Manila

Stored: Manila

Populated Place: Manila
14.5995, 120.9842
Status (Church Vitality):	Active
Historic:	Yes
Type:	City
Country:	Philippines
Subdivision:	Metro Manila
Founded:
Population:	15231000
Catholic Population:
Catholic Percentage:	81%
Official Languages:
Catholicism Introduced:
Catholicism Status:
Parishes:	87
Notable Catholic Sites:	Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica; Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church); San Agustin Church; Basilica of Santo Domingo; Binondo Church
Patron Saint:	Saint Lorenzo Ruiz
Website:	https://www.manila.gov.ph

Manila is the capital and most densely populated city of the Philippines, located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay in the island of Luzon within the National Capital Region. With a metropolitan population of approximately 15,231,000 as of 2025 estimates, it serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Manila, the Primate Archdiocese of the country and a historic cradle of Asian Catholicism since the Spanish era. As the epicenter of Filipino faith, Manila pulses with fervent devotions to the Black Nazarene and the Immaculate Conception, drawing millions annually to its colonial basilicas and processions that affirm the Church's enduring role in national identity and social justice.<grok-card data-id="67b784" data-type="citation_card"></grok-card><grok-card data-id="b2f68b" data-type="citation_card"></grok-card>

History

Manila was founded on 24 June 1571 by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi as a fortified settlement, swiftly becoming the hub of Spanish colonial administration in Asia.

Early Settlement

Indigenous Tagalog and Kapampangan communities thrived in the Pasig River delta for centuries, trading with Chinese merchants. Legazpi's arrival marked the onset of Christianization; the first Mass was celebrated on the feast of Saint John the Baptist, establishing the city's spiritual foundation.

Catholic Evangelization

The Diocese of Manila was erected on 6 August 1578 by Pope Gregory XIII, elevated to archdiocese in 1595, with Fr. Domingo de Salazar, O.P., as first bishop.<grok-card data-id="f0ec2a" data-type="citation_card"></grok-card> Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, and Dominicans evangelized vigorously, building stone churches amid Moro raids. The 1645 Manila earthquake destroyed early structures, prompting resilient reconstructions like the Baroque San Agustin Church (consecrated 1607, UNESCO site). The 18th century saw the rise of popular devotions, including the Black Nazarene image (arrived 1606 from Mexico), whose Traslación procession endures as Asia's largest religious gathering.

Hagiographic tradition attributes to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (c. 1600–1637), a Manila-born lay catechist, heroic martyrdom in Nagasaki alongside Dominican companions; canonized in 1987 as the first Filipino saint and protomartyr of the Far East.<grok-card data-id="ad8fad" data-type="citation_card"></grok-card>

Modern Faith Life

American occupation (1898–1946) and World War II devastation razed Intramuros, yet the faithful rebuilt: Manila Cathedral rose anew in 1958. The archdiocese hosted papal visits—Paul VI (1970), John Paul II (1981, 1995), Francis (2015)—bolstering post-Martial Law renewal. Today, serving 3.3 million across 87 parishes, it fosters synodality amid urbanization, with vibrant youth ministries and Caritas outreach to 1.5 million urban poor.<grok-card data-id="db0fc0" data-type="citation_card"></grok-card>

Geography and demographics

Manila occupies Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 1: attempt to index global 'coordinates' (a nil value). in a reclaimed bayfront delta spanning 619 square kilometers of tropical lowlands, where monsoon rains nourish Eucharistic congresses and riverside baptisms.

The 2025 metropolitan population totals 15,231,000, with Catholics comprising 81% per diocesan records (approximately 12.3 million faithful).<grok-card data-id="1d3daa" data-type="citation_card"></grok-card><grok-card data-id="d06db9" data-type="citation_card"></grok-card> Filipino (Tagalog) is official, laced with Spanish liturgical terms; English aids global pilgrim Masses.

The Archdiocese of Manila stewards 87 parishes across 13 vicariates, plus 294 chapels, supported by 563 priests.<grok-card data-id="e5aef7" data-type="citation_card"></grok-card> Sacramental anchors include the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica (neo-Romanesque primatial see, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception); Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo, hub of January 9 Traslación drawing 6 million); San Agustin Church (oldest stone church in Philippines, Augustinian motherhouse); Basilica of Santo Domingo (Dominican seat, houses Our Lady of the Rosary); and Binondo Church (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, 1596, "Chinese Vatican"). Devotions to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (28 September) feature reenactments of his trial.

Government and culture

Manila's mayoral-council system harmonizes with Church advocacy on family and environment. Festivals define the rhythm: Traslación del Nazareno (9 January, UNESCO intangible heritage); Feast of the Black Nazarene with barefoot vows; Simbang Gabi (dawn Masses, Advent); and Ati-Atihan echoes in urban adaptations.

Colonial architecture survives in Intramuros: earthquake baroque at San Agustin, capiz-shell windows in bahay na bato convents. The Manila Clock Tower and Rizal Park's Eucharistic monument symbolize resilient piety.

Notable Catholic figures

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (c. 1600–1637) – protomartyr of Japan; lay Dominican tertiary; canonized 1987; patron of Manila and migrants.<grok-card data-id="71951e" data-type="citation_card"></grok-card>
Saint Pedro Calungsod (1654–1672) – Visayan catechist martyred in Guam; associated with Manila missions; canonized 2012.
Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores SJ (1627–1672) – Jesuit missionary; beatified 1981.
Cardinal Jaime Sin (1928–2005) – archbishop (1974–2003); "Voice of the Voiceless" during People Power Revolution.
Blessed Maria of the Angels (d. 1589) – Poor Clare foundress in Manila.