Pilgrimage to Manaoag

My friend, Ate Kat; my brother, Paul; and I joined our parish's Pilgrimage to Manaoag.  Manaoag is considered to be the Pilgrims Center of the North since it's in the province of Pangasinan.

I feel really blessed because when I attended the first Friday mass for May the announcement about the pilgrimage was announced by the commentator.  I would not have learned about the pilgrimage had it been announced on a Sunday because I attend mass regularly at the Feast in Quezon City.

It was not hard to convince Paul to join me because it has been ages since we went to Pangasinan, actually, we just passed by Pangasinan on our way to Baguio City years ago.  We of course have never been to Manaoag and we all know that May is the month for Flores de Mayo which honors our Blessed Virgin.  Plus the fee for the whole trip was only P700.00 and there's a side trip to San Fabian PTA Beach also in Pangasinan.

We were at the St. Joseph's Shrine as early as 3:40 a.m. on May 19, 2012, to join the other excited parishioners in waiting for the seven chartered buses that will take us to Manaoag.

Our bus arrived at 4:30 a.m. and we left Quezon City a few minutes after. We prayed the rosary and read some bible scriptures inside the bus.  It was a long and tiring 5 hour trip to Manaoag.  We could have come much earlier had we not stopped two times for comfort room breaks  :)

my brother on board the chartered bus to Manaoag

We were instructed to explore the church grounds, buy pasalubongs and souvenirs and be inside the church for the 11:00 a.m. mass to be celebrated by Fr. Mon Eloriaga, our parish priest.  The place was full of devotees.

The facade of the church

The Shrine of Nuestra Senora del Santissimo Rosario de Manaoag  (Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag) was established by the Dominican Order in 1605.  The present church structure was built in 1901.  The ivory image of the Blessed Virgin Mary came from Spain.  Documents dating back to the 1610 attest that a farmer saw the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding a rosary on her right and the baby Jesus on her left hand on a tree top instructing him to build a church in the spot where she appeared.  The site of the apparition is where the church now stands.

The feast day of Our Lady of Manaoag is every third Sunday after Easter.

The place was known before as "Sapa" and became known as "Manaoag" in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The word Manaoag comes from the word "tawag" or "calls."  Because the farmer heard the call of Our Lady before the apparition.  And every pilgrim who comes to the site is called out by the Our Lady of Manaoag.

I really feel that it was the Blessed Virgin Mary telling me clearly in my heart that it is the time for me to visit her.  I hope I can go on a pilgrimage to Manaoag yearly.

The church is full of devotees 

Our Lady of  Manaoag is the patroness of the poor, the sick and the helpless.  

Aside from the beautiful church, you can also visit the wishing well building and the candle lighting area outside the church, as well as the rosary garden, a museum and a religious shop.

This image can be found at the wishing well building

At the rosary garden, life style statues depicting the mysteries of the rosary.

Inside the museum, various church artifacts were on display.  There's an area inside the museum where you can write down your petitions to Our Lady.

There was still so much to see at the Shrine of the Nuestra Senora del Santissimo Rosario de Manaoag but we were pressed by time that we were not able to explore everything thoroughly.  We had to be back at the bus after the mass because it was still an hour drive to San Fabian Beach where will be having our lunch.We were just grateful that we were able to hear mass at this sacred place.

I'll be back soon for my San Fabian Beach post.:)

A Day At The Avilon Zoo

It has been ages since the last time I went to the zoo.  I was only four when my parents brought me to the Manila Zoo and never been back to the zoo until now.


My siblings and I usually go out of town every time there's a holiday or long weekend break, and May 1, 2012, being a holiday, our itchy feet just can't seem to spend the day at the house.  The holiday being on a work week, we had to go to a place nearer to Quezon City so that we still have ample time to rest after a visit to whenever we want to go.

So Avilon is the place to go for this day trip.


AVILON ZOO is the largest zoological park to date at the country with a sprawling 7.5 hectares of land for the animals.  Avilon which means "land of the bird," showcased so many beautiful animals.  The place is clean, well-organized, the staff are courteous and the animals are well-fed and well-taken care of.

HOW TO GET THERE - Avilon is located at Barrio San Isidro, Montalban, Rizal.   Avilon is besides Noah's Park.  So if you have a lot of time in your hands you can also visit Noah's Park and take a swim at this beautiful resort.  My siblings and I went to Noah's Park in 2010.


How to reach Avilon?


by car - From Aurora Boulevard turn left towards the Marikina Overpass, upon alighting from the overpass this long stretch of road is known as A. Bonifacio Street. Along this road, you will pass by the Riverbank Mall, Loyola Memorial Cemetery and the Marikina Bridge. After the Marikina Bridge turn left to J. P. Rizal Avenue that will pass through Concepcion, Fairlane, Green Heights , Green Meadows and finally you will see the Welcome Arch of San Mateo, Rizal. Continue transversing this long stretch of road until you spot the Welcome Arch of Rodriguez, Rizal. You will not get lost just follow a jeepney plying the Montalban route.

Once you've entered Montalban (now called Rodriguez) be on the look out for the Total Gas Station. Turn left on the first street after the gas station and then turn right. You will see a narrow road in between a water spillway.


Cross that narrow road, turn left towards the first street, you will see a sign that says this way to Avilon Zoo  You will not missed it because there's a quarrying site near the street.

From here it will become a bumpy ride to Avilon because its just a dirt road. Just follow the signboard for Avilon Zoo and you will not be lost.

by public vehicle - ride either an FX or Jeep with a Montalban sign at Cubao, alight at Total Gas Station and then just ride a tricycle to Avilon. Make arrangements with the driver to pick you up later in the afternoon when you're about to go home because only a few tricycles pass through Avilon Zoo.

ENTRANCE FEE TO AVILON ZOO:

Adult - P300.00

Children - P200.00

Children below a year old - FREE
20% discount for senior citizens
Tour guide service - P400.00


SCHEDULE
Weekdays 8:00a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Weekends and Holidays 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

WHAT TO SEE and DO AT THE PARK - There's just too many animals to see at the Avilon Zoo, so many species of birds, monkeys,bears,turtles,wild pigs,crocodiles; so I just picked the ones that are my favorite.

1. The wide lagoon where the black swans and wild ducks swim and roam freely, interacting with the visitors.

2. Koi fish pond - the fish pond full of colorful koi fish

3. Capybara - the capybara is the largest rodent in the world.  The first time I get to know and see that such animals exist.

4. This huge white tiger - my first time to see this very big tiger, very scary. This one I think is taller than me.  The tiger kept on pacing back on forth around his huge cage; I guess he was hungry and he wanted to attack and eat us. :)  This was bf's favorite. He was just amazed to see this animal.

5. This very calm leopard - The leopard was oblivious to the people staring at him.  He sat near the cage and was never interested at looking at us which was far different from the white tiger.

6. Flamingos - The flamingos were beautiful and they looked really graceful standing on one leg.

7. Black Bear - I failed to take a picture of this bear as he peels and eats the bananas being thrown at him. Visitors can feed him 4 bananas for P20.00

8. Have your picture taken with these colorful birds

9. If you want  you can have a picture with Trixie, the orangutan, too.

10. Feed the guinea pigs at the Petissimo station

Side Notes


1. Wear comfortable shoes or slippers because you'll do a lot of walking while you are at Avilon.

2. You can bring your own food to Avilon.  There's a lot of designated places you can eat around the area.

3. Bring water while touring the area especially on a hot day.  The place is really huge.  There's so much to explore.

4. There's a canteen inside the Avilon so food and water will never be problem.

5. The zoo sells koi fish and guinea pigs.

6. There's a souvenir shop inside the zoo.

Beautiful Caleruega

CALERUEGA - CLOSE TO NATURE, CLOSER TO GOD

For the past three years, my siblings and I would spend Holy Thursday and Good Friday at home.  After fasting, praying and being quiet on the said days, our Saturdays would be reserved for out of town trips.

This year we went to Caleruega at Brgy Kaylaway, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas. 

Caleruega is a favorite place for retreats, workshops, outdoor camping, team building, agricultural seminars and others.  The vast hills of Caleruega enables you to commune with nature and feel God's love. This place is run by the Dominican Order.

It’s a beautiful place with stunning views, plus it got a cool weather.

HOW TO GET TO CALERUEGA

If you are commuting to Caleruega, ride a Nasugbu, Balayan or Calatagan bound bus.  We went to Araneta Bus Station in Cubao and rode a Balayan-bound San Agustin bus.  The fare was P128.00.  I informed the bus conductor that we are going to Caleruega and that we would like to get off at Evercrest Golf Club and Resort.

It was a pleasant, easy trip to Tagaytay City passing through the long Aguinaldo Highway.  A lot of the bus passengers alighted at the Tagaytay rotunda for their Holy Week break.   We were met by heavy traffic along Tagaytay proper until after Mendez.  I guess everyone was at Tagaytay that weekend to escape the summer heat in the Metro.  After a few minutes, the conductor told us that we were at the Evercrest Golf Club and Resort. 

As we alighted from the bus, we were met by children asking if we were going to Caleruega and pointed the next available tricycle to the place.  The tricycle driver informed us that the fare was P20.00 for each passenger.

It was a long 2 km ride from the entrance of Evercrest Golf Club and Resort to Caleruega.   I immediately got the driver’s mobile number, so I can text him when it was time for us to leave the place.  Be sure to get your drivers number because I'm sure you wouldn't want to walk back to the main highway.

ENTRANCE FEE:  P30.00

WHAT TO SEE AT CALERUEGA:

1. The Transfiguration Chapel - The facade of this beautiful chapel is similar to the original chapel that the Dominican Order has in Caleruega, Spain.  This chapel is a favorite wedding destination.  Couples who wish to get married here usually have to reserve the chapel for at least a year prior to their actual wedding date.  The chapel is made from brick.  Inside the 150-seat capacity place of worship, you can see the magnificent glass-stained window showing Moses, Elijah and Jesus Christ, the main characters in the story of the transfiguration in the gospel.

2. The ethnic inspired Way of the Cross - The Stations of the Cross were carved and interpreted depicting Jesus and the apostles as "Ifugaos."

3. The Koi Pond below this beautifully constructed steel bridge - big, colorful Koi fishes, man-made waterfall

4. The Camp Site and Picnic Grounds - 

5. The Earth Cafe -  Take a quick snack here, buy Koi fishes or bring home some souvenirs and treats

6. The Hanging Bridge

7. The Tent Chapel - Most people fail to see this beautiful chapel on top of the hill because right after the hanging bridge, you'll see this vast open field that seems like a dead end.  To get to the Tent Chapel, cross the hanging bridge and climb the steep hill to your left.  It's a long, tiring ascend but the view is nevertheless spectacular.

8. The Beautiful Scenery

9. The Wooden Seesaw - Make a quick rest and sit on one of these wooden seesaw scattered along the place.

WHAT TO DO AT CALERUEGA:


1.  Pray 

2. Reflect and stay for a few days - There are dormitories and cottages where you can stay to have a retreat.  Inquire at the reception area of Caleruega for their rates.


3. Pause for a few minutes to commune with nature


4. Have a Picnic -  It's best to bring your own food because the Earth Cafe at Caleruega has limited food selections, and they don't serve lunch.


5. Take lots of pictures - There are so many lovely spots to have your pictures taken so take advantage of the beautiful landscapes and make those shots.

It's a wonderful Holy Week Break for me and my loved ones.  I can't wait to go back to Caleruega again.

On Board the M.V. Logos Hope

 

Last March 4, 2012, my brother, my boyfriend and I went to the South Harbor, Manila Bay to visit the MV Logos Hope.
 
It was our first time to go to the South Harbor.  I am more familiar with the North Harbor because my brother and I rode the Sun Cruiser II ferry when we went to Corregidor at the North Harbor. Because we don't know how to go to the South Harbor we rode the taxi going there, and it turned out that it was just near the Manila Hotel.



ENTRANCE FEE TO THE MV LOGOS HOPE:  P20.00

It was a Sunday when we went to the MV Logos, so there's a long queue of people lining outside to enter the ship.  But despite waiting long at the line, I was still giddy with excitement to see the books sold at the MV Logos Hope

MV Logos Hope is the largest floating bookstore in the world.  Before the MV Logos Hope, there was the MV Logos which made its maiden voyage in 1970, followed by the MV Logos II and the MV Doulos.  MV Logos Hope is run by GBA Ships, e.V, a German based Christian organization which aims through its MV Logos Hope to bring knowledge, help and hope to the different ports their ship sails to and docked at.

All of the ship's crew are volunteers from 50 different countries around the world.  They stay on board the ship for a maximum of two years, and they help serve in the communities of the ports they visit.

WHAT TO SEE ON BOARD THE SHIP:

1.  The raft-like reception area where you will be made to watch a video about MV Logos Hope's history and mission.  On the left-side of the raft, you can see the pictures and history of the past vessels of GBA Ships which also served as a floating bookstore.

2.  The bookstore which carries more than 5000 titles.  The system of payment here is in units.  100 Units = P100.00.  The books are sold at affordable prices.  Aside from books,there are CDs and various MV Logos Hope Souvenirs as well.

Narnia books are at P200.00 only

3.  A visual presentation along the ship called the Journey of Life

4. The International Cafe that has hotdogs, popcorn, ice cream and others.

5. The theater - were they hold cultural presentations.

ACTIVITIES ON BOARD

1. Buy books.  It has many titles that are not readily sold at the local bookstore and are sold at cheap prices.

These books are at P25.00 and P50.00 only

2. Watch the cultural presentations.

3. Chat with the crew.  My brother and I were blessed to have met Sarah, a volunteer teacher from UK.  She gave a moving testimony about her faith and the three of us prayed together right at the middle of the theater.

with Sarah , one of the crew from UK

4. Eat at the cafe.  My boyfriend bought a Coke vanilla flavor which is not available here in Manila.  But I was not able to taste it because I gave up softdrinks for Lent.

5. Take pictures.

6. Get free books which can be found near the exit of the ship.

MV Logos Hope is now stationed at Subic Freeport and from there, it will sail to Bitung, Indonesia on June 29, 2012 and to Sattahip, Thailand on September 2, 2012.

I can't wait to visit the ship again when it visits Manila in the future.