Via Crucis: 10 Churches of Bicolandia (Part 2)

The abundance of distinct and captivating church structures in the Province of Albay continues to sprawl up to the neighboring provinces of Camarines Sur. And as I continue my journey of discovering the wonderful creations of Bicolanos, I discovered more historical and architecturally pleasing churches that stole my heart and soul.

For this second part, I'm sharing to you 5 of the most stunning churches that I visited as I take my journey back home from my cousin's place in Tiwi, Albay. It is so easy to navigate by land from Manila to Albay and back. Local buses transport all-day traversing the long stretch of highways connecting Manila to the southern provinces of Luzon.

Via Crucis: 10 Churches of Bicolandia (Part 1)

As a solo traveler, one of the most memorable places that I've visited is the Bicolandia region. With its majestic volcanoes painting the sky with such a striking images, Bicolandia also poses some soul-lifting churches that are perfect to see if you are planning to do a Via Crucis or Visita Iglesia this Holy Week in this side of the country.

Though there may be more beautiful churches to see than the 10 that I’ve recently visited, these 10 are just some of the spots that draw not just pilgrims but also tourist of this humble but very breathtaking province.

Exploring the southern part of Luzon has been my dream for a very long time. A region boasts with amazing array of natural resources, Bicolandia or Bicol  possesses the most captivating scenery and culture that you can enjoy by going around its provinces; by tasting every unique and spicy dish they've have created out of their creative minds; and by just being with its sincere and loving people, the Bicolanos.

Tayo na sa Antipolo!

It's been more than a decade now since I started doing Station of the Cross or Via Crusis, and during those years, I usually barefooted people walking on the street, who look  like they are going out on a field trip. 

Well, They are actually on a field trip, but instead of taking bus, they are all walking. I only discovered that they are all heading towards the mountain when I started discovering the churches in the eastern part of Metro Manila. Yes, during Maundy Thursday, pilgrims are all heading to Antipolo - to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage or Immaculate Conception Parish and then take on separate routes as they leave the place on the morning of Good Friday.

If you'll have a chance to visit the churches in the eastern part of Metro Manila - churches in Pasig, Mandaluyong, some parts of Quezon City and Makati - on Maundy Thursday, you'll notice this great number of people walking barefoot. There are some who are wearing uniformed shirts and yes again, they are all heading to one direction. Mostly youth, these people are doing an old tradition of hiking up to Antipolo for the annual pilgrimage to Lady of Peace and Good Voyage .

If I'm not mistaken, my first and last pilgrimage to the Church of Antipolo was when I was still in Primary School. I was so young then and I was with my old aunts and old neighbors, so we didn't walk, rather we hired a jeepney to take us up to Antipolo.