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San Juan City Walking Tour with Go Pinas: A Heritage Walk Through Revolution and Memory (2026 Guide)

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When it comes to Philippine history, the old walled city of Manila, Intramuros, always comes to mind. But in San Juan, history quietly lingers between church bells, old water tunnels, and revolutionary markers.

I joined a guided walking tour with Go Pinas to see San Juan beyond traffic and shopping streets—and it turned out to be one of the most interesting experiences I’ve had in a while.

Curious whether a San Juan City walking tour is worth it? Here’s what to expect, where you’ll go, and who this tour is best for. 

Quick Overview

Duration: Around 2  hours
Difficulty level: Easy (mostly flat, beginner-friendly)
Best for: History lovers, students, weekend explorers
Location focus: Pinaglabanan area

Fun facts about San Juan City

  • Did you know that San Juan is officially named San Juan del Monte? del Monte is a topographic byname that means "from the mountains/mountain." And if you've ever been to San Juan, you'd understand how apt this is. 
  • San Juan City was a municipality until 2007, when it officially became a city
  • San Juan City is named after St. John the Baptist 

1st Stop: St. John the Baptist Church 

Our walking tour started at St. John the Baptist Church. It's the oldest church outside Intramuros. The church was also the center of the community during the Spanish era. St. John the Baptist Church was built by Franciscans. 


Facade of St. John the Baptist Parish in San Juan City, Metro Manila

Historic St. John the Baptist Parish in San Juan, Philippines

2nd Stop: Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine

Pinaglaban Shrine—today, it's a park where joggers pass by, and kids play nearby. But this is the first area where Katipuneros fought the Spaniards, and it is because of the water reservoir. Filipino revolutionaries lost that fight, but it marked an important chapter in our fight for independence. 


At the Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine, you'd see Andres Bonifacio's shrine. The guide shared that while he's considered a hero, he was one of the most pitiful Philippine heroes. Why? Because unlike Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo, or Emilio Jacinto, he didn't come from money. He didn't have a prominent education. He attended school and learned to read, write, and do basic arithmetic, but he did not pursue higher education. After his schooling was cut short, he became self-educated.  

Shrine of Andres Bonifacio, KKK Founder in Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine
Andres Bonifacio, KKK Founder 


Did you know that he translated some of Jose Rizal's writings? I did not know that either until our guide shared it. And Bonifacio used a bolo to fight because he was not a general like Aguinaldo. He had no access to guns or any other war machinery. 

He was killed in Marigundon, Cavite, due to charges of treason together with his brother, Procorpio Bonifacio. He does not have a gravesite because his body was destroyed during the war. 

If you enjoy historical storytelling in real spaces, this stop alone makes the tour worthwhile.

3rd Stop: Museo El Deposito

Next, we visited Museo El Deposito, a museum that explores the history of San Juan’s Spanish-era water system. The exhibits cover the engineering marvel of the reservoir and the story of Manila’s water supply in the colonial period. 

Yes, the Spanish colonization of the Philippines was one of the dark times in our history, but just like the Americans, they did contribute some things to us Filipinos, too. If you studied Philippine history, you know that the Spaniards introduced religion to us—specifically, Roman Catholicism. But it was also during the Spanish time that we had a water system. Before that, we got our water supply only from the Pasig River.  We specifically have Francisco Carriedo, a retired Spanish captain general, to thank for that because he donated the water system. And yes, the LRT Carriedo Station was named after him. 

Francisco Carriedo, donor of Carriedo fountain

photos of Carriedo fountain

Carriedo Fountain
A replica of Carriedo Fountain

Carriedo Fountain replica

1880 water hydrant replica
1880 Water Hydrant

Close-up of historical water system artifact at El Deposito Museum San Juan
Filipinos used to store water from the Pasig River in jars like this before a water reservoir and filtration system was introduced. 

Entrance of the San Juan water tunnel built during the Commonwealth period

plan of the water system Manila suburbs showing the water sources, cities and towns served

It’s small but thoughtfully curated. Walking through the museum gave context for what we were about to see—the underground reservoir itself—making the upcoming stop far more meaningful.

4th Stop: Underground Water Reservoir

We stopped by the El Deposito Underground Water Reservoir for our fourth stop. This was the one I was most excited about, and it was the reason I went on this walking tour. I saw photos of the El Deposito Underground Tunnel on Instagram last year and have been intrigued to visit ever since. 

We had to wear a hard hat before entering the underground water reservoir 

El Deposito is an underground Spanish-era water reservoir—dimly lit, cavernous, and unexpectedly cinematic. Why was the water reservoir in San Juan? Because the area is high, they needed that to ensure water would trickle down to Manila and its surrounding area.  Today, the reservoir is in Quezon City, and it's called the La Mesa Dam. 

Genaro Palacios designed the San Juan Water System, which is now a tourist spot in San Juan. 

Walking inside feels like stepping into a forgotten infrastructure project from another century. It’s cool, slightly eerie, and incredibly well preserved. This was easily the most visually striking stop.

Exploring the historic El Deposito reservoir during a San Juan walking tour

Historic stone walls of El Deposito reservoir in San Juan City, Metro Manila”

A look at San Juan City's Underground Water Reservoir

It’s also one of the most unique historical sites in Metro Manila that not many locals know about. 

If you’re into architecture, hidden spaces, or unusual heritage sites, this is the highlight. 

Standing inside the El Deposito Underground Water Reservoir in San Juan City

nside El Deposito in San Juan, a Spanish-era underground water reservoir”

Go Pinas walking tour participants inside El Deposito Underground Reservoir in San Juan
Me during the Go Pinas Walking Tour. There was only one other participant during the tour. 

5th Stop: Museo ng Katipunan (KKK Museum)

The last stop of our tour was Museo ng Katipunan. In here, you can see artifacts and exhibits that will deepen your understanding of the Katipunan movement. However, during our walking tour, we were not able to go in because repairs were underway. 

Exterior shot of KKK Museum in San Juan City

Is the San Juan Walking Tour Worth It?

If you’re looking for:

  • A relaxed but meaningful weekend activity

  • A history refresher outside a classroom

  • A unique Metro Manila date idea

  • A budget-friendly cultural experience

Then yes, it’s worth it.

It’s not flashy. It’s not aesthetic-café hopping.

It’s reflective.

And in a city that rarely pauses, that feels rare. 

Budget & What to Bring to a Walking Tour

One of the best things about walking tours in Metro Manila is that they’re budget-friendly. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to spend on this San Juan City walking tour:

Budget Estimate (per person): 

Tour fee with GoPinas: Php999 

Transportation to San Juan: Php300 (Grab from Makati) 

Snacks and Refreshments: Php100-Php200 

Total: Php1,500 more or less for a 2-hour cultural trip 

Things to Bring

  • Comfortable clothes and footwear - think light colored clothes as you'll be walking under the Manila heat and comfortable sneakers or sandals
  • Water tumbler - to stay hydrated throughout the tour. Try t
  • Crossbody bag, small backpack or a tote bag  – To carry essentials without weighing you down like this statement piece. 
  • Water bottle – I personally recommend Aquaflask—it keeps water cold for hours and is lightweight enough to carry around the city.  
  • Sunscreen & hat—Protect yourself from the sun, especially during midday tours.
  • Camera or smartphone—The museum, reservoir, and streets are very photogenic.

With the right preparation, the walking tour is comfortable, fun, and educational—and a perfect way to see a different, slower side of Metro Manila.

Final Thoughts

San Juan City often gets overshadowed by larger Metro Manila destinations. But this walking tour proves that heritage doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful.


Sometimes, it’s underground reservoirs.
Sometimes, it’s quiet churches.
Sometimes, it’s a park where history once thundered.
Sometimes, it’s a museum that prepares you for the surprises ahead.

And sometimes, it’s just walking slowly enough to notice.

Walking tours in Metro Manila are something I’ve enjoyed since my 20s, when I first attended Walk This Way Tour with Carlos Celdran. I've always loved history, and this felt like a different, more engaging way to learn it, since you also pick up tidbits you can't find in your history books. 

Nowadays, there are plenty more organizations like Go Pinas offering well-organized walking tours, and I’m loving it! This San Juan tour reminded me how much history, architecture, and stories are hidden in plain sight—from quiet churches and revolutionary parks to underground reservoirs and museums.

Last year, I went on another fascinating tour called Sampiro Kalbaryo, which took me through yet another layer of Manila’s streets and history. Both experiences prove that sometimes the best way to truly see a city is simply to walk it, one step at a time. 


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Maundy Thursday Activity: Sampiro Kalbaryo Tour


I often do Visita Iglesia on Maundy Thursday with my friends. This year, we did a different activity. We went to Poblacion and did a walking tour with Wander Manila. The tour was called Sampiro Kalbaryo.

What is Sampiro Kalbaryo?

Sampiro Kalbaryo is a special walking tour that's only held on Maundy Thursday.. The tour involves strolling around the old Spanish town of Poblacion, Makati's streets, to observe the "kalbaryos," or street grottos, that appear there during Lent. It's a tradition that spans more than 100 years already 

Some bigger grottos are built as early as two weeks before Holy Week, and most are finished and beautified by Holy Wednesday.  Some of them are built blocking the streets. In any orher district, such a setup would not be allowed but the people who lived their whole lives in Poblacion, it's already a norm. It's the motorists who'll have to adjust on Holy Week.  

Why is the Sampiro Kalbaryo only done on a Maundy Thursday? It's because by Good Friday, the images will be taken to Sampiro Church where they will take part in a procession around Poblacion. It's a long procession that starts at five in the afternoon. 

History of Sampiro Kalbaryo

The first kalbaryo started not on the streets but inside a family's house where they did pabasa (Reading of the Passion). The participants grew and grew in numbers until they could no longer accommodate everyone inside so they finally built a grotto outside the house in 1920. 

It became so popular that by the following year, another group, Makati Sporting built the second kalbaryo in 1921. From that point on, the number of families and groups setting up their own grottos or street churches grew every year. Right now, there are 50 grottos set up around Poblacion, and all of those who've joined have never stopped doing it. 

The kubols are not cheap to make. So where do they get their funding from? Some funding comes from the church. Some from the local government, and most of them come from people's donations. 

Most kubols or grottos are taken down after Good Friday and are stored somewhere by the families or groups that built them. But there are some permanent kubols around Poblacion as well.



Some of the grottos have creative names such as Samahang Bla-gag, which is the sound you hear when you fall off your chair. Another one is named Poultry because it's beside a chicken coop. And there are grottos that are named Samahang Ilalim ng Tulay because it's literally under a bridge, and Samahan Likod Simbahan, Inc.  







Leave it to Filipinos to put some humor even in a devout practice such as religion. 

The Town of Poblacion

Our tour also discussed a bit of Poblacion's history. Did you know that this part of Makati was part of a bigger kingdom called the Kingdom of Namaayan, which was active in the 11th century? Then Miguel Lopez de Legaspi sailed to the town after Manila and deemed the area not good enough to build a town on. It was the Jesuits who checked out the land, found out there was a lot of clay in the soil, which would be conducive for building a pottery business. That's how Poblacion was known for a while for pottery. Up until the Americans came, and it was a little bit busy,  Poblacion was still a very sleepy riverside town. Read more about the history of Makati here.


               

Sampiro Church, one of the oldest churches in Manila 

             One of the oldest religious images in Poblacion 


 
It's a lot of work to maintain a tradition like the Sampiro Kalbaryo. It's no easy feat to build it, to have people fed during the pabasa, and to dismantle it. 













This is definitely a panata or a devotion. You're doing it not for the clout but because you genuinely believe in it.  




My Sampiro Kalbaryo walking tour buddies 



I'm glad I was able to join this walking tour. It was very informative! I didn't know that behind the party scene or the coffee scene that Poblacion's known for these days, there is a religious tradition that's treasured as well. I was definitely enlightened. 




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My Favorite Art Works at Art Fair Philippines 2025

Almost every year, my friends and I like to visit Art Fair Philippines held every February. We like looking at all the art exhibited and appreciate them. This year, I was able to get in for free because I'm a BPI client and I had my credit card with me that day.  


The venue this year changed from The Link Building to Ayala Triangle Garden. I think the change of venue made it a bigger exhibit than it was before. I can't say for sure but I do know that the move was to make it even more accessible to the public. 

As always, there were plenty of art on display from various exhibitors, even international ones from Japan, Austria, and Hongkong, to mention a few. But here are the pieces that stood out the most for me: 



It's pancit canton but with hugot. 










These are works of art of Carlo Tanseco. It's an homage to the popular snacks from my childhood, more specifically Universal Robina Corporation's snacks. At first glance, you'd think these are just life sized version of the snacks. But when you look closer, instead of its brand names, what you'll read are messages like 100% Tanging Ikaw Ang Pinakamahalaga, Pinakamamahalin or Closer to Your Dreams. I love the creative take of the artist on these. In fact, Lance Gokongwei bought one of these art pieces. 

According to what I read, it was the artist thinking of his childhood days that inspired him to make the 20-piece collection, This was definitely one of the most popular booths at Art Fair Philippines 2025 and I can see why. Nostalgia and cheeky panache are always a hit with Filipinos.  

From time to time, I like to check out art exhibits happening in the Metro. Last year, I visited Banksy Universe Manila at MET Museum. It's a nice experience checking out art pieces and appreciating them. 



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A Visit to MET Museum for Banksy Universe Manila 2024


Last year, I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Manila in BGC, Taguig, with my friends to check out Banksy Universe Manila 2024. Of course, I had heard of Banksy, but I wasn't familiar with his artwork. All I knew was the Girl with the Balloon, as this is one of his best-known pieces.





While I'm not an art connoisseur, I do like to appreciate art, and what better way to get to know an artist than to check out his or her exhibit? And yes, I know this wasn't Banksy himself that chose to showcase his works of art. I heard the artist doesn't like to hold exhibits. The Banksy Universe Manila 2024 was pooled from authenticated art pieces from personal collections of collectors of Banksy's works. I also learned that there's an irony in having a Banksy exhibit at an upscale area such as BGC. They say he's a critic of capitalism. 

Anyway, here are the interesting pieces I saw at the exhibit.



Banksy was a street artist known for his graffiti works. Some critics say his works are art while some call it vandalism. 




This piece's message is pretty sad. It seems to say sorry you can't follow your dreams. You don't have that luxury anymore.  


This piece, Nola, was done after the destruction caused by Typhoon Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana.  



Banksy also made artworks about people with authority such as the police. His artwork, Flying Cooper 2003 is a reminder to people not to be too trusting of people with too much power or authority. It reminded me of the time here in the Philippines when extra judicial killings were happening every so often, and it was the cops involved. Those were scary times. 



I think Banksy is talking about consumerism in this piece. In this day and age, we're conditioned to want to live a life where we constantly compare what we have with others and want to have what they have or what they're doing, which can be a bad thing, especially when you really can't afford to do so. Keeping up with the Joneses as the saying goes. 



 




As I mentioned, The Girl in the Balloon is one of Banksy's most popular works. In a Sotheby art auction, after this painting was sold for over £1 million, the artwork self-destroyed through a shredder hidden beneath the frame. Though it's not completely shredded. It became even more valuable as an art piece after that. 

It was an interesting visit I had at the MET museum, learning all about Banksy. I'm glad I got to check out the art pieces. After all, learning to appreciate art is one way to become cultured. 

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