Tourism

Visita Iglesia 2009

Visita Iglesia is a tradition I always observed during Lenten season, this is the 2nd year that I post here the churches I visited for Station of the Cross. I’ve been to other different churches in the past years since I started this devotion years ago. This year I visited churches near my place. Click image for a bigger view.

St. Joseph Church – The home of the world famous bamboo organ consists of 902 bamboos, wood and metal. St Joseph is also one of the oldest baroque style church in the Philippines, built in 1797-1819 and made of adobe stones. There are many tourists (Japanese, Korean etc) when I arrived, having pictures in different areas of the church. One thing I noticed is they never forgot to take a shot of the bamboo organ. They even noticed the chandeliers made of capiz. Since the church is small, Stations of the Cross was outside, a bamboo cross symbolized a station.

San Dionisio Chapel – (or Tata Dune Chapel) This is the first time I go to this church, a small baroque style church along Quirino Avenue. I will try to drop by again here next time to see Tata Dune, the headless Patron Saint of San Dionisio. I didn’t noticed the image because I’m busy with my Station of the Cross.

St. Andrew Church – is considered one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It was established in the year 1580 by Augustinian Friars in order to spread the Spanish religion of Roman Catholicism or Christianity throughout the Philippines. St. Andrew is the patron saint of fishermen. The altar was covered now, behind the giant cloth is a classic baroque style altar, the image of Lady of Buen Suceso in the center, St. Andrew image on the right and St. Joseph is on the left. This is where I attended mass by Bishop Jesse E. Mercado.

Sto. Niño Church – I didn’t know this church before until a friend of my sister held her wedding here. Its a small church in the heart of Sto. Niño in Paranaque, along Col. de Leon St, locals call southern side of the long street as Wawa. I am fascinated with this church with its native fixtures, bamboo walls and banig ceiling.

Sta. Rita de Cascia Church – Baclaran is known for Mother of Perpetual Help but there are some who didn’t know that Sta. Rita de Cascia is the patron saint of Baclaran. The church is located along Quiriño Avenue. Stations are stained glass just like the image of St. Rita. Within the compound is the only private school in Baclaran, Sta Rita de Cascia Parochial School known before as Carmel School. Fiesta in Baclaran is every 3rd Sunday of May in celebration of Sta. Rita de Cascia’s feast day.

Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help – also known as Baclaran Church or Redemptorist Church, where devotees often go here for their novena every Wednesday. The people that come now almost feels like it is a Wednesday. From Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish Church, you could walk or ride a pedicab to go here. There is always a 6pm mass every Holy Thursday yearly.

Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth and The Life – The church was built in 1999, I noticed that there more people coming here yearly. This is the last church in completion of my Station of the Cross, I also attended the 5:30pm mass and went home. From Baclaran Church, ride a shuttle from Redemptorist corner Roxas Boulevard going to SM Mall of Asia, it is near SMX.

Ciudad Clemente Resort In Paombong, Bulacan

Looking for a quick summer getaway? Don’t like crowded places? On a budget? Ciudad Clemente in Paombong, Bulacan is perfect. I like the Spanish ambiance, it feels like I was in Ilocos because of its building structures and cozy because of the landscapes. My sister saw these pictures and requested if I could accompany them there. The big air-conditioned private room with 3 double decks and 1 bed price is only Php 2,000 for an overnight stay. It could be a family room but enough to accomodate your barkadas. We celebrated the 3rd year anniversary of Katufors here last Saturday.

There’s a public market across the street if you need things. If you are planning to stay overnight, buy them earlier. To get there from Manila, ride LRT to 5th Avenue Station, there are vans for Php 50 per head, tell the driver that you are going to Hagonoy. He will drop you to Jollibee (sorry, forgot that place). Then ride a jeepney to Paombong Public Market Php7. At the back of the public market, across the street is Ciudad Clemente Resort. Overnight entrance fee is 100, I don’t know the day rate.

You could also ride bus bound for Hagonoy in Baliuag Transit terminals in Cubao or Divisoria.

La Union's Dinakdakan

Dinakdakan is one of Ilocandia’s native dish as well as kilawen. Its a grilled pig ears/snout/face cut in small slices with spices and mayonnaise. It is a somewhat similar to kilawen (kilawin) that is actually serve as appetizer for those drinking for those who love drinking liquor but it is equally good for viand. In La Union, this is where I first tasted dinakdakan years ago and craving for this authentic dish for months. I’m sad that the eatery we used to eat when we are there had stop their business, we looked for nearby carinderia and we never had luck. Some of the nearby resorts are offering this dish around Php 180-200 per order.

The picture was taken in one of the establishment near Burnham Park in Baguio City. Its ok but not better than the one I tasted before. Price: Php 80.

I'm Back From La Union

I’m back! This was my fifth time in La Union and first time to explore other tourist destination in La Union. Itinerary was changed, I’m sad that San Juan, La Union was omitted because the wave wasn’t that good for surfing. People there told us that the best month of going to San Juan is November. So, we will try to go back in November.

Beach in Bauang, La Union is still relaxing, we enjoyed swimming from 7 – 10am and late in the afternoon. We explore some parts of San Fernando, La Union and Baguio when the sun is too hot. Students there were not having yet school vacation yet so beaches were not crowded. hmnn… better timing for a good sunbathing. I experienced Holy Week here (my first time), place is too busy and travel time from Manila is around 6-8 hours. Thats the reason why we never came back during Lenten season.

For the record, this is consider as a budget tour. We rode a Partas Bus to San Fernando, La Union from Pasay, Edsa is Php 371 per head, its 5 hours trip. Going to San Fernando is minimum fare of Php 7 on jeepney. Tricycles is everywhere if you want to go from one place to another especially in San Fernando, rates depends on your destination. The beach where we stayed is free because my friend is a co-owner, we stayed in a nipa hut fronting the beach. We bought food from carinderia (canteen for passers by) along the highway, supplies from San Fernando groceries. Other known beaches nearby were Bali Hai, Long Beach… its easier to walk along the seashore if you want to go beach hopping than coming from the highway entrance. Believe me, its a long walk if you come from the highway.

See the picture, almost like Bataan beaches, gray fine sand and almost warm water. The best place to stop over to take a rest or sleep before going to a long trip to Ilocos or Baguio. We usually spent the last day in Baguio City before going home, we took the bus from there.

Gone For La Union

I’m just waiting for my friends’ call so that we can start traveling from Manila to La Union. I planned our itinerary, our first stop will be Bauang, then San Fernando, then Baguio. I always dream of seeing San Juan, La Union. Surfing, snorkeling, waves and seeing surfers in action! I hope the new shift load of my friend will be effective next week so we can stay longer.

Its been two years since my last vacation in La Union and I’m really excited. My bags are packed and ready to go…

Pictures of my nature trip will be posted soon.