The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica, officially known as the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and informally as Manila Cathedral, is a prominent Latin Rite Roman Catholic basilica located in Manila, Philippines, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines.
The cathedral originally started as the Church of Manila and was officially established in 1571 by asecular priest, Padre Juan de Vivero, who arrived in Manila Bay in 1566. De Vivero, the chaplain on the galleon of San Geronimo, was sent by the Archbishop of Mexico, Alonso de Montúfar, to establish Christianity as the spiritual and religious administration in newly-colonized Philippines. De Vivero later became the vicar-general and the first ecclesiastical judge of the city of Manila.
Miguel López de Legazpi, the conquistador of the city, chose the location of the church and placed under the patronage of Santa Potenciana. The first parish priest of the church was Padre Juan de Villanueva.
The cathedral originally started as the Church of Manila and was officially established in 1571 by asecular priest, Padre Juan de Vivero, who arrived in Manila Bay in 1566. De Vivero, the chaplain on the galleon of San Geronimo, was sent by the Archbishop of Mexico, Alonso de Montúfar, to establish Christianity as the spiritual and religious administration in newly-colonized Philippines. De Vivero later became the vicar-general and the first ecclesiastical judge of the city of Manila.
Miguel López de Legazpi, the conquistador of the city, chose the location of the church and placed under the patronage of Santa Potenciana. The first parish priest of the church was Padre Juan de Villanueva.