin and Erin, staying in their condo and seeing all the sights they see on a weekly basis. It was great to hang out with them again, and it was also very interesting to discover more of Manila. I thought it was a fascinating city.

Our flight from Bicol to Manila landed Friday afternoon. After cleaning up, we headed to a concert that Justin had purchased tickets for before we had arrived. I was excited to learn it was a Passion production, Passion being a U.S.-based ministry for college students that includes top names in Christian music such as Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman. We got to see Tomlin and another artist, Kristian Stanfill, and a guy named Louie Giglio spoke. It was just the spiritual refresher we both needed, even though Dori's camera was pick-pocketed afterwards. That little bit of spiritual warfare only worked for about fifteen minutes, and although we are still sad she lost her images from Nanchang through Bicol, it didn't dampen the amazing night of worship we enjoyed in Manila.

I didn't take my camera to the Passion show, but we took a few photos of our cool wristbands the next day. On one side they said, "Passion Manila," and on the other, "Passion Kuala Lumpur"--the next city they were taking the tour. We were to turn our wristbands inside out to remember to lift up the Malaysians on Sunday night.

We did a little bit of sightseeing over the weekend, including this Starbucks built into the wall of a 16th-Century district known as "Intramuros." More than 400 years ago, the Spanish built a walled city to keep out the hostile natives; in 2008, invaders from Seattle invite hostile coffee addicts into the very walls of the old walled city. (Despite my cynicism, I'll be the first to admit that it was pretty cool.)

One of the more interesting forms of transportation in Manila are the jeepnies (see my picture in a previous post of an ungodly-looking vehicle with a "Jamaica" sign on the front). They are like taxis, except that they have defined routes. Up to 19 people can be crammed in, and they usually are.

Being an intensely Catholic country, no visit to Manila would be complete without a stop in one of its venerable cathedrals. This one was dubbed a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II during his visit to the Philippines in January 1995.

This is the guy who holds the holy water:

After visiting the basilica, we headed over to Luneta Park, which just so happens to have been the site of the largest papal gathering ever--4 to 5 million people during John Paul II's 1995 visit, according to Wikipedia. Not to be outdone, Justin and Rowell lead a Bible study of about five to 10 homeless men every week in Luneta Park. It sounds small, but it's a good bet that no one else is doing what they do, and we were blessed to see a glimpse into Justin's heart for the homeless of Manila. Here is the small piece of real estate where they hold court once a week:

In keeping with the theme of this summer's travels in Asia, Dori and I were privileged to visit two unique but similar shelters on our last day in Manila: a government home for abused women and children, and a Catholic orphanage. At the government home, where Calvary Chapel Manila visits every Sunday after church, I was not allowed to take photos that showed the faces of the women and children staying there, out of fear that an abusive relative would be trying to locate them on the Internet. But I still got several wonderful shots.


The good people of Calvary Manila bring food, teach and play games at this home once a week; please lift them up as they endeavor to spread joy and hope among a group united by so many tragedies.


The last stop we made on Sunday was the Catholic orphanage where Jon lives. Jon is the 10-year-old orphan Justin and Erin are trying to adopt. He stays with them on the weekends, and they take him back to the the orphanage on Sunday. It was so much fun--but also heart-wrenching--to escort Jon and Erin to the orphanage, where about 20 boys greeted us with huge smiles. It didn't take long for the wrestling to commence.


Our time in the Philippines was so rich and powerful; we can't wait to return next year. We owe a big thank you to Justin and Erin for hosting us and showing us all the best parts of the beautiful country they now call home. Please remember them in your prayers, along with the amazing people they have moved across the globe to serve. We'll see you guys again soon.