Me, at our 3rd street food stop during my Manila Street Food and Drinks walking tour at Sotanghon noodle soup in Manila’s Chinatown, called Binondo. Sotanghon noodles are a popular and comforting Filipino noodle soup featuring clear, cellophane noodles (sotanghon) made from mung bean starch, simmered in a savory broth with beef and a whole egg. In all honesty, for me, it was just okay and again, rather tasteless. (Sept. 14, 2025)

Heading through the market area towards the Plaza Miranda, a historic and bustling public square in the heart of the Quiapo district of Manila and the famous Quiapo Church. (Sept. 14, 2025)

Heading through the market area towards the Plaza Miranda, a historic and bustling public square in the heart of the Quiapo district of Manila and the famous Quiapo Church. (Sept. 14, 2025)

The Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, officially and liturgically known as Jesús Nazareno to the side of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, commonly known as Quiapo Church, a Catholic basilica and national shrine located in the district of Quiapo in Manila. The Jesús Nazareno is a life-sized dark statue of Jesus Christ carrying the True Cross. It is venerated by devotees and regarded by many as miraculous. The image was reputedly carved by an unknown Mexican artist in the 16th century and then brought to the Philippines in 1606. It depicts Jesus en route to his crucifixion. (Sept. 14, 2025)

The Jesús Nazareno, a life-sized dark statue of Jesus Christ carrying the True Cross at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, commonly known as Quiapo Church. It is venerated by devotees and regarded by many as miraculous. The image was reputedly carved by an unknown Mexican artist in the 16th century and then brought to the Philippines in 1606. It depicts Jesus en route to his crucifixion. (Sept. 14, 2025)

The central nave and altar inside the very packed Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, commonly known as Quiapo Church, a Catholic basilica and national shrine located in the district of Quiapo in Manila. (Sept. 14, 2025)

The central nave and altar inside the very packed Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, commonly known as Quiapo Church, a Catholic basilica and national shrine located in the district of Quiapo in Manila. (Sept. 14, 2025)

The multicolored candle vendors at Plaza Miranda, just outside the Quiapo Church in Manila. The colors of the candles are associated with the personal intentions of the person who buys them: e.g., red is for love, green is for money or financial/business success, and blue for peace of mind. (Sept. 14, 2025)

The Halo-Halo at the Jollibee, my last meal-like drink at the Quinta Market in Manila. The Halo-Halo is a popular Filipino dessert consisting of layers of shaved ice, sweetened beans, fruits, jellies, and other ingredients, topped with milk, and sometimes ice cream or leche flan. Customers are meant to stir all the components together before eating, creating an explosion of different flavors and textures. (Sept. 14, 2025)