Via Dolorosa Antipolo

After visiting the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral of Antipolo last March 30, my siblings, their girlfriends and I went to Via Dolorosa.

From the Antipolo Cathedral, we rode a tricycle and just told the driver that we are going to Via Dolorosa.
 

The huge white cross of Via Dolorosa

Via Dolorosa is a place of prayer and meditation in Pinagmisahan Hills.  This place is also known as the White Cross because of the large white cross found on top of one of the hills.  Masses and "Alay Lakad" are usually held here especially during the Lenten Season.

The altar of the chapel where masses are held

 

At Via Dolorosa, you can pray the Stations of the Cross.  There are life size sculpture of Jesus and the scene representing that particular station.  Doing the stations of the cross here requires one not only to pray but also to sacrifice.  It is not easy to go through the stations because the paths are rocky especially the one where Jesus was crucified, there are big boulders blocking the path and some of the stations are on top of the hills that you need to climb.

 

The 1st Station - the Last Supper

The Second Station - Jesus Agony in the Garden

the hill to climb to the next station

the big boulders blocking the way to the 13th Station - Jesus Dies on the Cross

 

 

 

 

The 14th Station - Jesus is Laid on the Tomb

Aside from the Stations of the Cross, there are also life-sized carved statues depicting the mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

The Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

This place is very peaceful, you can hear the humming of the birds.  The gardens and the surroundings are well-kept. 

Coming down the hill from the last station, you can stop at this shaded area and meditate

the White Cross on top of the hill and the replica of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage of Antipolo

Entrance is free but you are encouraged to make a donation for the maintenance of the place.

Food and drinks are not allowed inside Via Dolorosa because it is meant to be a place for prayers and meditation and also to keep the place clean.

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage - Antipolo City

Image from Wikipedia

Last Black Saturday, my siblings and their girlfriends and I went on a pilgrimage to Antipolo City.  It has been ages since I went to the Antipolo Cathedral.  The last time I was there was when I was just 15 years old to participate at our parish's May pilgrimage.  At that time, we did an Alay Lakad, we walked to Antipolo City from Aurora Boulevard where our parish, St. Joseph's Shrine was located.

My parents used to go to Antipolo City every May as a Thanksgiving to the Virgin of Antipolo.  They asked for her special intercession to heal my youngest brother when he was still a baby because he had a congenital disease for which he had a colostomy and three operations. My brother received his complete healing before he turned one and he is now 28 years old and was with us during this pilgrimage to Antipolo.

The Nuestra Senora dela Pay y Buen Vieje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) or more popularly known as Our Lady of Antipolo is the patron saints of travelers and sailors.  A lot of people go here to pray for her protection in their travels and to have their cars blessed.

Blessing of vehicles are done everyday and it is for free, but it will be better if you donate any amount.If you donate a hundred pesos, you will be given a miniature image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage as a gift.

Image from Wikipedia

The Nuestra Senora dela Pay y Buen Vieje is a dark carved wooden statue made in Mexico just like the Black Nazarene in Quiapo.  It was brought to the country via the Galleon ship, El Almirante from Acapulco, Mexico by the Governor of the Philippines, Don Juan Nino de Tabora in March 1626.  The image of the Blessed Virgin Mary was first brought to the Saint Ignatius Church in Intramuros, Manila and was transferred to Antipolo in 1632.  It is interesting to note that this statue traveled seven times on board the Galleon ships via Manila - Acapulco - Manila route as patroness or protector of the Acapulco trade.

Every time I was here before, it was during the month of May which is the month where it receives a lot of pilgrims.  The church was always teeming with people that I don't remember being able to see the side chapels of this cathedral which is by the way known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Antipolo.
 

After saying our prayers, we looked at the different chapels within the church as well as the different images of the Blessed Virgin and the saints.

We then went to the back of the cathedral to light candles and then went to the the museum inside the church.

The museum is air conditioned and it houses the different gowns, jewels, tiaras and perfumes used by the image of the Virgin of Antipolo as well as framed pictures depicting the history of the Antipolo Cathedral and that of the Nuestra Senora dela Paz y Buen Vieje.

The image has over 500 piece wardrobe and the church has been declining new dress gifts and instead encourage people to donate to the scholarship program the church has or to other church ministries.

Also, inside the museum you can touch the extended mantle of the Nuestra Senora dela Paz y Buen Vieje from the back of her statue. Some people would kiss her cloak which I did.  We were blessed because usually there's a long queue of people wanting to touch her mantle but during this visit the line wasn't long and we were given enough time to touch and kiss the mantle and say our prayer before the image.

Picture taking is not allowed inside the museum and there's a security guard manning the place.


I feel really happy and blessed to go on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Antipolo to ask for her prayers and protection.

Right after visiting the cathedral we then proceeded to Via Dolorosa, another place of worship and prayer in Antipolo. I'll write a separate post about it.

Before leaving Antipolo City, we bought home suman and cashews which this city is known for as well as kalamay, piaya and sweetened peanuts.

Commuting to Antipolo Cathedral

From Cubao - ride an FX or jeep with the Antipolo Simbahan signboard.  We rode the jeep which cost P30.00.  Upon arriving at the jeepney terminal, you can already view the dome of the Church, it is just a few meters away. 

Night Swimming at Cattleya Resort - Antipolo

Last March 24, 2013, I joined my bf and his family in their annual family outing.  I was not able to go with them last year because I got sick.  Just like last year, the family opted to have a night swimming at Cattleya Resort in Antipolo City.  

Aynee, my bf's niece, is the one who organized this outing.  The night swimming was only finalized the night before the outing.  Good thing that there was still an available pool.  I was only informed of this outing the morning of March 24. :) 

Cattleya Resort in Antipolo City offers 7 private pools and villas for day or night rent.  Their address is at Colaique, Sitio Ibabaw, San Roque, Antipolo City.  The price range for their pool rentals are around P7000 - P12000 for day swimming and P9000 - P14000 for night swimming. 

We rented the Catherine villa which had a large pool with jacuzzi, a children's playground, one aircon bedroom villa with three beds, 2 spacious bathrooms, a grilling station, a kitchen with gas stove and refrigerator, monobloc tables and chairs which can accommodate 50 people and a videoke.  The villa has a big spacious area and the water of the pool is clean and inviting.

The kids had a great time swimming in the pool and the adults sing their hearts out in the videoke machine.  Food was overflowing that night that they were many leftovers to take home:) I had a wonderful time bonding with my bf and his very loving and gracious family.