Buying “PASALUBONG” is of course the perfect way to end a trip. During my early visits to Iloilo the first memory that comes into my mind are the pasalubong houses located around the city. Not until we had an unplanned trip to Iloilo's paradise island of Guimaras. This gives me a warm memory of a place that we accidentally discovered – the Trappist Abbey located in Bgy. San Miguel, Jordan Town in Guimaras Island.
We found this place while rushing back to home after enjoying the white and beautiful beach of Guimaras Island. We want to reach the Jordan Port so that we can take the pump boat that will bring us back to the city proper before it gest dark. I saw some signage and a chapel.
I immediately asked our hired service about it and our driver said some things a bout a chapel, monks and a souvenir store. We forgot about reaching the port before it gets dark. It was a quick decision from the whole family to make a stopover at the chapel to say a thanksgiving prayer. By the time the service stopped we are all running out of the car heading to the chapel while visually auditing the vicinity. We all find it amusing to find such a place. SERENE and PEACEFUL are the perfect words to describe the place.
The place has three major parts. The Guesthouse, The Abbey Church and The Factory.
The sign says:
“Welcome to Our Lady of the Philippines Trappist Abbey. We welcome you as CHRIST would because you are in fact the person of CHRIST. When you come into this place we receive God’s mercy and love in you. Please feel free to join us in our prayers.
Thank you,
The Monks of O.L.P.
The very simple structure of the chapel.
The chapel’s main entrance.
The very modest church interior that gives more meaning to the serenity of the place.
The Trappist Monastery grounds is a peaceful and sacred enclave in Guimaras Island run by monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. These monks follow the rule of St. Benedict and are best known for the extreme austerity or strictness that characterizes their discipline.
The monks earn a living by selling souvenir items and processed foods such as jellies, jams, candies, piyaya and more. They sold it in a small shop within the monastery grounds. All the products are from ingredients grown in the Trappist ground.
People are allowed to tour the monastery grounds, visit their prayer areas and can talk with the monks. There are also available guest houses at reasonable prices. A good place for a retreat. (From various sources)We saw some monks but they seem to be in meditation so we did not bother them. After praying at the chapel we proceeded to the souvenir store.
Amazing! I only see this kind of place in movies and I am feeling so amused that I am actually experiencing it.
I know that it will not be often that we will be in Guimaras so I took the opportunity to give my share to this Abbey. We bought all our pasalubong here in Trappist.
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Aside from the historical churches Iloilo is also famous as the origin of delicious delicacies. Biscocho, Piyaya, Barquillos, Bayi-bayi, Butter Scotch, Pinasugbo and a lot more. 
Wewin’s and Biscocho Haus are two of the popular pasalubong stores in Iloilo City.
The “Biscocho Haus” located in Jaro, Iloilo City has a very nice waiting area. I remember the time when my family was eating some delicacies inside this store/house while seated in a beautiful family bench.
Which among this “pasalubong from Iloilo do you like best?
