Visita Iglesia Adventure 2015

EVEN WHEN I WAS A KID, our family never take the holy week season as an opportunity to hit the beach and enjoy the week-long vacation. We only have two options: stay at home or go out and visit churches. For two years now, I'm celebrating the Holy Week season with my best buddies, visiting new churches and appreciating the stories behind its walls. Let me share to you my Visita Iglesia 2015 adventures, I hope you'll go and visit these churches next year!

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Last year we invaded the churches within Bacoor city, Binakayan, Tanza, Rosario, Cavite city and Imus city. As for this year, we decided to go for a good road trip--so we chose Tagaytay city:)

We rode an ordinary bus going to our first destination (it was fun but I think my face foundation becomes thicker because of the dust and everything.. haha!)

That's me! wearing headphones.. with my fave buddies: (L-R) Joyce, Gilbert, Andrei and Justin

Our first stop: Angel's Hills :) (how do we get there? we rode a bus with a signage 'Alfonso, Tagaytay' and just told the reliable bus conductor to drop us there.. hehe )

ANGEL'S HILLS. I love the church 'coz its so solemn and at the same time
the surrounding areas are perfect for reflecting and praying.

Second stop: Pink Sisters:) (Oh I really love their pink...dress? uniform? whatever you call that :) ) The church is just a few steps away from the angel's hills.

PINK SISTERS. There was a lot of people there when we arrived, all of them
moving along the stations of the cross, some are grabbing the chance to took
some pictures 'coz the place was really full of greens.

Time Check? Oh! it's already lunch time! yah right, we're humans guys, we need to eat. I need to eat! So we get off and ride a jeepney going to Olivarez rotanda, in search for good food that could fill our growling guts. But the search was literally tiring---stores were closed 'coz its Good Friday (yes, we did our Visita Iglesia on Good Friday, thinking that there'll be fewer human beings haunting the streets---but we're wrong) 

Then I saw this store... my favorite! but IT'S CLOSED.

HOPELESS. my stomach is already grumbling...huhu..why? why are you closed?!

But in times of crisis like this, God has good plans for you... We discovered this restaurant (it's not classy, not what you're thinking) with a very funny name but a very cozy, close to nature ambience. 

AT PAPA PRITO. too bad I don't have pictures of the interiors :( This shot was taken
at the roof top of the store, perfect view of the Taal Lake :)

Third stop: Our Lady of Manaog Church :) From the Rotanda, just ride a tricycle (50 pesos for each person) and they will surely beat the traffic and deliver you in front of the church in less than 10 minutes.

MANAOG. There is an Inner Peace center inside where you can pray solemnly,
but we chose not to enter 'coz the line was too long and we still need to visit
other churches.

Fourth stop: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chucrh :) or  Ina ng Laging Saklolo Parish, I was amazed by the large rosary adorning the entrance of the church.

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP. A church covered with red bricks---
reminds everyone to pray the rosary.

Fifth stop: Our Lady of Lourdes Church :)  (From the rotonda, you just need to walk and pass by the Ayala District Mall Tagaytay)

OUR LADY OF LOURDES PARISH. a perfect view of the church.

From the Lourdes Church, we took a bus going to Nasugbu, Batangas. Our destination: Caleruega Church and Chapel by the Hills. Unfortunately, we found ourselves lurking in an unknown place! the bus conductor forgotten us and took us pass by the organic farms and to Nasugbu town proper :( But he managed to transfer us to another bus and finally after a dragging 2-hour drive, we reached our destination.

Sixth stop: Caleruega Church :) From the intersection of Batulao, we rented a tricycle that took us to the church. It was just a 15-20 minute-drive, depending on the traffic situation. When we got there, there was a massive number of vehicles going in and out of the location. 

CALERUEGA CHURCH. It was literally tiring to reach the top and have this
photo taken! whew! but it's all worth it :)

And since the church is located in a very nice place, close to nature, we grabbed the opportunity to have our amateur photo shoots :)

A PERFECT SUNSET :) I love watching sunsets like this...

Seventh stop: Chapel by the Hills :) It's already dark when we got there, and looking for the stations of the cross was quite scary 'coz its so dark...

CHAPEL BY THE HILLS. yes I know, it's kinda creepy.

Hooray! that ends my Visita Iglesia adventure :) After visiting those churches, I realized several things... First, we should all grab the opportunity given by this Lenten season to explore our spiritual side rather than satisfy our physical wants to experience the hottest summer activities. Actually, you can still have that enjoyment you're craving for while performing your task as a bonafide Christian. Secondly, This season is meant for reflecting, which you can't do while you're in the beach or somewhere else. You have the whole summer to enjoy the road trip and splash in pools, but you've got only a week to totally surrender everything to God, pray and give thanks.  Don't take that for granted. Lastly, it's really fun doing this whole 'penitensya'- thing with friends :) You're enjoying together at the same time leading each other towards the love of God. 

May you all have a great day ahead! God Bless! 

Photo credits: japsalazar

--Miss G

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