Visita Iglesia | From Historical to Contemporary Churches of Manila and Pasay

Two years ago, I decided to have a Visita Iglesia in the churches of Metro Manila. Some of these churches I have visited before, so I need to take a chance to take on the route from Manila to Pasay.

The Manila Cathedral located in front of Plaza Roma.

First stop: The Manila Cathedral. Located in the heart of Intramuros, it is known as The Mother of All Churches, Basilicas, and Cathedrals in the Philippines. It is renovated last 2014 and it is open for the public until today. Pope Francis celebrated his first Papal Mass in the Philippines in this Cathedral. 

The San Agustin Church

Second stop: The San Agustin Church. One of the UNESCO Heritage Sites for the category of Baroque Churches in the Philippines. Just a walk away from the Manila Cathedral, you can also visit one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.

The facade of Santa Cruz Church.

Third stop: Santa Cruz Church. Located in the heart of the busy streets of Santa Cruz, which can be adjacent to Escolta and Binondo, this church is noted for its Baroque architecture. 

The busy crowd in front of Quiapo Church.

Fourth stop: Quiapo Church. In the hustling and busy streets of Quiapo, this church is very popular among the Catholics because it houses the religious icon, the Black Nazarene, and it also held the festivity of the Black Nazarene on January 9.

The only metal church in the Philippines.

Fifth stop: The San Sebastian Church. The only metal church in the country, this church is noted for its Gothic-Revival architecture located in the district of Quiapo, Manila.

The façade of Baclaran Church.

Sixth stop: Baclaran Church. It is also known as The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help or the Redemptorist Church. This church is located in Barangay Baclaran, a boundary between Pasay and Paranaque which can be found in the streets of Roxas Boulevard. The church is also the shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and there is a novena every Wednesday. This church was first visited by Karol Wojtyla, the Cardinal-Archbishop of Krakow, Poland in 1973, and later, when he became Pope John Paul II, he blessed it in 1981 during his Papal Visit.

A contemporary church adjacent in the SM Mall of Asia.

Seventh stop: Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth and The Life. Located in the Mall of Asia compound, this church was first built in 1999 and it is noted for its Spanish Baroque architecture.

Before the pandemic, Visita Iglesia is one way to commemorate the Holy Week as a devout Catholic. Due to restrictions and lockdowns, it is better to stay at home and check some Visita Iglesia posts and conduct a virtual Visita Iglesia. Everyone is praying that this pandemic will be over and everything will be back to normal without any travel restrictions, lockdown, and the COVID-19 virus will be vanished. 

You can also check the following blogs:

Visita Iglesia | Heritage Churches in Manila

Travel Throwback: A Visit to the Iconic Churches of Metro Manila

Date: April 1, 2019

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

Visita Iglesia: Pilgrimage at the Highlands

I always have my Visita Iglesia or Pilgrimage in my home town, Cavite. This year, I decided to explore the churches in the highlands. In fact. I went to seven churches located in the upland towns of Cavite namely Alfonso, Mendez and Tagaytay City. 

The belfry of the church.

The facade of San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church located in Alfonso, Cavite

San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church

Alfonso

The first church that I visited this year was the San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church located in the poblacion or town center of the highland town, Alfonso. It became a town in 1859 and the church was established in 1861 where Rev. Fr. Jose Sta. Maria was the first parish priest of the town. It is one of the oldest churches in Cavite which is depicted in its architecture. 

The facade of Saint Augustine Parish Church in Mendez.

Saint Augustine Parish Church

Mendez

The next church that I visited is the Saint Augustine Parish Church. It is located in the center of the small yet peaceful town of Mendez, Cavite. Its notable feature is the twin bell towers and the only one in Cavite.  It was established in 1881 and it celebrated its 300th anniversary last 2015. 

The facade of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Tagaytay City.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church

Tagaytay City 

It is known as the healing church, it was established in 1940 by the Order of Friars Capuchin. The place is very ideal for weddings because of its beautiful landscape and cool climate. The parish is located in the heart of Tagaytay City along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway.

The facade of Tierra de Maria with the image of Our Lady of Manaoag. 

Our Lady of Manaoag at Tierra de Maria 

Tagaytay City 

The Tierra de Maria was established twenty years ago by the late Bro. Jiggers G. Alejandrino. The church now is run by his widow and their children and it is also a place of healing and worship for Catholic devotees of the Our Lady of Manaoag. 

Ina ng Laging Saklolo Parish Church

Tagaytay City

A few minutes away from Tierra de Maria, the Ina ng Laging Saklolo which is located along Tagaytay-Calamba Highway. The church is also operated with Order of Capuchin Friars, the same with Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. 

Angels Hills Retreat and Formation Center

Angel's Hills Retreat and Formation Center

Tagaytay City

It is one of the prayer houses located in Arnoldus Road and this is the sixth church that I visited. It is located near various religious centers including the Pink Sisters Chapel. 

The Pink Sisters Adoration Convent of Divine Mercy

Tagaytay City 

A few minutes walk from the Angels Hills, I went to the Pink Sisters Convent located in Tagaytay City. It is a very popular convent which was visited by tourists and religious devotees, the place is known for nuns who are wearing pink uniforms and a relaxing place filled with trees and plants. 

I also want to visit the Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Amadeo, Cavite but it was already late due to the approaching evening. Therefore, it is always a pleasure and religious practice to do the Pilgrimage to the Seven Churches even in our hometown in order to profess our faith and reflect to all the things that we have done that God saved us from challenges and the fact that we are blessed with opportunities in life. 

You may also read Visita Iglesia: Historical Churches in Cavite 

Date of Travel: April 12, 2017

Travel Throwback: A Visit to the Iconic Churches of Metro Manila

Metro Manila is known as the place where there are plenty of traffic jams, busy metropolitan scenario, hectic schedule of the people and the urban atmosphere. Despite of the city ambiance in the Metro, there are preserved religious treasures that played an important role in the history of the region and the fact that National Capital Region (NCR) is an ideal place for Visita Iglesia. The urban area is populous yet accessible to transportation modes.

The San Sepulcro Parish Church in Laguna was visited by many devotees during Holy Week.

The first church that I visited which is located outside the south of Metro Manila is the San Sepulcro Parish Church in San Pedro City, Laguna. The church is near in my home town. In addition, the church is popular among religious devotees especially during the Holy Week where the miraculous Jesus in Holy Sepulchre, also known as Lolo Uweng can be found here. It is a pilgrim's place for healing since some devotees believed that Lolo Uweng may grant your wishes and heal your illnesses through praying.

Saint Peregrine Laziosi Church

I also visited the Saint Peregrine Laziosi Church in Tunasan, Muntinlupa City. Saint Peregrine is the patron saint of the cancer patients. It became a parish on 1985 and it is under the pastoral care of the Order of Servants of Mary. In addition, there are many testimonies of healing happened in this church.

Saint Joseph Parish Church, the home of Las Pinas Bamboo Organ

From Muntinlupa, I went to Las Pinas City to visit one of the historical churches, the Saint Joseph Parish Church. It houses the cultural treasure, the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ a pipe organ made mostly with bamboo pipes. It was completed by Father Diego Cera in 1824, the builder of the town's stone church and the first resident Catholic parish priest. It was shipped to Germany in 1972 for restoration because it was unplayable for a long period of time due to ages and numerous disasters. The organ was returned in 1975 and it became a National Cultural Treasure in 2003.

The Las Pinas Bamboo Organ, a National Cultural Treasure.

The Saint Andrew Cathedral in Paranaque City is the next stop for this pilgrimage. Built in 1590, it is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. The church is the seat of Roman Catholic Diocese of Paranaque that comprises the cities of Paranaque, Las Pinas and Muntinlupa.

Saint Andrew Cathedral

A few minutes away from the town proper, the National Shrine of Our Mother or Perpetual Help also known as the Redemptorist Church located in Baclaran. It is a prominent Catholic national shrine located in Roxas Boulevard, it enshrines the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. It is also historical where the late Pope John Paul II visited the church on 1981. Prior to that, he first celebrated the Holy Eucharist here as the Cardinal - Archbishop of Krakow as Karol Jozef Wojtyla on 1973.

Baclaran Church

I visited again the Malate Church, Santa Cruz Church and Binondo Church after two years which was my first Visita Iglesia in Manila. There are renovations made in the church especially in Malate and Binondo as part of the restoration program of the heritage sites in Manila. In addition, I also walked from Santa Cruz Church passing the Chinatown in order to make it in Binondo Church.

Malate Church

The facade of Santa Cruz Church 

The Binondo Church with its renovated facade.

Lastly, I also visited the San Sebastian Church in Quiapo. Recently, the church has encountered threats to structural integrity where there are rust and corrosion in its steel structure due to sea breeze near the Manila Bay. In fact, the San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation Inc. holds day tours in the church. During the visit, there are tour guides who tell us the story of the church and the advocacy of preserving the National Cultural Treasure.

The Basilica Minore de San Sebastian is the only steel church in the Philippines.

The tour guide is telling the advocacy of preserving the San Sebastian Church.

The interior of the steel church.

Despite of the urban life in the Metro, these religious structures are still treasured by the local government and the Catholic church. They went to restoration programs by doing major renovations in their structure because they want to preserve these cultural treasures in order to save our heritage not just from natural disasters but also to continue the Filipino cultural legacy in our society up to the future. 

You may also read this article Visita Iglesia: Heritage Churches in Manila 

Date: March 24, 2016

Visita Iglesia: An Ecclesiastical Journey to the Churches in Batangas

BATANGAS. The first things come in our mind  when we hear that province are the tropical beach resorts, towering verdant mountains and progressive urban cities. Last year, I've made my Visita Iglesia in this province where I visited eight churches which played an important role in the history and culture of Batangas. I made a day tour from the highlands of Nasugbu to the urban cities of Lipa and Batangas. Let us explore the churches as we go on a pilgrimage and spiritual reflection in Batangas.

The Dominicum's grand stairway.

The Transfiguration Chapel

The Transfiguration Chapel in Caleruega

Nasugbu

From Cavite, I took a bus going to Batangas where I made my first stop in Nasugbu. From the highway near the boundary of Cavite and Batangas, I took a 10 minute tricycle ride going to the highland chapel. Caleruega was named after the birthplace of St. Dominic de Guzman, father of the Order of the Preachers. In order to honor and remember the legacy of their founder, the Filipino Dominicans established Caleruega that hopes it will be like the town of Caleruega in Spain. 

In this church, you may appreciate the beauty of nature and the verdant ambiance due to the richness of trees, flowers, and shrubs, the scenery of the mountains, and the solemn atmosphere of the place where you can reflect and relax to gain spiritual strength. The place is also an ideal venue for weddings and you may attend the Sunday mass here. Caleruega Church is located near in Mt. Batulao and in Evercrest Golf Course.

Immaculate Conception Parish Church, Balayan, a National Cultural Treasure.

Immaculate Conception Parish Church

Balayan

From the highlands, I took a forty-five minute jeepney ride to the historic, coastal town of Balayan. There are plenty of heritage houses in the town proper and a few walks within the Plaza Mabini, you may visit the Immaculate Conception Parish Church. The church is listed as a National Cultural Treasure because it was built and supervised by the Filipino seculars during the Spanish colonial period. The church was constructed in 1591 and it was blessed by Father Pedro Chirino. In 1795, a new stone church was blessed in honor of the Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of Balayan. Today, the church is still standing and reflects the history and culture of Balayan.

The newly renovated St. Rafael Archangel Church in Calaca.

St. Raphael the Archangel Parish Church

Calaca

After the visit to Balayan, the adjacent town of Calaca is next where I visited the St. Rafael Archangel Parish Church. It was a historical church but it was renovated recently. The devotees believed that the image of St. Rafael the Archangel in the church is miraculous and he is also the patron saint of healing.

The facade of Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours, one of the heritage sites in Taal.

Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours

Taal

After two or three years, I came back to Taal and it is the same heritage town that I've seen a few years ago where the Spanish era houses are still there and gives you the feeling of traveling back in time. I visited the "Biggest Catholic Church in Southeast Asia", the Basilica of Saint Martin de Tours. The first church was built in 1575 and it was located in the shores of Taal Lake which is the present town of San Nicolas. It was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1754 and built in its present location in 1755. The church was damaged by a strong earthquake in 1852 and it was restored which is the present church from 1856 to 1878. A small tower at the left side of the facade which contained the large church bell was destroyed by an earthquake in 1942. Recently, there are renovations made in the church.

The Our Lady of Caysasay Church which houses the Marian image of Our Lady of Caysasay.

Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay
Taal

A few walks away from the Basilica, you may take the San Lorenzo Steps and it will lead you to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of  Caysasay. It is a coral-hewn chapel located in Barrio Caysasay which was built in 1639. The first church was built around 1611 by the Chinese which was made of light materials. In 1754, the roof of the church was destroyed by boulders and ashes of Taal Volcano and in 1852, the walls were destroyed by an earthquake. Therefore, the church has been renovated ever since and the convent was converted into an orphanage. The church is also the home of the image of Our Lady of Caysasay, one of the oldest images of Immaculate Conception, which was discovered by a fisherman in 1603 and it was canonically crowned in 1954 as "Queen of the Archdiocese of Lipa." The church is also near to the miraculous Saint Lucia Well and there are apparitions happened in Caysasay during the Spanish era.

The Immaculate Conception Parish was transferred for three times before it stood on its present location.

Immaculate Conception Parish Church
Bauan

From Taal, I took a jeepney ride going to Bauan where I've visited the Immaculate Conception Parish, a Neo-Classical church in the town. It was administered by the Augustinian priests from 1596 to the end of nineteenth century. The church was transferred from the shores of Bombon River to a place called Durugto in 1662, as well in the place called Lonal up to its present site in 1692. After transferring to a new location, it was destroyed by typhoons and fire but they are trying to build with strong materials until the present church was completed in 1894. The church also houses the Holy Cross of Bauan, the patron saint of the town.

The Neo-classical architecture of Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Batangas City 

After a five to ten minute jeepney ride from Bauan, you can visit the province's capital city where you can find the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. It was first built in 1581 which was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and it became an independent parish in 1614. It was originally made of light materials but the church was destroyed by a fire in 1615 and in 1686, it began laying the foundation of the new stone church. The church was destructed by fire again in 1747 and repaired in 1756. The church went to several restorations during the Spanish era and in 1945, the church was declared as the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

The miraculous Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Lipa City.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
Lipa City 

After one hour of travel from Batangas City, I visited the progressive and ecclesiastical city of Lipa. In the busy town proper, you can find the the Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace. The church was built in 1946, one year after Lipa was damaged by the Japanese forces during the Liberation. In 1948, a miracle was reported in the grounds of the church with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, made an apparition on a nun named Teresita Castillo. However, the Catholic church declared that the apparition is fraudulent and Castillo left the convent. In 1990, a new apparition happened again where the Blessed Virgin Mary requesting that the statue destroyed should be displayed again and in 1991, the miraculous shower of rose petals happened in the grounds of the monastery.

Supposedly, I would like to visit the San Sebastian Cathedral in Lipa but it was past six o'clock in the evening so I rode a jeepney going to Calamba City and I took a ride from Calamba City going back home to Cavite. It has been a provincial round trip from the western mountains, reaching the southern coasts and heritage towns up to the urban cities for a pilgrimage which devotes my faith in God.

It was proven that Batangas is also an ideal place for Visita Iglesia because the churches have an interesting story to share from the miracles, restorations and historical events. There are many churches and places of worship in Batangas that I've never been visited yet and definitely, I will come back next time for another Visita Iglesia post featuring the different churches in the province.

Date of Travel: April 1, 2015