Paco

When one thinks of Manila, Paco usually isn’t the first place that comes to mind. Paco, formerly known as Dilao (“yellow”), was said to be founded by Spanish missionaries as early as the 16th century. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the name was changed to Paco de Dilao. The Japanese have also made their mark on the place, as they established their own enclave there and participated in rebellions against Spain. Paco Park, formerly Manila’s municipal cemetery, was built during the Spanish colonial period and was used by the Japanese as a supply and ammunition depot back in World War II.

For those who take a keen interest in Philippine history, the Paco Park Cemetery is also where the bones of Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora — also known as the GOMBURZA priests executed by the Spaniards — are buried. A shrine is also located in Paco Park in memory of their unjust execution. The Paco Park as a whole is enjoyed by the public and is a must-see not only for history buffs, but also those who want to look at the architecture or simply enjoy a nice walk around. A visit to the San Fernando de Dilao Church can also be found here, known for its interior and a Baroque-styled altar, said to be similar to Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

Today, Paco appears to be just one of the many busy districts in Manila, yet it also has a lot of notable restaurants that the foodie would love. Check out Pho Hoa, The Old Spaghetti House, Tokyo Tokyo, Yvan Navy, and Le Delicieux Patisserie & Cafe. A good number of these places can be found in Robinsons Otis, making it convenient for the tourist who likes to shop. Plenty of hotels are also found within the area. The most notable hotel, the Oasis Paco Park Hotel, consistently gets good reviews and is known for its affordability, taking pride in its reputation as “Manila’s Best Value Hotel”.