Visita Iglesia de Paa 2014 (The 8th Year)

My Visita Iglesia de Paa 2014. 

My 8th year. 

The heat was excruciating but when you have a goal, nothing will stop you. This is my annual panata and I am happy to have successfully done it for 8 years straight. As long as I can do this, I will try to do so. The 
feeling of gratitude and fullfillment afterwards is so worth all the physical discomfort. The 8 hours or more of walking is for a higher sacrifice. Completed again all 13 churches.

Thank you for the guidance, Lord.

1. Claret Church in UP Diliman, QC (Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish)

 2. Sacred Heart Parish 

3. St. Paul the Apostle Parish

 4. Sto.Domingo Church

Free water for the weary and thirsty at Sto. Domingo church

Hope everyday traffic is like this (wishful thinking!)

5. UST Santisimo Rosario Chapel

Sea of people all headed to Quaipo Church

6. Quiapo Church (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene)

As usual, for the past 8 years, w could not get inside the church because it was already filled to thr brim

7. Sta. Cruz Church

8. Binondo Church (Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz)

9. Manila Cathedral

10. San Agustin Church

11. Ermita Church (Nuestra Señora de Guia Parish)

12. Malate Catholic Church (Our Lady of Remedies Parish)

13. Baclaran Church (National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help)

For my own memory, this is the timeline of our journey:

6:00am          Arrived in Teachers Village in QC to park our car(from Bulacan) 
6:10am          1st church: Claret Church in UP Diliman, QC (Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish)
7:00am          2nd church: Sacred Heart Parish in Sct. Ybardolaza QC
7:35am          3rd church: St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Timog Avenue, QC
8:15am          4th church: Sto.Domingo Church in Quezon Avenue, QC
                      - - - stopover at Mercury Drug in España - - -
9:50am          5th church: UST Santisimo Rosario Chapel in Manila
                      - - - stopover at 7-11 in P.Naval - - -
10:45am        6th church: Quiapo Church in Manila (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene)
11:05am        7th church: Sta. Cruz Church in Binondo, Manila 
                      - - - stopover at Mercury Drug in Binondo - - -
11:40am        8th church: Binondo Church in Ongpin 
                      - - - stopover for lunch at Jollibee - - -
1:05pm          9th church: Manila Cathedral 
1:25pm          10th church: San Agustin Church
                      - - - stopover at LUSWELF in Luneta and 7-11 in Kalaw Ave. - - -
2:35pm          11th church: Ermita Church (Nuestra Señora de Guia Parish)
3:00pm          12th church: Malate Catholic Church (Our Lady of remedies Parish)
                      - - - stopover at Aristocrat in Malate for CR break  - - -
                      - - - 2nd stopover near CCP to replace the bandaids in my feet - - -
4:40pm          13th and final church: Baclaran Church (National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help)
                            


Until next year! 


~Lovelee~

Adventurous Travels That Was My 2013

My 2013 was definitely a year of adventurous travels! Crossed countries via land trip and got on some solo travels. I loved it!

Here is a throwdown of my awesome trips!

MONTH: February 

1. VIETNAM

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City. Love the big sunflowers at my back.

Part of the tour in the famous Cu Chi Tunnel. A deeper understanding of the Vietnam war will be explained animatedly by their tourist guides. Never miss a visit here when planning a vacation itinerary of the country.

MONTH: March
2. CAMBODIA

Angkor Wat. Magnificent in all angles. Ancient and intricately-detailed temples that will blow you away with its grandeur. Sunrise is definitely the right way to start your day. Never miss this. The light show of the sun's reflection in the water with the Angkor Wat is amazing!

Ta Phrom. Famous for being a part of the movie Lara Croft: The Tomb Raider. Giant trees and roots will astound you with their sizes. 

This photo op cost me $1 (if i remember correctly). Love this!

3. THAILAND

The famous golden reclining Buddha of Wat Pho.

Another temple in the city that we visited.

Thai Milk Tea and Tom Yum noodles. Had these at a busy side street place. Delish! 

4. SAN PABLO CITY, LAGUNA

One of the seven lakes of San Pablo, and the biggest which is the Sampaloc Lake. Its depths are not known because this used to be a volcanic crater. 

Where I stayed.. Tahanan Ni Aling Meding. Perfect location! My view from my room's balcony was the grand Sampaloc Lake. Love their service too. 

5. NAGCARLAN, LAGUNA

The entrance to the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery. A historical site that rooted from World War II days.

This is the country's only one underground cemetery. Something to really preserve for the future generation's appreciation of our rich history.

6. LILIW, LAGUNA

The famous red church of Liliw...St. John The Baptist Church. 

MONTH: May
7. NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR

The dome in front of the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. This is so beautiful because of the colorful stained glass art on the inside as shown here. From the facade, it's just a dull shade but lo and behold on the inside!  

The province's specialties..Bicol Express and Pinangat at Red Platter. Must-try dishes at a must-try resto!

MONTH: May
8. PAMPANGA

The famous Betis Church of Guagua, Pampanga. A bAroque church that was declared a national treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and the National Commission of the Culture and the Arts (NCCA).  

I did not know that taking of photos was not allowed inside but no one called my attention while I was silently clicking away in awe so I'm very happy for that, could be a once-in-a-lifetime, opportunity. The ceiling murals is likened to that of the Sistine Chapel. 

MONTH: May
9. BATAAN

Before the trip up the Mount Samat National Shrine. I'm not fond of climbing, or stairs, in this scenario but this was one trip that is very worth it. It's my second time but first time was college days so was a long long time ago. 

MONTH: October
10. BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

Masskara Festival season!

A sample of my food trips in Bacolod City. Never fails to satisfy my palette and the prices are very reasonable. Like what I have said dozens of times, Bacolod is a foodies haven!

MONTH: October
11. VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR

Night stroll along the cobbled street of Calle Crisologo. Eerily captivating. Takes you back to the world of old each time you traverse here in this side of the city.

The Bantay Church Bell Tower. A structure with an awesome view of its surrounding landscapes. Built around 1590 and still preserved. A trip up is worth the effort, just be careful of the beam in the stairs area, I bumped my forehead hard there! Hihi!

So, this was my 2013 travels! I sure hope for more new and exciting ones this 2014. =)

~Lovelee~

The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery: The Only One of its Kind in the Philippines

Historical landmarks? It's more fun in the Philippines!

We have lots of these scattered all over the country and we cherish each one of them as they symbolizes our rich culture and history and how it formed our beloved nation from start until the present.

One of these is the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery located in Nagcarlan, Laguna. It is the only one of its kind. An underground crypt that enshrines privileged Catholic families' tombs. It is 15-feet deep below the chapel and was built and designed by the Franciscan friar Vicente Velloc in early 1845.

More historical facts on this revered place is that it was used as a hideout of our patriots during the Revolution of 1896 by the Katipuneros, the Filipino-American War as well as the World War II. Battle plans were formulated in this very place, underneath the shelter of the church up above.

I made the journey to this place alone, coming from San Pablo in Laguna, and here is a rundown of my experience. It was great! I am very lucky to have caught sight of this national historical landmark.

The octagonal grounds, of Spanish colonialism influence on the architecture. Very pristine. Peaceful. 

The National Historical Institute marker. 

I loved this trip. It was enlightening for me. I felt very independent. Solo trips makes one appreciate more the history of the place. Well, that was the effect on me. It made me imagine how it was like during the early times of our ancestors.

The niches above ground. It surrounded the wall grounds. 

Entrance to the chapel.

Two flights of stairs going down to the underground crypt. 

A welcome feeling that was bestowed upon me was the coolness of the place. I loved it! Even if I was all alone. 

Centuries old crypts. Spooky? Not really. Well, I guess unless it is night time already. 

Couldn't resist taking a selfie. It's not everyday that I get to visit places like this. 

The entrance to the cemetery which was being repaired at the time that I visited here. 

Entrance is free. Encouraging a lot of you to come visit this magnificent place for a better appreciation of its history and beauty. 

~Lovelee~