Stand on Maysilo Circle in the late afternoon and you will see the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy filling with people arriving for Mass, while traffic moves around the roundabout behind them. A few minutes away, on Reverend Aglipay Street in Poblacion, the San Felipe Neri Parish Church has been part of the city since 1863. Mandaluyong is a compact, built-up city, and its worthwhile stops are close together and easy to string into a single day.
This guide suits travellers who already know Metro Manila and want to spend a day inside one of its cities rather than pass through it, and anyone staying in the Ortigas Center area who wants to see what lies on the Mandaluyong side of the boundary. It covers the places worth your time, the seasonal street that draws crowds in December, and a plan for a single day.
Top things to do in Mandaluyong
1. San Felipe Neri Parish Church
Built in 1863 and dedicated to the city's patron saint, Philip Neri, this church on Reverend Aglipay Street in Poblacion is the anchor of any visit to Mandaluyong. It also has a place in the country's history: during the Philippine Revolution it served as a strategic location for the revolutionaries, with the Katipunan group establishing an outpost here to relay information to other revolutionaries.
Pair it with the rest of Poblacion, which is where the church stands, and go when you want to see the building itself rather than attend a service.
2. Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy
This church at Maysilo Circle is small but quite beautiful. It is cozy and comfortable, as the place is air conditioned, and because of its size the atmosphere is solemn and peaceful.
Seats are limited, so it is best to come much earlier than the time of your preferred Mass schedule. Parking may be a problem, especially during mid-morning Masses on Sundays.
3. Policarpio Street
Once a quiet residential street, Policarpio Street becomes a seasonal tourist attraction for its Christmas displays, a tradition which started in 1980. It is the one thing in the city that exists only at a particular time of year, so it is worth planning a December trip around if the displays interest you.
Outside the Christmas season there is nothing to see here, so treat it as a seasonal stop rather than a year-round one.
4. Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club
Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club sits on Wack-Wack Road in Wack-Wack, Greenhills. It is the city's golf and country club, and the practical detail you need is the telephone number if you are trying to arrange a visit: +63 28723 0665.
Because it is a private club, sort out access before you build a day around it.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the San Felipe Neri Parish Church on Reverend Aglipay Street in Poblacion, when the streets around it are at their quietest and you can look at the church properly.
Afternoon. Move on to the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy at Maysilo Circle. Arrive well before the Mass you intend to attend, since seats are limited, and be prepared for parking to be difficult if you are driving.
Evening. If you are visiting in December, finish on Policarpio Street to see the Christmas displays. If you are not, end the day at Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club on Wack-Wack Road, having arranged access in advance.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Policarpio Street?
Only during the Christmas season, when the street's Christmas displays are up. The tradition of decorating the street started in 1980, and outside that period it is an ordinary residential street.
What should I know before attending Mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy?
Seats are limited, so come much earlier than the time of your preferred Mass schedule. Parking may also be a problem, particularly during mid-morning Masses on Sundays.
Why does the San Felipe Neri Parish Church matter beyond its architecture?
It was built in 1863 and is dedicated to the city's patron saint, Philip Neri. During the Philippine Revolution it was a strategic location for the revolutionaries, and the Katipunan group established an outpost there to relay information to other revolutionaries.
Do I need to arrange anything in advance for Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club?
It is a golf and country club on Wack-Wack Road in Wack-Wack, Greenhills, so check access ahead of your trip by calling +63 28723 0665.
Decide whether you are coming for the Christmas displays or for the churches, check the Mass schedule and the club's access rules, and you can plan the rest of your Mandaluyong day around those two fixed points.