Today is Palm Sunday (Linggo ng Palaspaas), an event which commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Palm Sunday also ushers in the Holy Week (Semana Santa), which is significant even to non-Catholics because of two national holidays, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, which, in conjunction with Araw ng Kagitingan, results to a 5-day long weekend this year 2012 (see also list of 2012 holidays). Continue reading Celebrating Linggo ng Palaspas (Palm Sunday) in the Philippines
Tag Archives: visita iglesia
How Would you Spend the Holy Week?
The Roman Catholic Church reiterates that Holy Week is a time for prayer and reflection, and not for picnics and beach parties, notes a recent news. The declared national regular holidays in April 21 (Maundy Thursday) and April 22 (Good Friday), as well as the special non-working holiday in April 23 (Black Saturday, per Proclamation 150) highlight the importance of the Holy Week in the Philippines. Just how would you spend your time during the Holy Week? Continue reading How Would you Spend the Holy Week?
Laguna Loop: Historical Tour and Visita Iglesia
We’ve noted in the previous post on visita iglesia in Bicol and Ilocos that the Holy Week (semana santa or cuaresma), specifically Maundy Thursday, is the traditional time for visita iglesia (church visit). Some visit seven churches, while those with more time cover fourteen churches. One of the popular pilgrimage and visita iglesia destination is the Laguna Loop, a series of churches in churches surrounding the Laguna Lake. We’ve taken a tour of these churches. Here’s the itinerary. Hopefully it would be of help to others. Continue reading Laguna Loop: Historical Tour and Visita Iglesia
St. Peter of Alcantara Church (Pakil, Laguna)
The town of Pakil, in the province of Laguna. Doesn’t ring a bell. Most probably not. You may be more familiar with the neighboring town of Paete, renowned for its great wood carvers and works of wood art. What surprised us in the trip through the Laguna Loop is the fact that the Pakil Church, or the St. Peter of Alcantara Church, looks better than the Church of Paete. Continue reading St. Peter of Alcantara Church (Pakil, Laguna)
The Nagcarlan Church (Nagcarlan, Laguna)
The Church of Nagcarlan is also known as St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church. It’s one of the beautiful churches along the Laguna Loop, a series of churches along the Laguna Lake frequented in pilgrimage and visita iglesia by the faithful. Continue reading The Nagcarlan Church (Nagcarlan, Laguna)
Our Lady of Penafrancia Basilica (Naga City)
There’s a few churches in the Philippines that are widely known. One of them is the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia in Naga City. Or you might have heard of it as Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica Minore or simply as Peñafrancia of Naga. Continue reading Our Lady of Penafrancia Basilica (Naga City)
Cathedral of San Diego de Alcala (Gumaca, Quezon)
It’s easy to miss this spectacular church when passing through Gumaca, Quezon, especially if you’re not concerned about dropping by any place of interest along the way to Mayon Volcano or to the butanding of Donsol, Sorsogon. Even if you’re looking for historical places along the way, you’d be too concerned which way to turn in the busy main intersection of this town. Continue reading Cathedral of San Diego de Alcala (Gumaca, Quezon)
The Leaning Tower of . . . Milaor (Camarines Sur)
We all know about the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Who would have thought it has a less famous counterpart, the Leaning Tower of . . . are you ready for this . . . . The Leaning Tower of Milaor. It’s found in the town of Milaor, province of Camarines Sur. Continue reading The Leaning Tower of . . . Milaor (Camarines Sur)
Historical Tour and Visita Iglesia in Bicol Churches
The Holy Week (semana santa or cuaresma), specifically Maundy Thursday, is the traditional time for visita iglesia (church visit). Some visit seven churches, while those with more time cover fourteen churches. For those who are incorporating visita iglesia on a trip to Bicol, either to see the Cagsawa Ruins and Mayon Volcano or the butanding (whale sharks) in Donsol, here are the suggested churches, in no particular order: Continue reading Historical Tour and Visita Iglesia in Bicol Churches
Pagbilao Church (Pagbilao, Quezon Province)
Visiting certain churches are done not only for religious purposes, but also for historical reasons. This post is supposed to be made much later, but this is moved forward because some may choose the Pagbilao Church (St.Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church) for the visita iglesia this April (see also Daraga and Nabua). Continue reading Pagbilao Church (Pagbilao, Quezon Province)