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.

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.

Via Crucis: The 14 Churches of Iloilo (Part Two)

Click this to read Part One.


One day ain't enough to see all the mystical gems of Iloilo - Churches - that's why on my second day on this journey, I started a little earlier to make sure that I'll get to visit all 14 churches on my list. As early as 6 in the morning, I'm already on my way to my eight church destination.

There's still one church in the southern Iloilo that I've miss, that's why I went back there to complete the southern churches on my list. 

Eighth Destination - Eighth Station - Sto. Nino de Arevalo Church

Sto. Nino de Arevalo houses what is said to be the third oldest Sto. Nino image here in the Philippines, and despite of its claim of having an old image of Sto. Nino, the structure of this church has this modern simple appeal. With high ceiling, which is very common to most Catholic churches in the country, and walls that are mostly made of steel grills, Sto. Nino de Arevalo appeals to those who prefer a simpler place to pray. 

When I visited the place, I must say that its cleanliness is what attracted me. The white statues of saints that are planted on the side of the church is also an additional attraction here in Sto. Nino de Arevalo, though, it wasn't that really appealing, I know.

Via Crucis: The 14 Churches of Iloilo (Part One)

I had this fascination over the architectural design of churches as early as 10 years old. My aunt who's into Via Crucis asked me one time to join her on Via Crucis, and from then on, it's been my share of sacrifices during Holy Week, and its been a goal of mine to see more churches here in the country and abroad.

Upon learning that Iloilo nests a number of truly mystifying churches, I set foot on this very welcoming province last year. But my journey then wasn't enough to explore all of its gems, so this year, I visited the place again and devoted my whole trip in seeing these architectural gems.

I'm no pro when it comes to architectural designs, so if you find something wrong on this post, please correct me. ^_^

Arriving at Iloilo Airport on a cloudy Thursday morning wasn't part of the plan. I'm planning to see 6 or 7 churches that same day, so the positivism is all over me from our home in Tondo down here in Iloilo.

Btw, Iloilo Airport is like a small NAIA Terminal 3, and I love it!

Reaching my first destination for this Via Crucis trip has two options, but since I'm on a hurry, due to the coming dark clouds, I took the shuttle going to SM Iloilo.

Via Crucis: 14 Churches of Manila

I've been doing this Visita Iglesia thing or Via Crucis since I was in the 4th grade. It opened my eyes to the wonderful story of sacrifices made by Jesus, as well as it opened my eyes to the amazingly made churches here in the Manila.

And now, let me share to you my journey as I complete the 14 stations of the cross of Jesus Christ with these 14 amazing churches of Manila City.