Barrio Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz) is located on the right bank of the Pasig River in the northern part of Manila. Before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the Philippine Islands area of ​​the current urban area was occupied by marshes, meadows and a few rice paddies. Spanish expedition in 1581 declared the property of the Crown land and passed into the possession of the Jesuit Order. In 1619 the Jesuits built the first Roman Catholic church, and in 1643 it placed an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary Pilarski, around which later formed a cult.

In 1784, on behalf of the King of Spain on the territory of the district of Santa Cruz it was built Hospital of St. Lazarus, which housed leprosy patients. Caring for them is carried Franciscan monks. Later, next to the parish was a small park that connected this area with the headquarters of the Spanish cavalry. In the same years in the area appeared slaughterhouse and meat market, and in the northern part - the Chinese cemetery.

During the Second World War Japanese occupation troops, caught unawares approaching from the North American and Filipino soldiers fled. The whole area of ​​Santa Cruz and the northern part of Manila remained virtually untouched, happily avoiding the shelling, which suffered greatly from the rest of the city. Therefore, today in Santa Cruz, you can see a number of buildings built before the Second World War.

For example, in the street you can see Eskolta two stunning home, standing against each other: Regina and Perez-Samanillo. First distinguished neo-classical facade, like government buildings in New Delhi. A house Samanillo - is a masterpiece of architecture in Philippine Art Deco style. It was designed by the son of Juan Luna Andres Luna de San Pedro. This luxurious structure can detect a hint of the majestic building of the Cambodian temple of Angkor Wat and even the Meso-American motifs.

At Plaza Lacson towering ancient Church of Santa Cruz and nearby - Fountain Karredo. The church was built by the Jesuits in 1768, then it was in the possession of the Dominican Order.

When, in July 1946 was officially proclaimed the independence of the Republic of the Philippines, in the former building of the Hospital of St. Lazarus located office of the Department of Health.