109/365: Churches: Vicita Iglesia 2014. From The City To The Highlands

19th of April

As much as I am excited to post today the next entry for Churches and Places of Worship series, I am taking a break to give way to my annual post and sharing about my observance of  Vicita Iglesia.

We started a bit late again this year and the sun is already at its killer rays when we head out to visit seven churches at around past 7AM. We decided that we will be visiting 7 churches again this year because we are not sure that we will find 14 churches along the route that we plotted on this day only.

1st Station: SHRINE OF THE FIVE WOUNDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Administered by the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers located at Real Street, Talon I, Las Piñas City, Philippines.  One of the churches that surprised me because I’m not expecting to find it by chance – majestically built in the heart of this town.

2nd Station: ST. JAMES THE GREAT PARISH

Located inside the posh Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City.  A combination of modern and classic architecture that is definitely worth writing about so I will not elaborate about this magnificent edifice,  Just watch out for the special post.

3rd Station: NOTRE DAME DE VIE CHAPEL

I was looking for a church and I found a fairy tale place!  Located in Las Piñaz Rizal, Philippines - adjacent to the breathtaking Fernbrook Gardens.  A special post is definitely coming up!

4th Station: OUR LADY OF SACRED HEART

A modern and well –maintained church located in the town of Bacoor Cavite, Philippines

5th Station: JESUS NAZARENO PARISH

A humble and yet mysterious looking church located at Dasmariñas, Cavite.

6th Station: NUESTRA SEÑORA DE CANDELARIA

Also known as the Silang Church because it is located at the town of Silang, Cavite, Philippines  A church built in the 1500 is definitely worth writing about.

7th Station: ADORATION CONVENT OF DIVINE MERCY (Pink Sisters Convent and Monastery)

The famous home of the Pink Sister located in the peaceful highland city of Tagaytay.  A wish come true for me and it would be my pleasure to share you the story. 



Though we know that there will be more churches that we will be passing by as we head to the commercial center of Tagaytay, I opted to complete the 14 Stations on this convent to take advantage of the solemnity of this place that has long been listed on my wishes.

ANGELS’ HILLS CHAPEL

Located at Angels’ Hills Retreat House just right beside the Pink Sisters Convent in Tagaytay City also.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES PARISH

Located along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu- Highway.  This church is known for wedding and I am also including among the list that I will be writing more about.



After we’re done with our Vicita Iglesia we headed to the Summit Ridge to freshen up and have our delayed lunch.  I had never seen Tagaytay like this day. There was heavy traffic specially along the roads leading to the Pink Sisters Convent and the other retreat houses.

It is kind of amusing to see that malls and establishments in Tagaytay were all operational on Good Friday.  Unlike in Manila where almost all the the malls are closed starting Maundy Thursday up to Good Friday.  But in spite of the buzz in the commercial areas, this city remains to emanate the presence of peace and tranquility that made our observance more meaningful.

He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life. ~William Law~

108/365: Good Friday Scenes Around The City

19th of April

As we head to our annual observance of Vicita Iglesia we are expecting to see different ways of Filipino traditions during the observance of Holy Week.

These scenes are not new to me. I grew up exposed to these kind of observance from my provincial home town and I am hoping that someday I will be able to share them on this blog on a well-written article and how these observance has something to do with my growing up. 

It’s kind of amuse me that every year I still see this observance in the busy city.  Let me share them with you though this photo talk.  Please bear with the photos quality as I randomly took them using a digital camera while on a moving vehicle.

The carrying of heavy wooden cross and the whipping at the back with an open wound is the common act of self-flagellation that I normally see every year.  This is the first time that I witnessed the hooded barefoot devotees walk with their hands in a sitting position and they are walking in the same speed of the other devotees who are doing their rites walking with their foot in the scourging heat of the sun.  As I watched them I found it as as tough and difficult as the other act of self-flagellation.

Most of the churches we visited are getting ready with the images of the saints they will be using for the procession on the night of Good Friday.

As we reached Tagaytay City we were trapped in heavy traffic particularly on the roads leading to the retreat houses and convents.

The solemn place of the Pink Sisters Convent and Monastery were flocked by people observing the “Passion of Christ”.

It was amusing to see though that when we reached the highland’s commercial area, the place is abuzz with normal business operations.  You won’t even feel that it was Good Friday there.  It was an exact opposite scene versus the city proper where almost all business and commercial establishments are closed. 

In the Catholic observance the culmination of the observance of Good Friday is the procession of saints images in the early evening of the same day.  Huge images of saints commemorating from Jesus entry to Nazareth, to crucifixion to his death in Calvary are being paraded in almost every town.  The main image of which is the “Santo Intierro”  or the dead Christ.

The photos were taken from Parañaque City at the start of the procession when all the images were headed out from the church yard. It automatically brought me to the memory of the time I was attending this same procession back in my provincial home.

The Santo Intierro

What bothers me while watching the procession was when I saw a bunch of teenage girls wearing heavy make up on their faces.  They really came prepared for the procession with their candles on their hands complete with the round card board to protect their hands from being burned from the melted candles while on the procession.  But what annoyed me most to the point of almost screaming at them is that they were wearing SHORT SHORTS (modernly called as “pekpek shorts”).

I restrained myself from taking their photos with their scandalous shorts or calling their attention.   I just prayed…  Jesus Mary and Joseph!