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Church - San Jose and the Island of Trozo

July 30, 2008

During the Spanish period, Trozo was just a small island near the main island of Binondo. People developed a small barrio known as San Jose. Trozo was part of former Binondo district but now part of the Sta. Cruz district, same with the other “islets” near the area. It was called an Island because it was surrounded by two rivers, the Estero de Magdalena, and the Estero de San Lazaro.


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(San Jose De Trozo Church - Interior - Sept. 2008)


This is the San Jose De Trozo Church in Masangkay Street, Manila. The church was built in 1932. Before the year 2000, the whole church was totally renovated. The St. Joseph, the patron saint, was transferred to the left side of the altar from it’s previous position at the center. Kung dati mukha syang lumang simbahan na may mga engraved latin scripts, ngayon parang isang modern chapel nalang sya, mas simple at mas malinis, pero sana na-preserve yung mga dati nyang itsura.

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(Interior of old San Jose De Trozo - 1970s)

Masangkay street was formerly called “Calle Magdalena” during the Spanish period. Makasysayan ang lugar na ito, dito sa kalyeng ito nakatira ang mga dating katipunero’t katipunera kasama na din si Andres Bonifacio. Dito din mismo sa lugar ng San Jose de Trozo ipinanganak si Emilio Jacinto, isang Bayani.

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(Old Photo of Pasig River in Binondo)

At the back of San Jose de Trozo church ay may estero o ilog na noong panahon ng mga kastila ay pinagdadaluyan ng malalaking trozo o mga punong kahoy papunta sa Pasig River. Ang lagusan ng ilog na ito ay bumabagtas sa “Calle Azcarraga” (Now know as Claro M. Recto Avenue) at palabas ng Pasig River sa may Binondo. Kaya mas lalong kilala ang lugar na ito na Trozo Manila noong panahon ng mga Kastila.

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(Estero in Binondo)

Kung noong bata pa ako, nakakakita pa ako ng mga punong kawayan at mga lumalangoy na maliliit na isda at mga bibe/ducks sa ilog na ito, sad to say, hindi na trozo o mga ducks ang mga lumulutang dito ngayon, hindi na din mga punong kawayan ang nakatanim sa paligid nito, kungdi mga basura at mga nagkalat na squatters.

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(Old interior of San Jose De Trozo - 1994)

This was the old interior of San Jose De Trozo church. Isa ito sa mga alaala ng aking pagiging banal. Imagine, once in my life, I served the Lord. Naks! Proud ako jan. Kung tatanungin nyo kung nasan ako jan sa picture na yan, ako yung nasa may dulong right. Hanapin nyo nalang ako jan. :D

Posted by manilahub at 3:08 pm | permalink

Previous Comments

I need your help. Sorry to bother you. I was born in Bambang Street in April 26, 1949 and was baptised at the only Catholic church in the then Magdalena Street. I need a copy of my Baptismal Certificate. PLEASE HELP ME OBTAIN A COPY. Maraming Salamat Po.

Posted by danilo cunanan LAYUG at August 23, 2009, 11:41 am

good day po sa inyo! we have called your good office many times for follow up about my father in law’s batismal certificate but your phone is only ringing and nobody answers.

i hope by this means you could answer about our inquiry bout Jose Velasco Rivera’s baptismal certificate, who was baptized on around year 1954-1955 on your parish.

Posted by percival yabis at November 3, 2009, 12:43 pm

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