Quiapo ng Puso Ko

02/10/2026

Museum date when? 📚💖

In Quiapo, neglected heritage houses are slowly activated into small hidden art museums, not only to attract guests but to allow a stage to tell the story of the Quiapeneses. It shows that even in the most unexpected places, arts and culture can thrive.

We invite our followers to visit our neighbors in Quiapo and understand the district's colorful history.

For more info, leave us a private message, or like and follow to stay tune to upcoming events!

22/09/2026

ARCHITECTURE FIT FOR OUR CLIMATE: The Arcade/Colonade

One of the most fascinating works the Spanish left in the Philippines was how their architects and engineers, using their experiences abroad, learned from local climate; calculated its weather patterns and how adaptation will help improve community's overall use of its space.

While the concept of arcaded sidewalks are not unique to the Philippines, it was shown to be very fitting for the country. Houses especially the wealthy would include extending their properties over the sidewalk with the upper floors covering over it, sometimes supported by arches and collumns (hence arcades).

Paired with well thought-out Urban planning, the covered sidewalks would be protected by both the pouring rain and harsh sunlight throughiout the day. Businesses continue despite the weather and people had a safe path to get to their destination. The Americans would take note of this and build arcaded and colonaded structures in the busier areas of Manila especially in Art-Deco theaters aplenty Rizal Avenue up to Recto.

Unfortunately, with ever-growing congested cities, the very sidewalks that sheltered pedestrians and shops would also shelter the homeless and criminals. Arcades became foul-smelling dens of poverty and are avoided by everyone. The National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096) now require a setback for new buildings and prevent encroachment of public property. The recent earthquakes also question the safety of covered sidewalks as people doubt the structural integrity of some buildings.

However, with the right determination and financial support, the very dreaded arcades/colonades can become a source of life once again. As for the case of the Laperal Apartments or YOU.suites, the 1946 post-war Art Deco building located at Azcarraga or now Claro M. Recto Avenue fell in disrrepair and was a dark and dangerous corner for U-Belt students in the 2000s. In 2018, the Laperal Apartments was renovated and the entire block has become a haven for students to relax and unwind. The sidewalk, now fitted with lighting, roaming security and paved tiles, is lined with airconditioned cofee-shops and stores akin to streets of the streets of Makati. Inside the Art-deco building is the L.A. Village, a mini-mall decorated with vintage accesories and in its center a World-War I fighter plane hanging from the ceiling!

While this area is not particularly in Quiapo, its change is a welcome avenue for students and tourists to cross Sampaloc and onto Quiapo. We hope to see transfomations like these to the rest of Manila. If the new Laperal Apartments owner manage to do this in a chaotic place like Recto, what more for other owners to the rest of the city?

(c) 2000s image from bluprint-onemega | 2026 photo from Peter Danielle Rallos

14/09/2026

FAITH AS STRONG AS STEEL.

The Minor Basilica and Parish of Saint Sebastian, commonly known as the San Sebastian Basilica is undergoing a major restoration to address its centuries-long damages caused by rust/corrosion with workers scaling the scaffolding despite the abrupt changes in weather.

The only fabricated all-steel church in the country, it was completed in 1891 as a response to design an earthquake-resilient church after the previous one, built by stone and brick was destroyed.

Contrary to urban rumors, the church was NOT designed by Gustave Eiffel, however he did supply the metal framework to anoth church in Manila, the lost San Ignacio Church in Intramuros.

The restoration is undergone by the San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation, Inc. Last year, as part of Phase 1, restoration and repair works on the dome of the basilica was completed.

14/09/2026

KWENTUHAN SA PAGODA

Last Friday, QNPK headed by Professor Fernando Zialcita with students from Ateneo de Manila University, held a simple kwentuhan with the residents of Quiapo at the Ocampo Pagoda. They are asked to draw on a short bond paper, their “Dream for Quiapo” what changes they hope to see tin the neighborhood.

Among those discussed were the issues of homelessness and the expensive housing catered to foreigners and other transient residents; changing the demographic from a well-knit neighborhood of familiar faces. There is also a need to create a better sense of community, with the Pagoda playing a role as a tourist attraction for local businesses and as a prayer center. Others have lamented the lack of public spaces for children to play basketball or volleyball as most are used for parking.

29/08/2026

Quiapo's natural flood control project.

Stay safe out there!

27/08/2026

Every home has a story; not every heritage house has a marker.

06/08/2026

Always something new to look forward to in Quiapo

20/06/2026

WE’RE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS THIS COMING ARAW NG MAYNILA!

June 20, 2026
BAHAY NAKPIL-BAUTISTA: PAMANA SERIES 2026 : June 24, Wednesday, ARAW NG MAYNILA

25 artists present "SULYAP SA QUIAPO – QUIAPO CAPTURED IN PAINTINGS" - a two week special exhibit at the gallery of the Padilla Ancestral House at R. Hidalgo Street in the historic district of Quiapo.

Featured are two artists -- Manny Padilla, Gallery owner; and BD Villareal, a Quiapense (a native of Quiapo, taga-Quiapo, batang / laking Quiapo.

The 25 artists’ images of Quiapo are depicted in different forms of art.

Their art works are exhibited in one place that is large, spacious and quiet, an anti-thesis of the competing loudness of jeepneys, tricyles and buses, chaotic powerlines, and the colorful, fun that is Quiapo, with spirituality weaving through its daily life.

The Quiapo ng Puso Ko Inc. and its members mention with deep appreciation: Associate Professor Mary Ann Bulanadi, PHD, UST, Curator / BD Villareal / Ding Royales / Sandra Herber.

If you are looking to browsing or purchasing Quiapo-inspired artwork, Welcome !

Sulyap opens on June 24, Wednesday from 4p.m. to 8p.m.
And every other day from June 25 until July 4, from 1pm to 4pm.

16/06/2026

Abangan @ 2PM! Our very own Dr. Peter Danielle Rallos ikkwento ang kahalagahan ng ating mga matatapang na bombero!

The First Fire Department of the country, The Manila Fire Department!

Trivia: One of the oldest and most intact pre-war fire station in the country is located in Quiapo!

01/06/2026

ANG SUSUNOD NA KABANATA!

Come hungry. Leave emotionally attached to Quiapo.
We’re bringing back Hapag Kainan sa Lumang Quiapo with a brand new route through old houses of Licauco and Legazpi, hidden streets, merienda tables, revolutionary stories, and one very memorable lunch buffet inside Bahay Nakpil.

Heritage houses
Manila Heritage cuisine
Muslim Town delicacies

Stories you won’t hear in textbooks
This is NOT your usual food crawl.
No curated aesthetic cafés.
No fake “old Manila” vibe.
No manufactured nostalgia.

Just real streets, real stories, real heritage houses, and really good food.
Hapag Kainan sa Lumang Quiapo returns this June with a new route through Licauco, Legazpi, and Bahay Nakpil.

Come for the food.
Stay for the stories.
Help save Quiapo while you’re at it.

And yes, every ticket helps support the heritage preservation efforts of Quiapo ng Puso Ko Inc.
June 28, 2026 SUNDAY!
Fundraiser for Quiapo ng Puso Ko Inc.
Limited slots only.

🔗 Register:
http://tinyurl.com/QUIAPOFOODTOUR2