The 14 Churches Of Laguna

The Nuestra Señora de Candelaria Parish Church (Mabitac Church) is located above Calvary or Kalbaryo Hill in Mabitac, Laguna. Its church is known for having a staircase of 126 steps and panoramic view of the town of Sta. Maria and Laguna lake.

Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church (Siniloan Church) is the only Roman catholic church in the municipality of Siniloan. Its titular is Saint Peter and Saint Paul whose feast falls every June 29.

Our Lady of Nativity Parish Church (Pangil Church) is located in Natividad, Pangil, Laguna. The statue of the pregnant Virgin Mary (locally known as Virgen de la O) is said to be a gift from King Carlos III of Spain.

The St. Peter of Alcantara Parish Church is designated as the Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba in Pakil, Laguna . It enshrines the Our Lady of Turumba painting.

The Saint James of Apostle Parish Church (Paete Church) in Paete, Laguna. The church is known for its huge and exquisite collection of images depicting the Passion of Christ, its century-old paintings and wooden images of saints (or poon) and feast is celebrated every 25th of July.

The San Sebastian Parish Church in Lumban, Laguna. Its titular is St. Sebastian and its feast is celebrated every January 20. The first tabernacle outside Manila was inaugurated in Lumban including the first Eucharistic Procession outside of Manila. The Franciscans established the first School for Church Music in the country in this town under Father Juan de Santa Maria,OFM.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church in Pagsanjan, Laguna. The oldest church in the Philippines under the patronship of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is home to the patroness of Pagsanjan, Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose image was a gift from Mexico.

The Immaculate Conception Parish Church located along Pedro Guevarra Street, Poblacion, Santa Cruz in Laguna.

The San Antonio de Padua Parish Church in Pila Laguna. Its titular is St. Anthony of Padua whose feast is celebrated every June 13.

St. Augustine Parish Church in Bay, Laguna. The church was first administered by Augustinian priests and later transferred to the Franciscans. 

St. John the Baptist Parish Church in Calamba, Laguna. It is located adjacent to Rizal Shrine and is known as the christening site of José Rizal.

The St. Polycarp Parish Church in City of  Cabuyao in Laguna.

Sta. Rosa de Lima Parish Church originated in 1792 with the arrival of Fray Francisco Favie of the Dominican Order. Prior to this foundation, the town was only a barrio of Binan, and was named "Bucol" because some of the southern parts were hilly. The first house of worship was a"Bisita" constructed on the lot beside the Municipal Hall, then known as the "Presidencia". The structure still stands and serves today as the Police Headquarters and Municipal Jail.

San Isidro Labrador Parish in Binan Laguna.

Together with my good friend Cecile we did this Visita Iglesia covering the 14 churches of 14 towns/cities of Laguna surrounding Laguna Bay. We left Robinson Galleria at around 6.30am boarding a Raymond Bus bound to Infanta Quezon. It took 2 hours to reach Mabitac the first town in western side of Laguna. Then we hop from town to town. We're able to cover all churches at around 8pm.


Mabitac-Sinoloan-Pangil-Pakil-Paete-Lumban-Pagsanjan-Sta.Cruz-Pila-Bay-Calamba-Cabuyao-Sta.Rosa-Binan

Marinduque | The Folk-Religious Moriones Festival

The Moriones festival is a weeklong senakulo in which the streets are overrun by masked locals engaging in mock sword fights and playing pranks on bystanders. Most of the towns in Marinduque participated on this occasion.

It started in 1807 when a parish priest of Mogpog named Padre Dionsio Santiago organized a play based on the story of Longinus. Longinus is a Roman centurion who assigned to execute Christ. His right eye was blind and miraculously restored by a drop of Christ blood. Longinus proclaimed his faith and he was chased around the town, captured and summarily beheaded.

Each municipality of Marinduque holds its own festival. Hundreds of Marinduqueno wear centurion masks and costumes and armed themselves with wooden swords, spears and shields.

The mask takes months to prepare and are kept secret from even close friends and family so that the Moriones true identity is never known.

How to get there:

Take bus bound for Lucena Quezon, one that with signboard "Dalahican Pier".

From the Dalahican Pier board a RORO ferry for Balanacan Pier in Marinduque.

Most jeepneys outside the ferry terminal are available that ply to the different towns of Marinduque

Batog Beach ( Burgos Pangasinan )

how to get there:

From Manila ride a bus bound for Alaminos.
Then hop a jeep/bus that passes the town of Burgos Pangasinan.
From Burgos market charter a tricycle/jeep to Brgy. Ilioilio

For assistance feel free to contact Ms. Evelyn Magno Cabigting

Saranggani | Gumasa Beach : Little Boracay Of Mindanao

Before heading back to Manila I had a quick visit to the beaches of Glan in Saranggani, an hour van ride from General Santos City. Based on the blogs that I’ve read most of the resort there charges a 200 pesos cottage rent even if you not intended to stay there long. 

I hop a van from General Santos to Glan in Sarangani. It took an hour to finally reach the quiet town of Glan. From the terminal I chartered a tricycle to Gumasa where the strip of white sand beaches is located. I told kuya driver if I can access the beach without passing through the beach resort there. We pass by a vacant lot then I am able to see the white and beach of Gumasa. 

  

 

The sand is white and fine. The water is very clear. Some people compare it to Boracay's sand and water but I honestly think Gumasa is a little notch lower than Boracay. But the absence of so many tourists makes Gumasa better than Boracay if you want a peaceful vacation. 

It’s so hot that I just took some photos then we go back to the town of Glan. I roam around the small town then i head back to General Santos city and waited my flight back to Manila.

This is part of the 2nd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Budget | Zamboanga Del Norte | Zamboanga Sibugay | Zamboanga Del Sur | Misamis Occidental | Lanao Del Sur | Cotabato City | North Cotabato | South Cotabato | Saranggani