Visita Iglesia: The Baroque and Contemporary Churches of Laguna and Batangas

It is a yearly devotion to have a Visita Iglesia or a visit to seven to fourteen churches in order to reflect on the sacrifices done by our Lord and to pray in order to ask for forgiveness, thanksgiving and supplication. It is also an opportunity to visit churches which reflected on the history of a town. For the past eight years, it's always been a tradition for me to go on this religious activity and had a chance to go around in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas, as well with Metro Manila.

If you want to have a Visita Iglesia in two provinces - Laguna and Batangas, then you may go for it. The route begins in Binan, Laguna where you may visit the San Vicente Ferrer Parish Church located near the Binan PNR Station. It is one of the contemporary churches built in the city.

Santa Rosa de Lima Parish Church in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna.

Chair of Saint Peter Parish in Balibago, Santa Rosa City, Laguna.

Afterwards, you may go to the progressive city of Santa Rosa to visit the Saint Rose of Lima Parish Church. Located in the town center, it was built on 1796 and blessed in 1812. This church is made up of solid adobe stones with lime and mortar mixed with albimin. After a few minutes, you will go to another church in the city which is the Chair of Saint Peter Parish located in Balibago.  

Saint Polycarp Church in Cabuyao City, Laguna.

Afterwards,  the neighboring city of Cabuyao where the Saint Polycarp Parish is located in the town center. It is one of the old churches in Laguna built in 1771. The church became part of its city's history during the Revolutionary Period where the friars abscond the convent secretly to escape the wrath of the town’s people. In 1935, the church has become silent witness in a bloody combat between the group of Filipino peasants called Sakdalista and the constabulary. During the Japanese Occupation, the church became shelter of wounded soldiers. 

Saint John the Evangelist Church in Tanauan City, Batangas, known for its combination of High Renaissance
and Romanesque style.

You may proceed to Tanauan City, Batangas via riding a jeep going to Lipa from Calamba. In the town center, you can visit the Saint John the Evangelist Church. It was built on 1584 where the town was established in the banks of Taal Lake. It was originally made up of wood and the final church was completed in 1732. However due to the catastrophic explosion of Taal Volcano in 1754, the community of Tanauan was totally destroyed. The church was relocated in its current site known before as Barrio Sala and the church wa rebuilt in 1881.

The National Shrine of Padre Pio established on 2006.

The church is open for everyone and the structure is similar to a stadium.

Lastly, the municipality of Santo Tomas in Batangas has Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish Church located in the town proper and the National Shrine and Parish of Saint Padre Pio, known as Padre Pio Shrine. The structure of the main church is made mostly of indigenous materials such as wood, stone, bamboo, sasa or nipa leaves and sawali or woven bamboo strips. The shape of its roof resembles a salakot, a traditional Filipino hat used by farmers and fishermen in their respective agricultural activities and at the top of the roof is the image of Our Lady of Mercy.

You may also try to visit Saint John the Baptist in Calamba City, Laguna the christening site of Dr. Jose Rizal and the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian in Lipa City, Batangas which is the seat of the Archdiocese of Lipa. 

Therefore, it is another year of Visita Iglesia, but the most important thing there is to pray and reflect in our daily lives and be thankful for all the blessings that you received. 

Date of Travel: March 24, 2018