The Manila Chinese Cemetery is the second oldest cemetery in Manila after La Loma Cemetery and was designated as the resting place for the Chinese citizens who were denied burial in Catholic cemeteries during the Spanish colonial period. The cemetery was witness to many executions during World War II. Among them were Girl Scouts organizer Josefa Llanes Escoda, literary geniuses Rafael Roces and Manuel Arguilla, star athlete-turned-guerrilla spy Virgilio Lobregat, and Chinese Consul General Yang Guangsheng. Apolinario Mabini was also buried in the cemetery before his remains were tranferred to Batangas.
Landmarks:
Chong Hock Tong Temple
Built in the 1850s, this is the oldest Chinese temple in Manila. Though not as elaborate, the architecture is still reminscent of those in Fujian provice as well as those in Singapore and Malaysia with their colorful friezes and uniquely upturned eaves.
Liat See Tong (Martyrs Hall)
Bulit in the early 1950s in honnor of the Chinese community leaders who were excecuted by the Japanese during World War II. Japan invaded the country in 1941 and one of the first things they did was to round up prominent Chinese community leaders and executed them. Having been enemies even before World War II commenced, the Japanese were wary of the trouble the Chinese community would cause on the plans when they invaded the Philippines.
Dy Hoc Khe
Dy Hoc Siu, a leader of the committee campaigning for boycott of Japanese trade in the Philippines under the nationwide league oppositing Japanese militarism called "Khong Tiak Hue" or "Resist the Enemy League"
Yu Yi Tung, editor of Chinese Commercial News
Carlos Palanca (Tan Quien Sien) Memorial
A memorial to Don Carlos Palance (Tan Quien Sien), illustrious Chinese-Filipino leader during the 19th century. It was through his efforts the cemetery was built. During the Spanish colonial period, non-Catholics weren't allowed to be buried in the city cemeteries. Hence the need for the non-Christian Chinese to have their own cemetery.
Ruby Tower Memorial
