Ermita

For other uses, see Ermita (disambiguation).

Ermita
The skyline of Ermita with Intramuros in the foreground The skyline of Ermita with Intramuros in the foreground
Location within Manila
Country	Philippines
Region	National Capital Region
City	Manila
Congressional District	5th District of Manila
Barangays	13
Area
• Total	1.59 km2 (0.61 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	7,143
• Density	4,500/km2 (12,000/sq mi)

Ermita is a district in Manila, Philippines. It is a significant center of finance, education, culture and commerce. Ermita serves as the civic center of the city, bearing the seat of city government and a large portion of the area's employment, business, and entertainment activities.

Private and government offices, museums, and university thrives in Ermita. It is also the home to famous tourist attractions and landmarks, among them is the Rizal Park, the premier national park of the Philippines.

History

Ermita was founded in the late 16th century. Its name was taken from La Hermita, the Spanish word for "hermitage", after the fact that on this site was built a hermitage housing an image of the Virgin Mary known as the Nuestra Señora de Guia (Our Lady of Guidance). The hermitage has since evolved into Ermita Church, which has been rebuilt several times since the early 17th century.

Ermita gained renewed prominence during the American colonial period. It became known as the university district, containing the campuses and dormitories of the University of the Philippines, the Ateneo de Manila, Adamson University, the Assumption College and St. Paul College. The residential portion of Ermita was populated by American residents, who set up such establishments as the Army and Navy Club, and the University Club.

In February 1945, during the 1945 Battle of Manila, Ermita was the scene of some of the most horrific massacres that occurred during the Second World War. The wife and four children of future President Elpidio Quirino were murdered in Ermita, as was Supreme Court Associate Justice Anacleto Diaz. Between 68% to 85% of Ermita was destroyed during the Battle of Manila, with an estimated total of 100,000 Filipino civilians killed in the city itself.

Ermita was rebuilt after the devastation of the war. University life remained vibrant therein. However, as decades passed, Ermita started earning a reputation as the red-light district of Manila. During the term of Mayor Alfredo Lim, an effort was made to "clean up" Ermita's image and reputation. However, a local city ordinance prohibiting the establishment of motels, lodging houses and other similar establishments, was later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. As a result of the clean-up efforts, nightlife in the area dwindled though it later picked up with the help of the emergence of the nearby Malate district and the Roxas Boulevard revitalization efforts along Manila Bay.

Accessibility

The district can be directly accessed by the main roads like the Roxas Boulevard, Padre Burgos Street, Taft Avenue and United Nations Avenue. The "Park N Ride" Lawton Bus Station, the city's main public transport hub, is located in the district along Padre Burgos Street.

The Manila Light Rail Transit System (LRT-1) follows Taft Avenue and stops at three stations located in Ermita, Central Terminal Station, United Nations Station and Pedro Gil Station.

Economy

Government offices

Ermita is known as the civic center of Manila. The city government is housed in the Manila City Hall along Padre Burgos Street. The offices of the judicial department of the Philippine government is located in the districtt along Taft Avenue and Padre Faura Street. The Supreme Court of the Philippines, Court of Appeals, National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice is headquartered in this area.

Corporate offices

Ermita is home of the country's major maritime and travel companies which can be found along Kalaw and UN Avenues. Philam Life Insurance Company is headquartered in its building along United Nations Avenue. The Daily Tribune has its publishing house in the are along Kalaw Avenue. Moldex Realty Inc., the largest real estate developer in the city, is headquartered in 1322 Golden Empire Tower, the tallest building in the City of Manila which is along Roxas Boulevard. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is also headquartered along Roxas Boulevard.

Commercial centers

Ermita is really a shopping destination for Manila's upper and middle-class families and for students studying in the University Belt. Robinsons Place Manila, Manila's largest shopping mall, is located in the district's tourist belt along Pedro Gil and Adriatico Streets. SM City Manila, on the other hand, is located in the district's civic center along Mayor Antonio Villegas Road. It is also home of the city's hotels, casinos and night clubs. And it is part of Manila's tourist belt along Roxas Boulevard with Malate.

Facilities

Liwasang Bonifacio and the Manila City Hall

Manila Metropolitan Theater along Padre Burgos Street

Kalaw Avenue south of Rizal Park

Recreation

Rizal Park,the widest open urban public park in the country and location of the monument to the national hero José Rizal, is a prominent feature of Ermita. This was the original site for Burnham's planned government center and capitol building. Other sites of interest in Ermita include:

• National Museum of the Philippines
• Embassy of the United States, Manila
• National Library of the Philippines
• National Archives of the Philippines
• Quirino Grandstand
• Manila Ocean Park
• Bonifacio Shrine
• Liwasang Bonifacio
• Arroceros Forest Park
• Metropolitan Theater
• Manila Hotel
• The Masonic Temple of Ermita
• Philippine Independent Church
• San Vicente de Paul Church
• Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia (Ermita Shrine)
• Philippine General Hospital, the country's largest hospital

Education

A number of educational institutions are also found in Ermita, including:

• University of the Philippines, Manila
• Adamson University
• Emilio Aguinaldo College
• Santa Isabel College Manila
• Philippine Normal University
• Technological University of the Philippines
• Universidad de Manila (formerly the City College of Manila)
• Manila Science High School

Zones and barangays

Ermita is divded into two zones: Zone 71 and Zone 72.

Zone 71: 659, 659-A, 660, 660-A, 661, 663, 663-A, 664
Zone 72: 666, 667, 668, 669, 670

Barangays of Ermita

Name	Population	Zone
Barangay 659	318	Zone 71
Barangay 659-A	974	Zone 71
Barangay 660	483	Zone 71
Barangay 660-A	605	Zone 71
Barangay 661	329	Zone 71
Barangay 663	389	Zone 71
Barangay 663-A	362	Zone 71
Barangay 664	146	Zone 71
Barangay 666	560	Zone 72
Barangay 667	1,307	Zone 72
Barangay 668	612	Zone 72
Barangay 669	443	Zone 72
Barangay 670	615	Zone 72