This was an actual Manila tour of Tutubi he "planned" for his Muslim guests recently which took them from Makati to Quiapo, Intramuros, Luneta and capped with Manila Bay Cruise all in a span of ten hours with little planning and decisions made on-the-fly, typical of Tutubi's spur-of-the-moment traveling style. The itinerary is, however, much too compressed, covered so much ground and ideal for travelers with only one day to spare, feel free to tweak to suit your preferences or just ask Tutubi.

Note: Tutubi doesn't really prepare an travel itinerary as he likes the thrill of discoveries of unplanned travel brings. This was a Saturday which means generally lighter traffic in Metro Manila. Tutubi has a car that's why he's fast for he knows how to navigate the inner streets, where to pass by, mostly avoiding streets where jeepneys (one primary cause of traffic in Manila) don't pass. Take a taxi to exactly follow the route and for faster travel instead of the jeepney. The itinerary route is also possible via public transportation.

8am Met up at Makati Hotel (Berjaya Hotel, which serves halal buffet breakfast)

8:10 Had Breakfast and shopping at Salcedo Weekend Market in Salcedo Village, Makati. Tutubi bought his favorite budbud kabog, his guests looked for halal breakfast, settled for vegetarian samosa at a Persian/Indian restaurant plus all variants of budbud kabog and suman.

Salcedo Weekend Market in Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati offers regional and international food specialties and delicacies. Open every Saturday from 6am to 2pm

9:am Left for Quiapo, Manila. passed by Osmena Highway (formerly called South Superhighway), right Quirino Avenue, left Paz Guanzon (just before Nagtahan Bridge), right Romualdez, cross Ayala Bridge, left to Carlos Palanca (formerly Echague) then park near Quinta Market (you can find "informal" parking attendants to guard your car on the street, PhP30.00 usual parking fee). Walked to Golden Mosque (you can take padyak or kuliglig for about PhP40.00)

9:45 Arrived at Golden Mosque (Tutubi's first time to get inside the Quiapo landmark) on Globo de Oro Street corner Gunao.

The interiors of Golden Mosque with columns and the mihrab, the semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the qibla, facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca and where Muslims should face when praying. The wall is called "qibla wall." The mosque is usually full during Jumuah prayers on a Friday

10:00 Had brunch at a nearby halal eatery to sample mostly Maranao dishes (mostly yellow in color) fish with spicy coconut sauce and palapa and bodhi (fish roe) fulshed down with Maranao coffee. The neighboring streets of Globo de Oro, Norzagaray, Bautista, Elizondo and Gunao surrounding the Golden Mosque are lined with restaurants serving halal food for the Muslims living and doing business in the area, mostly Maranao and Tausug. You can even find Muslim "wares and wear"e.g. abaya, hijab, malong.

10:30 Took a padyak (human-powered tricycle or pedicab, fare: PhP10.00/person) to Quiapo Church after finding out the Lacson Underpass was closed for repairs).

the well-loved Quiapo Church is the center of the Black Nazarene procession annually held on January 9 and attended by millions of barefoot devotees.

Quiapo is the window to the soul of Manila and probably the Philippines. It's here where you can find Christians and Muslims living together in harmony, doing about business and daily grind. It's home to a famous Quiapo Church which is full of people on Fridays and also the Golden Mosque, where Muslims stop what they're doing to pray also on a Friday. It's also an area of ironies, where else can you find a Catholic Church surrounded by fortune tellers (manghuhula) and little stalls on the sidewalks selling herbal medicines (e.g. pito-pito, a concoction of seven herbs), amulets, anting-anting, katana (samurai swords), kris (Muslim royalty swords), balisong (butterfly knife) and the infamous pamparegla (sold in dark brown "lapad" bottles) which is a euphemism for abortifacient (abortion is illegal in the Philippines). It's also where you can find true Manila: gritty, grimy and non-pretentious.

Other places to see and visit in Quiapo include San Sebastian Church (a short jeepney ride away, take jeepneys on Hidalgo Street with signboards Balic-balic or Lealtad), San Miguel area (take San Miguel jeepneys near Quinta Market or Ilalim ng Tulay), the eyeglasses and optometrist haunt Paterno Street, the generator and power tools street of Evangelista, the fake ID/diploma/thesis/term papers/reaction paper/ street of Recto University, the iconic art deco buildings of Far Eastern University (FEU, where art works of several nationa artists can be found inside the campus), the Nakpil-Bautista house on Bautista Street (former home of Katipunan lakambini Gregoria de Jesus, and where the original painting of Juan Luna "The Parisian Life" used to hang)

Quiapo food trip destinations include Globe Lumpia (since 1953) on Gonzalo Puyat (formerly Raon, a favorite haunt of Tutubi for electronics (he's actually an electronics engineer by profession)), Excellente Ham (opened 1963) and Kim Chong Tin Hopia Factory (1927) on Carlos Palanca (formerly Echague, where stores selling home and kitchen wares can be found), Master Hopia on Villalobos Street, various regional food peddled on Hidalgo Street (the photographer's haven lined with camera shops) besides the Muslim halal restaurants near Golden Mosque (suggestions: bodhi, chicken papar (piaparan), arab spice roasted chicken, kabsa (arabian rice), beef rendang (Maranao style of Indonesian provenance), beef balbacua, pater rice (Maranao style binalot), chili and ginger), bakas (smoked whole tuna) in sticks and the quintessential Maranao spice called palapa (ingredients of toasted coconut, shallots, sakoreb/sakurab (native scallions)

11:00am Went to Intramuros via a jeepney. At the behest of his guests who wanted to try riding the jeepney, Tutubi called up his driver to proceed directly to Manila Cathedral and wait for them there. Tutubi and guests boarded a jeepney with signboard Quiapo - Pier and alighted at the corner of Antonio Luna and Andres Soriano (formerly Calle Real del Palacio) then walked to Fort Santiago (Entrance Fee/Admission: PhP75.00)

Fort Santiago, a Spanish fort near the mouth of Pasig River where once stood the palace Rajah Sulaiman, the Muslim ruler of Manila until the arrival of the Spaniards. The fort also once served as prison of Jose Rizal (the Philippine national hero, his last steps were imprinted on the road leading to Luneta (now Rizal Park) where he was executed by firing squad. There's also a bulwark facing Pasig River and a replica of Rizal's house in Calamba, Laguna serving as a museum.

11:30 Went out of Fort Santiago, looked around at a souvenir shop just outside Fort Santiago then proceeded to Plaza Roma in front of Manila Cathedral to look for a cochero and Intramuros Calesa Tour (calesa is a horse-drawn carriage) at a price of PhP350.00 for thirty minutes.

The calesa tour passed by these Intramuros landmarks: Manila Cathedral, Bahay Tsinoy (Filipino Chinese Museum), Memorare (Monument to the massacre during the Battle for Manila at the closing stage of World War II), Beaterio, Casa Manila (an old bahay na bato and museum, there's an entrance fee but Tutubi and his guests just requested the guard to enter the patio and take pictures), an old Japanese cannon seen from the walls, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), the the budget-friendly carinderias/eateries on the walls along Muralla with student patrons, Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), Lyceum of the Philippines, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, the ruins of Interdencia then back to Manila Cathedral.

12:00 As it's lunch time, went to Shawarma Snack Center near Robinsons Place Malate on Salas Street. (Tutubi's guests were Muslims, that's why everything must be halal i.e. allowed to eat per the teachings of Islam). It's ironic that the restaurant ran out of shawarma, the only thing Tutubi wanted to eat there probably due to lunch time and he can't wait another 25 minutes for the next batch to be cooked, he ordered chicken tikka masala sandwich.

1:30pm Went to Rizal Park (Luneta) to see the Rizal Monument (near where Jose Rizal was shot and where his remains were buried permanently) and also the Kilometer Zero Marker (reference point of all kilometer markers all over the country). Also at Rizal Park is the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Lapu-lapu monument, Quirino Grandstand and near it are Manila Ocean Park (oceanarium and other activities and shows for families, especially children), Museong Pambata (Children's Museum, the US Embassy, and Manila Hotel, Philippine Normal University, LRT UN Avenue Station, Planetarium, National Museum and National Art Gallery.

2:30pm Went to Sun Cruises terminal in CCP Complex for the Manila Bay Cruise. Good thing there's still tables available as it's a reservation required. Booked the 4pm cruise. Visited and took pictures of the Coconut Palace (now the official residence of the Vice-President of the Philippines)

3:00pm Went to Harbor Square for some coffee and rest tired feet after the Manila sightseeing tour

4:00pm Boarded the Sun Cruises yacht for the Manila Bay Cruise

Manila Bay Cruise is operated by Sun Cruises, the operator of Corregidor Island Tours, cruise time is around one hour which involves going south all the way to SM Mall of Asia then back. You need to book in advance for your seats unless you're lucky like Tutubi who was able to buy tickets walk-in. Recommend the 5pm cruise time slot for the sunset or the later 6pm slot during Saturday to see the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) fireworks.

5:15pm Back at CCP Complex

6:00pm Arrived in Makati



Costs and Other details of Manila Sightseeing Tour and Food Trip:

Taxi fare from Makati to Quiapo is around PhP200.00
Golden Mosque entrance fee: none (visitors are requested to make donations)
Kuliglig ride to Golden Mosque: PhP40.00
Parking fee Quiapo: PhP30.00
Jeepney fare Quiapo to Intramuros: PhP8.00 (minimum fare, via jeepneys with signboard Pier)
Fort Santiago entrance fee: PhP75.00
Manila Bay Cruise: PhP550.00 with buffet lunch, PhP350.00 cruise only
Jeepney fare Intramuros to Rizal Park: PhP8.00 (via Quiapo jeepney)

How to Get to CCP Complex from Quiapo or Rizal Park? Just take a jeepney with signboard Vito Cruz (preferably via Taft Avenue), alight at Vito Cruz and take the orange shuttle jeepneys plying the CCP COmplex Route.

Related Posts:
How to Get to Quiapo
The Plant Where Quiapo Got Its Name
How to Get to Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila

Labels: Churches, Food Trips, Makati, Manila, Metro Manila, Mosques, Pasay City

It's a sad day for Bohol where in addition to lost lives, limbs, and damage to property, several heritage churches and structures including churches were destroyed by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. Herewith are the before and after pictures of old stone churches made from coral stones in the beautiful island of Bohol.

Restoring these architectural gems take time and millions of pesos as well as look into alternative materials that look like coral stones, different from old stone churches of Luzon made from adobe bricks and egg whites.

Old Bohol Churches of Coral Stones before the Earthquake of October 15, 2013:

Baclayon Church



Loboc Church

Loboc Church facade. nearby is the belltower that crumbled during the earthquake

Loay Church

Santisima Trinidad Church of Loay Bohol facade with the belltower

Dauis Church



These gems of heritage were badly damaged by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake of October 15, 2013

(credit to the original photographer/s who posted these online)

The National Commission of Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has an unenviable task of trying to restore these heritage gems made of coral stones that you can no longer harvest from the sea as it's not environment friendly.

related Bohol Posts:
Dimiao Church

Labels: Bohol, Central Visayas, Churches, National Cultural Treasures

Just a very brief stop-over at Asia's biggest church structure in the heritage town of Taal, Batangas, a famous church and shoot location of several movies and TC series (teleserye).

Tutubi visited the place after participating in the annual Parada ng Lechon fiesta in Balayan, Batangas besides buying a katana (samurai sword), balisong, and several cutlery pieces in Barangay Balisong.

Pictures of Taal Basilica (Basilica of St. Martin of Tours) in Taal, Batangas:

the imposing facade of the Minor Basilica dedicated to St. Martin of Tours with a touch of classical architecture.

the interiors of the church with trompe l'oeil art technique creating a 3D illusion to churchgoers, tourists and curious visitors, similar to the ceiling of San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila

Tutubi admits though that due to very limited time, he wasn't able to fully explore the place or take better pictures from odd angles. He's sure that he'll go back to Taal town to explore more historical places and heritage treasures of this lovely town.

Notes:

How to get to Taal, Batangas, please see this post:
Mass schedules of Taal Basilica to be posted later, contact numbers for weddings, events, baptism rates and other inquiries, please call their telephone number

Labels: Batangas, Calabarzon, Churches

The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy is a popular pilgrimage site for Catholics in Marilao, Bulacan and also is a favorite place to have new cars blessed by the parish priest for safe travel

Tutubi made a short visit to the town of Marilao, Bulacan to attend a baptism at the Divine Mercy Shrine, took a few pictures of the place, ate at the reception venue nearby, bought a marilao bibingka at the Original Bibingkahan sa Do then went home

Pictures of the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy (in Lomo):


one of the many chaplets inside the shrine where you can pray and light candles

the large covered area where masses are held, just beside the open parking

another open area, this time without roof, where a large group can gather, very near the office and the are where car blessings are performed

the nice church pews made from fallen trees

one of the stations of the cross

Our Lady of Guadalupe image with water flowing over it. nice effect but reflects on photos



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National Shrine of the Divine Mercy
Sta. Rosa I, Marilao, Bulacan
Telephone Number: +63.44.893.0616; +63.44.248.7255
Note: free entrance (no entrance fee/admission rates there)

How to get to Divine Mercy Shrine, Marilao, Bulacan

click here for an online map of Divine Mercy Shrine via OpenStreetMap

there are buses on EDSA with signboard Marilao that will pass in front of the shrine. fx and shuttle service from Trinoma, SM North EDSA and Eton Centris also have GTExpress and shuttle going there at regular intervals

driving directions to the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy:

for private cars, you just need to use NLEX, take Marilao exit, drive along Marilao - San Jose del Monte Road until you see the church to your right (there's a 7-Eleven convenience store to your left. Note though that you will see road signs leading to the open carpark at the back
Parking Fee: there's a flat rate open parking fee of PhP20.00

Sunday Mass Schedule at Divine Mercy Shrine
6am, 7:30am, 9am, 10:30am; 3:30pm, 5pm, 6:30pm

Please call the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy contact number or visit their official website for inquiries on wedding rates, baptisms, events, accommodations, funeral masses, retreats, confirmations and car blessings. No idea on open and close hours to the public and other Holy Week activities (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday)

Other pilgrimage sites you may want to visit for Catholics:
Regina RICA in Tanay, Rizal
Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban Quezon

Labels: Bulacan, Central Luzon, Churches

Visita Iglesia traditions are observed by Catholics in Holy Week to visit 7 churches. Herewith is the route map of Visita Iglesia in Laguna featuring old churches though information on churches can be found. Seven though for old churches in Laguna is not enough but it's also a sin if you try to visit even fourteen of them.

Tutubi's first memorable trip that also started his "travel career" was the unplanned tour of laguna with his travel buddies that took them to 13 churches in two days and visited lots of other sites Laguna has to offer.

Laguna Visita Iglesia Route Map

Old Churches of Laguna:

Mabitac Church: Church of Nuestra Senora de Candelaria

Due to earthquakes, only the belltower of the old church of Mabitac remains and no attempt at restoring the old church was made.

Pakil Church

San Pedro de Alcantara Church taken in front of Pakil Municipal Hall

Paete Church
a view of Paete Church's intricate facade and baroque features

Longos Church

the belfry of the old stone church

Lumban Church: St. Sebastian the Martyr Parish (San Sebastian)
Cavinti Church: Parish of the Transfiguration Church
Luisiana Church
Magdalena Church
Majayjay Church
Liliw Church
Nagcarlan Church
Pila Church: San Antonio de Padua (Church of St. Anthony de Padua)
Bay Church: San Agustin (St. Augustine Church)
Los Banos Church
Calamba Church

New church structures:

Sta. Maria Church
Pangil Church
Siniloan Church
Pangil Church
Pagsanjan Church: Church of Nuestra Sra. de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church)
Sta. Cruz, Church: Sta. Cruz Church
Victoria Church
Calauan Church: San Isidro Labrador
San Pablo Cathedral

Suggested Visita Iglesia route in Laguna:

If you're coming from Rizal, you can visit these churches:
Mabitac Church, Pakil Church, Paete Church, Longos Church, Lumban Church, Pagsanjan Church

If you want to visit only the best old churches in Laguna, follow this itinerary (choose 7):
Mabitac Church, Pakil Church, Paete Church, Longos Church, Lumban Church, Magdalena Church, Majayjay Church, Liliw Church, Nagcarlan Church, Pila Church, Bay Church

if you want to visit them all, nobody's against it :P

Note: Tutubi has unposted pictures of some churches here


Related Posts:
Visita Iglesia Laguna

Labels: Churches, Laguna, Visita Iglesia

For those looking to to reach Monasterio de Sta. Clara (St. Clare Monastery) to offer eggs for good weather and to attend mass by the sisters.

Sunday Mass Schedule

0630 HRS
1730 HRS

Daily Mass Schedule:
0600 HRS



How to get to Monasterio de Santa Clara in Quezon City:

Sta. Clara can be best reached via LRT 2 Katipunan Station where it's already sort walk away

for driving directions to Sta. Clara from Makati, head out to C5 road, go straight, use Ortigas ibabaw, then pass Libis, enter the tunnel then under the Katipunan viaduct over Aurora Blvd. You can see Monasterio de Sta. Clara to your right.

related posts:
Egg Offering to Sta. Clara

Labels: Churches

Tutubi has lots of friends devoted to weekly Sunday masses at Pink Sisters in Tagaytay where their family bonds afterwards. You can see their faith and devotion not just in attending masses regularly in the chilly Tagaytay and eaking up very early so as not to arrive late (where car parking is too hard to find besides your church seat)

Just to post Sunday mass schedules of Pink Sisters Convent in Tagaytay:

Weekday Mass Schedule (Daily, Monday to Friday): 6:30am (no mass in the afternoon)

First Saturday Holy Hour: 4:20pm

Saturday Mass at 5pm (no idea if this is anticipated mass)

Pink Sisters Sunday Mass Schedule:

7:30am (but be sure to be there early as you can't find a seat as early as 7am)
5:00pm

there are only two masses on Sundays

Pink Sisters Convent
Address: Brent Road, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Telephone Number: +63.46.442.3856 +63.46.442.5203

How to get to Pink Sisters Convent, Tagaytay:

just click this link on how to get to Tagaytay

No information yet on official website, facebook or twitter account for the sisters are always locked in prayer but you can try calling their contact number for information, donations, request for prayers or other inquiries. :)

Labels: Churches, Metro Tagaytay, Tagaytay City

For those looking for up-to-date and accurate information on getting to Antipolo Church (as this has been asked so many times in the past) where Tutubi passes by en route to his hometown Paete, Laguna.

If you want to visit the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Antipolo at the Antipolo Church, buy some Antipolo pasalubong like kasuy, suman or have your new car blessing.

First, Click here for an updated and accurate street map of Antipolo via OpenStreetMap.



1. How to commute to Antipolo Church:

1.1 take the FX Shuttle service to Antipolo, available at
1.1.1 Gabriela Silang Car Park, Makati Avenue corner Ayala Avenue, Makati City
1.1.2 SM Megamall
1.1.3 Robinsons Galleria
1.1.4 LRT 2 Santolan Station
1.1.5 Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City (near LRT 2 Cubao Station and MRT Araneta Center Cubao Station)

1.2 Jeepney to Antipolo, Rizal:

1.2.1 Jose Rizal University (JRU), Shaw Boulevard (Kalentong), Mandaluyong
1.2.2 Starmall, EDSA, Mandaluyong
1.2.3 EDSA Central station, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong
1.2.4 LRT 2 Santolan Station
1.2.5 Tanay, Rizal (where you can get there via Siniloan, Laguna from Sta. Cruz)

1.3 Bus to Antipolo, Rizal:

EMBC bus line serves the Divisoria to Antipolo route

no idea on the jeepney fare to Antipolo. some jeepney routes may also require a tricycle ride
to get there usually from Quezon

2. Driving Directions to Antipolo Church:

From Makati, head towards C-5, turn right to Ortigas Avenue, pass the so called junction of Cainta,
pass Tikling junction (right turn then U-turn then right turn again)
until you get to Sumulong Circle where you turn left then right going to the road to Antipolo Church

From Quezon City and Marikina, this route is the better and faster than traffic-heavy Ortigas Avenue:
take c5 then Aurora Boulevard. Proceed to Marcos Highway all the way pass SM Masinag where you turn right
at the Masinag Junction. Go up all the way to Sumulong Circle (where the new Antipolo Public market is being built and where most vehicles turn left). Instead of turning, just go straight ahead then turn left to follow the map of Antipolo.

From Laguna and Quezon provinces, Antipolo can be reached via Siniloan and Tanay and Manila East Road, about 1.5 hours travel time from Paete, Laguna

Other interesting places to see and visit in Antipolo:
Ynares Center, Hinulugang Taktak and the pasalubong stores

Labels: Antipolo City, Calabarzon, Churches, Rizal, Southern Tagalog

Home to the Loay River Cruise, the lost Loay Watchtower (that Tutubi tried but failed to visit) and the Clarin ancestral house, the Santisima Trinidad Parish of Loay, Bohol is a lesser-known old church in Bohol as it's also not located on the main highway.

UPDATE: this church was badly damaged during the earthquake of October 15, 2013

Parish of the Holy Trinity, Loay, Bohol (Loay Church):

Santisima Trinidad Church of Loay Bohol facade with the belltower

A National Historical Institute (NHI, now NHCP) narrates the history of Holy Trinity Church as built in the 1822, convent in 1838, bell tower in 1865. A certain Fr. Leon Inchausti served in this parish, a martyr of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) who was canonized as a saint in 1999. A good example of Filipino-Spanish architecture and declared a National Historical Landmark in 2003.

the tromphe l'oeil paintings on the ceiling, typical of Bohol's old churches

the neo-classicial altar of Loay Church

besides the double-facade and the historic link to a saint, the church also has an old pipe organ and can be reached via the stairs to the choir loft.

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no information on mass schedules, telephone contact numbers
simbahan santisima trinidad loay bohol, parish holy trinity church loay bohol

Labels: Bohol, Central Visayas, Churches, National Historical Landmarks, Visita Iglesia

The town of Loboc, famous for the Loboc River Cruise and the Loboc Boys Choir, also is home to the Church of San Pedro, the second oldest church in Bohol. Original structure was built in 1602, burned, and a stronger one built in place 1638.

The bell tower of Loboc Church is located a few meters from the church, quite similar to the earthquake baroque architecture of Ilocos churches.

Update: This old stone church was badly damaged by the earthquake of October 15, 2013

St. Peter Church, Loboc, Bohol:



How to get to Loboc, Bohol:
jeepneys with signboard Loboc are available in Tagbilaran near the cathedral. travel time is about 30 minutes. How far? Loboc is about 21 kilometers from Tagbilaran

no information yet on Sunday mass schedules (English), contact numbers and telephone numbers

Parish of St. Peter, Loboc, Bohol
San Pedro Church, Loboc Church

Labels: Bohol, Central Visayas, Churches

In the "gold rush" town of Paracale that sits on gold (whose gold was alleged to be by an ex-president), stands the old stone Church of Our Lady of Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles), which is celebrating its 400th anniversary.

the Drive-by photo of Paracale Church's facade:

the facade of Paracale Church, made of adobe blocks and facing towards the sea, as always, i.e. east guarding the town from marauders and slave traders of yore (picture taken around 5pm)

Tutubi merely took a drive-by picture of the old church and was not able to enter to see, document how the altar and read about the history of the catholic edifice and probably old retablo (tableau) but had to leave in a haste so as not get caought at night passing by the zigzag road between Atimonan and Pagbilao, Quezon on the way to Manila

Paracale is a gateway port to Maculabo Island and the Calaguas Group of Islands, home to Mahabang Buhangin, about 1.5 hours away from Paracale port.

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Paracale Church
GPS Coordinate: N14 16 46.1 E122 47 14.6

How to get to Paracale, Camarines Norte

Commute to Paracale, there's a Superlines terminal near Paracale Church that has trips to the capital town of Daet, Camarines Norte. You can get to Paracale from Manila by boarding a bus of Superlines, Amihan Lines or Daet Express that pass by the northern towns of Sta. Elena, Capalonga, Labo and Jose Panganiban (fare: PhP500.00 approximately) but request the conductor to drop you off at a junction called Bato Balani in Jose Panganiban town. At Bato Balani, ride a tricycle to Paracale (fare: PhP20.00)

There's an ATM owned by Rural Bank of Paracale that dispenses gold, not cold cash (as it's April 1 :)

If you want some sort of Visita Iglesia Camarines Norte you can also try Saint Peter's Parish Church (Vinzons Church), Parish of St. John, the Evangelist (Labo Church), (Capalonga Church, not really old but it's home to the venerated Black Nazarene).

Labels: Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Churches, Visita Iglesia

A quick tour of Dimiao Church, dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, is an old church with an uncertain history but the church was declared by National Museum as a National Cultural Treasure in 2011.


the picture-perfect facade of dimiao church taken late afternoon (the ideal time, actually if not early mornings)

Labels: Bohol, Central Visayas, Churches, Visita Iglesia

An old stone church in Panglao Island, just a few minutes from Tagbilaran Airport, sporting a neo-gothic and neo-classical architecture on the facade an where devotees and faithful flock for a claimed miraculous water from a well inside the church, in front of the altar.

Update: this church was badly damaged during the earthquake of October 15, 2013




Dauis Church history: according to the NHI marker in front of the church, the current stone church began construction in 1863 and finished in 1879, declared a national historical treasure in 2009.

Labels: Bohol, Central Visayas, Churches, Visita Iglesia

Tutubi visited, for the second time, the old church of Baclayon, Bohol and again failed to enter the nearby Baclayon Museum. He just settled with taking a few pictures of the facade.

Not much has changed with the old stone church, there are now only more houses there, particularly along the shoreline, unlike the first time he went there in 2003.

Update: this church was badly damaged during the 7.2 magnitude earthquake of October 15, 2013 :(




Baclayon Church history, with the historical marker installed by the National Historical Institute (NHI), now National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)

Constructed in 1727 (thus the claim of some Boholanos that it's the oldest stone church in the Philippines is false) and made of coral stones, using neo-classical architecture. Recognized as national historical treasure in 1994

people near church pointed to this image on the wall and buttress as that of Padre Pio. Seems there was a fire that imposed this image there

Baclayon Museum hours:
Monday to Saturday 8:45am to 11:45am; 1:30pm to 4:45pm

Sunday 9:30am to 11:45am, 1:30pm to 4:15pm
Museum Entrance Fee: PhP50.00

Bohol Travel Tip: the wharf in front of Baclayon Church is where you can catch boats that can take you to Pamalican Island (famous for dolphin wathching and the Punta Cruz Watchtower, at a cheap price, instead of renting your own boat that can set you back not less than PhP1000.00)

Labels: Bohol, Central Visayas, Churches, Visita Iglesia

After a day's work in Batangas City just in front of SM City Batangas, Tutubi asked for interesting places to visit in the capital city of Batangas province and was lead to Batangas Cathedral, formally known as Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

here are just two pictures of Tutubi's very brief visit to Batangas Cathedral (taken with an Iphone 4) before going home to Quezon City.

the bell tower and half facade of Batangas Cathedral, limited angle of the iPhone plus obscured by trees

interiors with ceilings adorned by trompe l'oeil paintings similar to San Agustin Church in Manila

Short history of Batangas Cathedral (told on the NHI marker)

1581 founded in honor of the Immaculate Conception
1601 stone foundation for the stone church
1693 built convent with artillery
1851 demolished and re-built
1948 elevated as Minor Basilica

Mass Schedules of Batangas Cathedral (posted at the front of the Batangas church, picture not posted here)

Mondays to Saturdays
5am, 615am 7am, 6pm

Sunday Masses:
445am, 6am, 715am, 830am, 945am, 11am, 430pm, 530pm, 7pm

For weddings, baptisms, and other inquiries, just call Batangas Cathedral's
Contact Number: +63.43.723.1484.
Batangas basilica

Related Posts:

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Lipa, Batangas

Star Toll

Labels: Batangas, Calabarzon, Churches, Visita Iglesia

Reputedly the best preserved old stone church of Nueva Vizcaya can be found in the town of Dupax del Sur that Tutubi tried to pass by just to take a pitcure of the really impressive facade with red bricks for the old belfry.

San Vicente de Ferrer Church Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya

St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church with newly-painted facade but still sporting the red bricks of the bell tower

Dupax del Sur is a town in Nueva Vizcaya that you'll pass by if you're going to Isabela and Tuguegarao (Cagayan) but this old church is at the town center, quite a distance from Maharlika Highway en route to Bambang, Bayombong and Solano towns.

An unplanned trip actually, Tutubi found it by asking locals where it is but he was only able to find it after a few tries in nearby Dupax del Norte.

The church interior may be great to marvel but Tutubi had to go to catch on time plus his stomach is complaining as it's already lunch time.

Doing a Nueva Vizcaya Visita Iglesia may be a different activity, somewhere north east of Metro Manila and about hours away by land.

Labels: Cagayan Valley, Churches, Nueva Vizcaya, Visita Iglesia

Just some sort of drive-by Visita Iglesia in Pangasinan on the way to Bolinao town, you can see two old churches along the way

These are just two drive-by photos, you can see the effect of the car tint plus some slight blur and poor composition :(

St. Raymund the Peñafort Church, Mangatarem, Pangasinan (Mangatarem Church)

Mangatarem church features a large green dome, technically called the apse, common in baroque style churches of old

St. Joseph The Patriarch Church Aguilar, Pangasinan (Aguilar Church):

the church has similar architecture and facade with the churches of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte but not the earthquake baroque style of siblings up north

these two churches are easiest to visit should you decide to do a Visita Iglesia Pangasinan in Holy Week, particularly on Holy Thursday where Catholic faithful visit seven churches.

related posts:
Bolinao Church
Visita Iglesia Ilocos Sur

Labels: Churches, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan, Visita Iglesia

Just two drive-by pictures of two landmarks in Bolinao, Pangasinan: The old stone church of Bolinao, formally called St. James the Great Parish (same with Paete, Laguna making July 25 the date of Bolinao town fiesta) and the red brick Bolinao town hall.

The Bolinao Church was built by the Augustinians in 1609 and still stands to this day. Behind the church is Bolinao Public Market where you can buy danggit at just PhP250.00/kilo (similar danggit in Cebu costs around PhP750.00) but at limited supply. There several hotels, bars, restaurants and hotels in town, and a 24 hour eatery.



Across the church is the red brick Bolinao town hall. In between the two structures is the main road where you can also see stalls selling binungey. Near the town hall are several banks (one of them with an ATM), and a handful of bus companies going to Bolinao either from Manila, Alaminos or Dagupan: Boltex Express, Bolinao Express, Mhel Ben, Dagupan Bus Company, Victory Liner, Santrans, et al.



Related posts on Bolinao, Pangasinan:

Binungey
Puerto del Sol

Labels: Churches, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan

For those planning to go the northbound route to escape the searing summer sun of Manila to celebrate Holy Week, particularly Holy Thursday when Visita Iglesia practice of visiting seven churches, herewith is a suggested Visita Iglesia route and itinerary up north for your reference

From Manila going North to Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, all along or near the National Highway:

1. Tagudin Church, visit also the nearby sundials

2. Sta. Cruz Church (saw by Tutubi but didn't take photo)

3. Sta. Lucia Church


4. Candon Cathedral (St. John Sahagun Parish), buy candon calamay and chichacorn at the pasalubong stalls. (GPS Coordinates: N17° 11.603 E120° 26.93)

Candon Church's colorful interior

5. Santiago Church (St. James Parish)

6. San Esteban Church

7. Sta. Maria Church --- not to be missed due to it's being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Church, of of four Baroque Churches of the Philippines of outstanding universal value.
the church bell tower a few feet away from the main church structure

8. Narvacan Church

9. Santa Church

10. Bantay Church (San Agustin Church), picturesque belfry
the facade of San Agustin, Bantay, with a hint of romanesque architecture

11. St. Paul Cathedral and Simbaan a Bassit of Vigan City

If you're going to Pagudpud, don't forget to drop by Paoay Church, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Laoag Cathedral with the sinking belltower. You may also drop by churches of La Union, particularly the Agoo Cathedral.

Others not on Tutubi's list of Ilocos Sur catholic churches:

Alilem, Banayoyo, Burgos, Cabugao, Caoayan, Cervantes, Galimuyod, Gregorio del Pilar (Concepcion), Lidlidda, Magsingal, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Quirino (Angaki), Salcedo (Baugen), San Emilio, San Ildefonso, San Juan (Lapog), San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Santo Domingo, Sigay, Sinait, Sugpon and Suyo

Labels: Churches, Holy Week, Ilocos Region, Ilocos Sur, Visita Iglesia

An old church with a picturesque bell tower built a few meters separate from the main church building, it is a popular stop for visitors of Vigan, the church entrance gate and service road can be seen on the national highway just across the Petron gas station

the bell tower of St. Augustine Church of Bantay, Ilocos Sur

another look at Bantay Church bell tower

the reconstructed facade of San Agustin, Bantay, a hint of romanesque architecture is visible (tip: visit the church in the afternoon to get better lighting for the facade)

the interiors of the church is modern with steel trusses and supports

Note: a registration table near the church entrance can be sighted. Donations are not necessary but the manner in which the two persons manning the donation box implies it's required or they just don't have the right manners to properly ask Tutubi.

St. Augustine Church Mass Schedule:

Daily masses: 5:30am
Saturday: 7am pilgrim mass for Apo Caridad
Sunday mass schedules: 4:30am, 6:30am, 8:30am

Parish Feast days:
January 12 canonical coronation anniversary Nuestra Senora de Caridad
May 5 Bantay Town Fiesta / Conversion of St. Augustine
September (first Sunday) La Naval Fiesta

Lastly, it was also in the town of Bantay where Diego Silang was killed by Vicos, on a street named Encuentro at the town plaza, now named Diego Silang Park. There also used to be a monument to Miguel Vicos at the town square.

Labels: Churches, Ilocos Region, Ilocos Sur