Marinduque: Surprises that Await on the Land of the Morions

Just when I thought that experiencing the world-renowned Moriones Festival would be enough to suffice my long-time dream of visiting Marinduque, I guess God has rewarded me for patiently waiting for this chance by showing more of this humble yet very beautiful province.

Since traveling by air was suspended for until who knows when, taking a 2-3 hour land trip via SLEX to Lucena Port and then another 2-3 hour ferry trip via RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off ferry) from Lucena Port to Balanacan Port, Mogpog, Marinduque, reaching the humble shores of Marinduque won’t be a problem – well at least in our case.

We went there last Holy Week, and though I must indicate that we were just lucky to have a host who planned this trip really, really good, as well as our accommodations too, going to Marinduque on such a peak season would need a great planning - and by planning I mean really, really a head of time.

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.

Kamay Ni Hesus: Lucban's Holy Week Destination

Just in case you have no plans of going out far this Holy Week, but still wanted to see the country in a different way - a church and healing center in Lucban, Province of Quezon has been becoming a popular Holy Week destination since it was opened to the public in 2004. Fr. Joey A. Faller and some of his friends are behind this majestic Risen Christ grotto that you can only see at Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church.

I've been eyeing to visit this place since I heard of its miraculous works and truly inspiring story, and luckily, last year, I finally had the chance not only to see but do the Station of the Cross or Via Crucis by climbing its 305-step Via Dolorosa Grotto, where the world's 3rd tallest Risen Christ is standing. It is 50 feet in height, to be exact - and overseeing almost the whole lot of Lucban and its neighboring cities and municipalities.

But before we proceed to the Grotto, let me take you first to the other places of interests that you could find here inside Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church.

Via Crucis: 14 Churches in Metro Manila East (part 2)

from part 1....

Going around the Metro Manila East side is quite easy even with or without a car, and finding one nice church to continue your Visita Iglesia comes a little easy to. So, to continue sharing the Visita Iglesia that I did with my aunt last year, here are the rest of the churches that we visited on the eastern part of the metropolis....

The Eighth Church - San Felipe Neri Church

Located along Boni Avenue on the bustling City of Mandaluyong, San Felipe Neri Church is the only church in the whole country erected under the name of San Felipe de Neri, the old name of Mandaluyong City after it gained its independence from the Municipality of San Juan del Monte back in March 27, 1907.

San Felipe Neric Church is considered the oldest church in this city, showing stoned walls that has been there since the Spanich colonization.

Ssan Felipe Neri is the patron of Joy.

Via Crucis: 14 Churches in Metro Manila East (part1)

Did you know that aside from the historic and truly majestic churches that one can find in Manila City, there are also some numerous and architecturally appealing churches and chapels that you can find in the eastern part of the metropolis - primarily in Pasig City, Mandaluyong City and Quezon City. And on these cities I had my Holy Week devotion last year - the Visita Iglesia.

Visita Iglesia has been my devotion since I was in fourth grade. And together with my two aunts, we are always out on the street visiting 14 churches every Maundy Thursday or the day when Visita Iglesia is usually  done.