Manila's jeepney route is a chaotic mix of routes that overlap, with no central site with information on all the routes, not even the the Land Transportation Office doesn't have one, typical of Philippine government offices who're not doing their jobs right or efficiently yet demand bonuses and salary increase every time.

Tutubi, during his student years in the University Belt, and being an electronics engineering student, frequented Quiapo and explored it's nooks and crannies and has a still working knowledge of the place.

As a start, here's a screenshot of a detailed map of Quiapo Church, Manila made possible by OpenStreetMap. For an online map, click here



Places to See in Quiapo, Manila:

Quiapo Church: fortune tellers, pamparegla (abortifacients), agimat, anting-anting, talismans, herbal medicines (e.g. pito-pito),
Plaza Miranda
Golden Mosque
San Sebastian Church
Nakpil - Bautista House
Quinta Market: native crafts and souvenirs at low prices (be prepared to haggle)

Quiapo Major Streets, Landmarks, Shopping Tips and Attractions

Quezon Boulevard: balisong, swords (kris, kampilan), tools (agaw sunog), motorcycles, helmets, bikes, used CD, toys, surplus appliances
Raon Street (Gonzalo Puyat): Electronics shops, parts and repair service centers
Evangelista St: Power generators, pumps
Pedro Paterno St: cheap yet quality eyeglasses (value for money optometrists and eyewear shops)
Hidalgo St: cameras, photography equipment (includes Padre Garcia Street)
Arlegui/Villalobos
Carlos Palanca
Carriedo (near LRT Carriedo Station, SM Clearance Outlet and Isetann)
Soler, Bilibid Viejo, S.H. Loyola,

Foodie Destinations in Quiapo (Frugal Food Finds)

Globe Lumpia on Raon st (at the
Ma Mon Luk mami and siopao
Moud's Chicken Halal on Globo de Oro St.

Quiapo Jeepney Routes

This is an attempt to document all the jeepney routes that pass by Quiapo, strategically located at the heart of Manila crossed by Quezon Boulevard, bounded by the districts of Sta. Cruz to the west, San Miguel to the east, Ermita to the south (Pasig River crossed by Quezon Bridge) and Sampaloc to the north. Landmarks are enclosed in square brackets:

Quiapo - Pasig: Quezon Blvd coming from under Quiapo Bridge, right to C.M. Recto, left to Legarda [Mendiola, Nagtahan Bridge], Ramon Magsaysay Blvd, right to V. Mapa, left to Shaw Boulevard [Kalentong, EDSA Shaw Boulevard Station, Crossing, EDSA Central], Pasig Simbahan

Quiapo - Balic-balic: Hidalgo Street [ from San Sebastian Church] right to , left to Legarda, left to Earnshaw (Bustillos)[Bustillos Church], [Funeraria Oro], [Nagtahan Flyover] right G. Tuazon up to the Balic-balic terminal.

Quiapo - Dapitan: Quezon Boulevard, [Central Market, Manila City Jail], [UST], [Dangwa] right turn Mayon St [Dapitan Arcade] right Laong Laan for the return trip to Quiapo (both Dapitan and Laong Laan are one-way streets)

Quiapo - Blumentritt Dimasalang: Quezon Boulevard, [Central Market, Manila City Jail], [UST], Dimasalang Street [Dangwa], Blumentritt [Blumentritt Market, Chinese General Hospital, Manila North Cemetery]

Quiapo - Project 2-3: Quezon Blvd, right to Lerma, left to Espana [UST, Forbes/Lacson, Trabajo (M. Dela Fuente), Vicente Cruz, PNR Espana Station, Maceda, Blumentritt], Quezon Avenue [Mabuhay/Welcome Rotonda], right E. Rodriguez [Quezon Institute (QI)] left Tomas Morato [gasoline station], right Kamuning cross EDSA [MRT GMA-Kamuning station], Kamias Road

Quiapo - Project 4: Quezon Blvd, right Lerma, Espana [UST], Quezon Avenue [Mabuhay/Welcome Rotonda], right E. Rodriguez [Quezon Institute (QI)] all the way to EDSA Cubao [MRT Araneta Center-Cubao Station, LRT 2 Cubao Station, Farmer's Market, Project 4

Quiapo - Project 6: Quezon Blvd, right Lerma, left Espana [UST], Quezon Avenue [Mabuhay/Welcome Rotonda], left West Avenue (a U-turn on Quezon Avenue), EDSA U-turn [SM City North EDSA, Trinoma, MRT North Avenue station, (note: bus conductors on EDSA call this corner Paramount], right North Avenue [SM The Block], left Mindanao Avenue [Veterans Golf Course] PAGASA

Quiapo - Project 7: Quezon Blvd, right Lerma, left Espana [UST], Quezon Avenue [Mabuhay/Welcome Rotonda], left Roosevelt (actually a U-turn on Quezon Avenue), right Del Pilar [Veteran's Village/Project 7, SM City Annex] (no more sightings of this jeepney route for quite some time)

Quiapo - Project 8: Quezon Blvd, right Lerma, left Espana [UST], Quezon Avenue [Mabuhay/Welcome Rotonda], left Roosevelt (actually a U-turn on Quezon Avenue), right EDSA [Munoz Market, Walter Mart North EDSA] U-turn, right Congressional Avenue, left Shorthorn, Road 20, General Avenue

Quiapo - Cubao: Quezon Blvd, right Lerma [FEU], Espana [UST], Quezon Avenue [Mabuhay/Welcome Rotonda], right E. Rodriguez [Quezon Institute (QI)] all the way to EDSA Cubao [MRT Araneta Center-Cubao Station, LRT 2 Cubao Station, Farmer's Market, Gateway Mall, SM, Plaza Fair, Isetann, Ali Mall, Cubao Bus Terminal]

Quiapo - Cubao via Sta. Mesa: Quezon Blvd, right C.M. Recto, left Legarda [Bustillos, Nagtahan Bridge], Ramon Magsaysay Blvd [SM City Sta. Mesa (SM Centerpoint)], Aurora Boulevard all the way to EDSA Cubao [MRT Araneta Center-Cubao Station, LRT 2 Cubao Station, Farmer's Market, Gateway Mall, SM, Plaza Fair, Isetann]

Quiapo - Fairview: Quezon Blvd, right Lerma, left Espana [UST], Quezon Avenue [Mabuhay/Welcome Rotonda, MRT Quezon Avenue Station] Elliptical Road (Circle)[ Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City Hall], right Commonwealth Avenue [SM City Fairview]

Quiapo - Lealtad: Hidalgo Street, left Bautista Street (Barbosa), right S.H. Loyola (Lealtad) . this route takes the (Lepanto) for the return trip due to S.H. Loyola is a one-way street.

Quiapo - San Miguel: the jeepney going to Malacanang and St. Jude starts at Quinta Market Globo de Oro [Golden Mosque]

Quiapo - Punta Sta Ana: Quezon Blvd, right C.M. Recto, left Legarda [Nagtahan Bridge], Ramon Magsaysay Blvd [Stop and Shop, PUP], right V. Mapa, right New Panaderos (Kalentong), right Felix Manalo [after The Market Place/Arellano University/Puregold Kalentong and before Lambingan Bridge]

Quiapo - Divisoria - North Harbor: Sales St, left to C.M. Recto [Aranque Market, Tutuban Center], Divisoria right up to Radial Road and North Harbor (Pier)

Quiapo Ilalim jeepneys make a U-turn under Quezon Bridge that's why it's Ilalim (Filipino word for "under").

Quiapo Pier jeepneys cross Quezon Bridge then turn right at the foot towards Intramuros, pass by Bureau of Immigration, Manila Cathedral, out into Anda Circle, the entrance of South Harbor (Pier), Manila Hotel (and the way to Manila Ocean Park) then turn left on Burgos St [Manila Planetarium, old Senate Building, now National Art Gallery, Manila City Hall, Mehan Garden, Lawton/Liwasang Bonifacio, Park N Ride,Metropolitan Theater (The Met)] back to Quezon Bridge and Quiapo.

Pasay Taft Libertad Baclaran just pass by Taft Avenue up to Baclaran passing by Remedios Taft PGH; Vito Cruz and Buendia (Sen. Gil Puyat)

Jeepneys with Mabini signboards cross Quezon Bridge then turn right on Burgos St, left going to Rizal Park (Luneta) right on T.M. Kalaw then left Mabini St (this is a one-way street, M.H. del Pilar serves the return trips) up to either Harrison Plaza/ Vito Cruz, Libertad or Baclaran (this is one way to commute to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for passport applications and renewals)

Those with Taft on their signboards cross Quezon Bridge and will traverse Taft Avenue up to the farthest one posted on the signboard which can be: Kalaw, Herran (Pedro Gil), Remedios, PGH (Philippine General Hospital), Vito Cruz (Pablo Ocampo), Buendia (Gil Puyat), Libertad, EDSA Rotonda, and Baclaran.

Quiapo -Kalaw jeeps cross Quezon Bridge [Lawton/Liwasang Bonifacio, Post Office Building, Manila City Hall], proceed under Lagusnilad Bridge to Taft Avenue [Philippine Normal University (PNU), Sta. Isabel College, the old site of Jai Alai Building (demolished on the order of heritage-blind former Manila mayor Lito Atienza), Masagana Department Store] then turn right on T.M. Kalaw then right on Burgos St in the middle of Rizal Park/Luneta, going back to Manila City Hall, Metropolitan Theater, Quezon Bridge and back in Quiapo.

Bus Lines passing by Quiapo, Manila:

PVP Liner Route (Manila to Ayala Avenue, Makati): Quiapo Church, Manila City Hall, Taft Avenue, right Osmena Highway, left Gil Puyat (Buendia), right Makati Avenue, right Ayala Avenue

G Liner (Manila to Cainta Rizal via Ortigas, San Juan): Quiapo, (Northbound Quezon Boulevard), right C.M. Recto Avenue, left to Legarda [Mendiola, CEU], pass Bustillos [Jollibee], pass Lacson (Gov. Forbes0 flyover, Ramon Magsaysay Blvd, right Araneta Avenue [SM City Sta. Mesa], left N. Domingo, right ORtigas Avenue, pass Greenhills Shopping Center, cross EDSA Ortigas flyover [POEA, Robinsons Galleria, Corinthians, MRT Ortigas Avenue Station], pass Frontera Verde, Tiendesitas, cross C5 (IPI), cross Ortigas Bridge and Rosario Bridge, right Imelda Avenue [cainta junction] to Cainta town proper

RRCG Transport (Manila to Taytay, Rizal via Ortigas, San Juan): Quiapo, (Northbound Quezon Boulevard), right C.M. Recto Avenue, left to Legarda [Mendiola, CEU], pass Bustillos [Jollibee], pass Lacson (Gov. Forbes0 flyover, Ramon Magsaysay Blvd, right Araneta Avenue [SM City Sta. Mesa], left N. Domingo, right ORtigas Avenue, pass Greenhills Shopping Center, cross EDSA Ortigas flyover [POEA, Robinsons Galleria, Corinthians, MRT Ortigas Avenue Station], pass Frontera Verde, Tiendesitas, cross C5 (IPI), cross Ortigas Bridge and Rosario Bridge, pass cainta Junction, left to Tikling then to SM Taytay then Taytay town proper

Notes:

Square Brackets [] are used to denote landmarks on this page to distinguish them from streets, avenues and boulevards. The ends of the route may be inaccurate particularly those going to the exact streets of Quezon City but the main roads traversed are all accurate as fas as Tutubi's knowledge and actual experience.

Related Posts:

How to Get to Manila City Hall
How to get to Fort Santiago
Jose Rizal and the Streets of Sampaloc, Manila
How to Get to US Embassy Manila
How to Get to Divisoria

Labels: Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Public Transportation, Quiapo

The trip to Liliw, Laguna was an eye opener for me since I was taking pictures of those kawai green floating plants that remind me of my childhood in ricefields and on the shores of Laguna de Bay. My ate who saw me remarked, "Pati ba naman yang kiapo kinukunan mo ng picture? (You take pictures even of that water cabbage?)," when it dawned on me that those floating plants were actually what I was searching for for some time now.

All the while I thought they're called azolla that I see almost everyday floating on a pond in Ayala Triangle! :(

Some of you may ask why but these plants used to thrive in the area of Manila now called Quiapo, the seedy yet exciting district of Manila that I love to visit!

Kiapo, water cabbage in english and scientific name Pistia Stratiotes, have fan-like leaves and brown, porous ends servings as roots and grow floating on stagnant water. Large concentrations of these floating plants make good hiding places for surface fishes like gouramies (freshwater fish species introduced in the Philippines possibly from Thailand).

Kiapo plants near 25 centavo coins to give you an idea of their size (taken somewhere in Biak-na-bato National Park in Bulacan)

Now, all I need to look for and take actual pictures of is the elusive Nilad tree, a certain species of mangrove (bakawan) that used to grow profusely in Manila and where Manila got its name.

I blogged/joked some time ago that Manila should change its name to Walang Nila since there are no longer Nila trees growing in the city; I don't think I can also joke about that when the same proposition applies also to Quiapo's long lost kiapo dwellers.

Quiapo attractions:

1. Quiapo Church - Church of the Black Nazarene where the fiesta is held every 9th of February. Within the vicinity of this church you can buy various herbal medicines including abortifacients. Also fortune tellers using tarot cards ply their trade here. Quite ironic for a place of worship
2. Plaza Miranda
3. Hidalgo Street- where you can buy cheap cameras, lenses, tripods, and other photographic supplies and equipment
4. Raon (Gonzalo Puyat) - electronics, parts, musical instruments, trophies, hardware tools et al
5. San Sebastian Church- an all-steel church in Asia, built in Belgium, and designed by the company of Gustave Eiffel
6. Bahay Nakpil-Bautista on Calle Barbosa (now A. Bautista Street)
7. Manila Golden Mosque on Globo de Oro St.
8. Villalobos and Bautista: sidestreets full of pirated DVDs, CDs and bootlegged materials
9. Evangelista St where to buy industrial pumps and generators
10. Ronquillo St where to buy cheap eyeglasses and optical supplies

Please refer also to my earlier blog post about this here where a picture of the Nila (not Nilad) is posted.

How to Get to Quiapo

Labels: Flora and Fauna, Manila, Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Quiapo

In a rare occasion where we toured Quiapo looking for a printing press, not like my usual haunt searching for electronic stuff, music, eyeglasses or photo equipment. Quiapo still retain the same aura it has during my college days.

After scouring various shops for various finds, we decided to proceed to people "infested" and traffic-burdened street formely called Azcarraga. We passed by the pedestrianized part of Avenida Rizal to our left while the soon-to-be-demolished Galaxy Theater to our right.It's ironic that such building considered exquisite in its time and the work of National Artist Pablo Antonio will soon face the wrath of a demolition ball. Nearby is the now demolished Avenue Theater which is the work of another national artist Juan Nakpil. The two buildings are to be converted into parking lots.

My country honors National Artists but doesn't make an effort to preserve their work for posterity's sake!

We were caught in heavy traffic and when we realized the futility if squirming through it, we decided instead to make a 180 degree turn towards Morayta. There we passed by the newly-restored FEU building partly designed by Pablo Antonio that won the UNESCO 2005 Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Awards.

Previous winnersof this prestigious award were Gota de Leche in Sampaloc and Nielsen Tower in Makati.

Manila, mostly decaying, and most of it destroyed by Japanese demolition and American carpet bombing seem unmindful of the fast disappearing heritage.Notable of these are the Jai Alai building and San Lazaro Hippodrome,now an SM mall aggravated by a mayor that value modernityand not heritage conservation.

How can we as a nation move forward if we treat the past with apathy? We can't even remember our history written by Filipinos and not by our conquerors.

The media only reported mostly and sensationalized FPJ's family's refusal to attend the awards ceremony for national artists and not the more important news of the meritorius achievements of the other awardees.

With this attitude, does it look like the works of the new national awardees will also suffer the same fate as that of the earlier awardees?

I can't imagine BenCab's Tam-awan village in Baguio being converted to another parking lot or subdivision.

btw, did you notice I don't have pictures? My goodness, I didn't bring my EOS 300D while my Ixus 30 bled dry after a few clicks :-(

Labels: Manila Bay, National Artists, Quiapo, UNESCO