What if these grounds could talk? La Loma Cemetery holds stories of Manila’s past. It is more than just a burial ground.
La Loma Cemetery opened in 1884. Spanish authorities created it after the devastating 1863 earthquake. The existing Paco Cemetery was overcrowded. Vicente Carranceja oversaw the project. The Ayuntamiento funded it with P30000.
Originally, it was called Cementerio de Binondo. This was because the area fell under Santa Cruz’s jurisdiction. Spanish officials used La Loma to enforce authority. They warned Filipino rebels they would be excluded if they joined uprisings. This denial of a Catholic burial was a significant threat.
One prominent feature is the Lumang Simbahan. This is also known as St. Pancratius Chapel. Dating back to 1884 it served as a funerary chapel until 1962. During the Philippine-American War, General Arthur MacArthur occupied it. His forces used it and Blockhouse 2. Filipino forces under General Antonio Luna also used it during the Battle of Caloocan.
La Loma Cemetery is the final resting place of notable figures. Marcela Agoncillo is buried here. She was the wife of Felipe Agoncillo. She also created the Philippine national flag. Maria Carpena rests here as well. She was a pioneering Filipina stage actress. She was the first Filipina recording artist. Josefa Llanes Escoda is also interred here. She was a women’s rights advocate. She founded the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. Josephus Stevenot is buried here. He founded the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. Tomas Mapua rests here as well. He was the first registered architect of the Philippines. He founded the Mapua Institute of Technology.
Remarkably, La Loma Cemetery survived the 1945 Battle of Manila. Much of the city’s architecture was destroyed. This makes the cemetery a crucial piece of Philippine history. An anti-aircraft mortar launcher still stands on the grounds. It serves as a reminder of the past.
La Loma offers a glimpse into Philippine society. Grand mausoleums stand alongside simple burial plots. The Lumang Simbahan stands as a testament to history. Its restoration is a priority. The diocese recognizes it as a National Cultural Treasure.
As you wander these grounds remember its history. It is a place of remembrance. It is a testament to the resilience of Manila. La Loma Cemetery continues to watch over the city’s past. It is a landmark and a reminder. It connects us to the stories of those who came before.