Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (Cordova, Cebu)

Posted on 23 April, 2022 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

The Php30 billion Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), also known as the Cebu–Cordova Bridge and the Third Cebu–Mactan Bridge (colloquially known as the Third Bridge locally), is a toll bridge expressway in Metro Cebu which links Cebu City with the municipality of Cordova, Cebu. The artistically designed CCLEX, with its iconic crosses on top of the twin pylons, has now become part of Cebu’s iconic landmarks.

Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (photo: Pete Dacuycuy)

Here are some interesting trivia regarding this bridge:

After the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, it is the third road link between Cebu and Mactan
At 8.9-kms. (5.5 mi.) long, it is the longest and tallest bridge in the Philippines, surpassing the San Juanico Bridge, which crosses Leyte and Samar, and the Candaba Viaduct along the North Luzon Expressway in Luzon.
It the longest cable-stayed bridge in the Philippines surpassing the Marcelo Fernan Bridge which also crosses the Mactan Channel.
It the first toll road project of Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC) outside of Luzon

Cordova mayor Adelino Sitoy first proposed the bridge to connect his municipality with Cebu City in mainland Cebu. After numerous studies were conducted, the local government of Cordova and Cebu City entered into a public-private partnership with Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC). Then chairman of the Regional Development Council of Region VII Michael Rama also lobbied for the construction of the Cebu-Cordova bridge. Rama later became Mayor of Cebu City when the Cebu–Cordova Bridge project was already awarded to a company.

Here is the historical timeline of the bridge:

In January 2016, the Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp.(MPTDC, the toll road arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. which is a publicly listed infrastructure company and a member of the Manny V Pangilinan Group of Companies), through a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, announced that the construction of the bridge that was to commence in 2017. In the same announcement, MPTDC said that they will be responsible for the construction and financing of the bridge and, once it is completed, its operation as well.
On March 2, 2017, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cebu–Cordova Bridge was held.
On April 15, 2021, eight ecumenical “Iconic Crosses,” placed on the two main pylons of the bridge, were lighted during the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines to highlight Cebu’s title of being the Cradle of Christianity in the Far East.
As of September 30, 2021, the bridge is 85.38% complete.
On October 5, 2021, the final concrete pouring in the main bridge deck was held effectively completing the main bridge deck. The entire expressway is expected to be completed in December 2021, with opening slated for the first quarter of 2022.

Designed by the Spanish firms Carlos Fernandez Casado (CFC) and SENER Ingeniería y Sistemas, the local firm DCCD Engineering Corp and the Danish firm COWI did the engineering works. Built by a joint venture between Spanish firm ACCIONA, and Philippine firms First Balfour and DMCI, the bridge was meant to serve as an alternate route serving the Mactan–Cebu International Airport.

The 390-m. long (1,280-ft.) cable-stayed main span of the CCLEX is supported by 145-m. (476-ft.) high twin tower pylons whose design was inspired by the historic Magellan’s Cross Pavilion. The main span of the 27–m. (89 ft.) wide bridge has a 51 m. (167 ft.) navigation clearance for maritime traffic which allows ships to traverse the bridge. Viaduct approach bridges and a causeway, as well as toll road facilities (its design inspired from the eight-rayed sun of the Philippine flag) on an artificial island, also form part of the CCLEX. It has two lanes in each direction, with a design speed of 80 kms. per hour allowing it to serve at least 50,000 vehicles daily.

The planned expressway extension to Lapu-Lapu City will have a direct connection to the Mactan–Cebu International Airport and will add roughly 5 to 8 kms. (3.1 to 5.0 mi.) to the expressway, and is estimated to cost ₱10 billion to ₱15 billion.

To provide safe and seamless travel between Cebu City and Mactan, which hosts the Mactan–Cebu International Airport, Mactan Export Processing Zone, and some of the country’s premier resorts and hotels, the CCLEX will use an all-electronic toll collection system. The toll plaza, with eight toll lanes (our lanes in each direction) will use radio-frequency identification or RFID electronic payment for toll collection.

Cebu Provincial Tourism Office: 3/F, East Wing, Capitol Executive Bldg., Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000. Tel: (032) 888-2328. E-mail: sugbuturismo@gmail.com.

Department of Tourism Regional Office VII: G/F, LDM Bldg., Cor. Legaspi and M.J. Cuenco Sts., 6000 Cebu City. Tel: (032) 412-1966, (032) 412-1967, (032) 254-3534, (032) 254-6650 and (032) 254-2811. Fax: (033) 335-0245. Email: phdot7@tourism.gov.ph. Airport Office Tel: (032) 494-7000 loc. 7548.

Cebu Pacific Air has daily flights from Manila to Cebu’s Mactan International Airport. It also has flights from Clark (Pampanga) and Davao City. Book via www.cebupacificair.com.

Adlawon Vacation Farm (Cebu City, Cebu)

Posted on 23 April, 2022 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

The Lodge at Adlawon Vacation Farm. The lower ground floor houses three guestrooms. Kusina Luche is on the upper floor.

The 15-hectare Adlawon Vacation Farm (AVF), considered a “buhay probinsya” (provincial living) kind of staycation, is a quick but relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy metropolis. Situated in the rural side of Cebu City, it serves as a venue for retreats, birthdays, weddings and team building activities.

Al fresco dining area

The huge farm, owned by Atty. Danilo Ortiz and Dra. Melinda “Peluche” Ortiz, was opened last October 16, 2018. It has a mini mahogany forest, gardens with different varieties of plants, vegetables and flowers; seedling nursery (Plantasia); obstacle course; basketball/multi-purpose court; picnic areas; a mountain bike trail; toilets and bath; wood treatment plant; fishponds; animal pens; a campsite; an aviary; stables; fruit orchard (kamagong, durian and miracle fruit) and the Resurrection Chapel with its own Stations of the Cross.

Cactus Graden

The Lodge, the main structure on the farm, houses the reception area, front desk, 2 function rooms (for team building), a restaurant (Kusina Luche), a library, lounge and entertainment center, a view deck and 3 airconditioned guest rooms with private bath.

Check out “Restaurant Review: Kusina Luche”

A pair of pigs

Animal feeding at the farm

Overnight rate is ₱3,500 per night, good for 2pax with free breakfast for 2 (₱4,000 per night on weekends). For those on a budget, there’s a 6-pax, payag (P3,000 per night, no complimentary breakfast and aircondtioning).

A farm payag (bamboo hut)

For children, there’s a game arcade and a playground where you can play croquet. Cocoon swings hang from the branches of strong and mighty trees. Another popular feature of the farm is its Celebrity Steps.

Cocoon Swing

Celebrity Walk

For souvenirs, Adlawon sells handmade bags and mugs, olive oil, vinegar, cookies and pastillas.

Refreshment Parlor

Their Farmer’s Market sells reasonably-priced vegetables and fruits. The ladies manning the market were friendly and accommodating.

Farmer’s Market

Souvenir items for sale

Adlawon Vacation Farm: Sition Proper, Brgy. Adlaon, , Cebu City. Tel: (032) 516-3948 and (032) 516-3918. Mobile numbers: (0942) 266-7392, (091) 523-1406, (0931) 190-5913 and (0942) 266-7392. E-mail: avf.cebu@gmail.com. Open Wednesdays – Sundays, 9 AM – 8 PM. Admission: ₱150 per head (₱50 is consumable for food & drinks) and ₱100 per child below 12 years old (infants and toddlers below 3 years old are free of charge).

How to Get There: It can be reached via a habal-habal from JY Square.

Cebu Provincial Tourism Office: 3/F, East Wing, Capitol Executive Bldg., Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000. Tel: (032) 888-2328. E-mail: sugbuturismo@gmail.com.

Cebu Pacific Air has daily flights from Manila to Cebu’s Mactan International Airport. It also has flights from Clark (Pampanga) and Davao City. Book via www.cebupacificair.com.

Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Sanctuary (Cebu City, Cebu)

Posted on 23 April, 2022 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Sanctuary

Situated on a hillside in the mountain barangay of Guba, 25 kms. (an hour’s drive away) from downtown Cebu City, the Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Sanctuary is owned by Ms. Edna Ouano Toral who wanted to propagate the devotion of Our Lady of Manaoag in the Visayas.

The sanctuary entrance

Edna, a Cebuana from Mandaue City, once joined a pilgrimage, organized by Chito Makalintal, to Manaoag in Pangasinan for healing as she was seriously ill at the time with complicated ulcers.

The Prayer Room

In 1994, she was healed, a miracle she attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Manaoag. Since then, she has donated 100 icons to churches in the Visayas and Mindanao.

She also built this hilltop sanctuary of quiet, serenity, contemplation and prayer. A quiet place to reflect, it is open to the public and use of all its facilities is also free. Edna simply wants to spread the devotion of Our Lady of Manaoag and to pray the rosary.

Interior of Prayer Room

The road leading to the sanctuary tended to live up to the name of the barangay (“guba,” in Cebuano, means “ruins” or “disrepair”) but, once you reach the sanctuary entrance, you feel the trip was worth it.

Statue of a cherub holding a rosary

Visitors to this sanctuary have to park their vehicles outside and enter on foot, via a concrete bridge over a creek, leading to a footpath lined with cucharita (Althernanthera ficoidea) plants and mani-mani (Arachis pintoi) plants. On the right is a small rose garden while on the left are mango trees.

The museum

Up the hill is the prayer room, a simply roofed structure, ventilated at its sides by thin strands of wood woven into sunburst patterns (solihiya), with the image of Our Lady at the end. Inside are benches for devotees and two statues of cherubs holding rosaries.

The museum display

Further up the hill is another small structure housing a museum and an outdoor chapel with a statue of Our Lady, a candle stand, a concrete altar and a number of concrete benches lining the hillside.

The outdoor chapel

Down the hill is a river where wild flowers such as camia (white ginger) abound in season.

Concrete benches lining the hillside

During the last Holy Week, the sanctuary was included in the Highland Pilgrimage Tour launched by the Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC).

Our Lady of the Rosary Manaoag Rosary Sanctuary: Cataline Hill, Brgy. Cabulihan Guba, Cebu City 6000.

Cebu Provincial Tourism Office: 3/F, East Wing, Capitol Executive Bldg., Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000. Tel: (032) 888-2328. E-mail: sugbuturismo@gmail.com.

Cebu Pacific Air has daily flights from Manila to Cebu’s Mactan International Airport. It also has flights from Clark (Pampanga) and Davao City. Book via www.cebupacificair.com.

Buwakan ni Alejandra (Balamban, Cebu)

Posted on 23 April, 2022 by Benjie Layug — 1 Comment ↓

Buwakan ni Alejandra

Buwakan ni Alejandra (buwak is Bisaya for “flower”), Cebu’s newest pride and a must-see for flower lovers, is known as the “Little Tagaytay of Cebu.” Located in a mountainous barangay in Balamban town, it features a vibrant, 740 sq. m. flower garden on a mountainside which had its soft opening last May 8, 2017.

This breathtaking and charmingly peaceful attraction, BNA for short, is located along the scenic Transcentral Highway. It was named after Alejandra Bacos, the mother-in-law of barangay councilman Eleuterio Gentapa who is the flower gardens’ landscaper. He is also the chairperson of the Committee on Tourism of Brgy. Gaas.

Gorgeous and Instagram-worthy, its stunning landscape is home to more than 200 varieties of colorful, locally grown flowers. Unlike the celosia flower farms in Sirao, this botanical garden takes pride in colorful varieties of dahlia.

Check out “Sirao Garden”

Other flowers planted include roses, hibiscus (gumamela), sage, hygrangeas, morning glory, wax begonias, angel’s trumpets, bougainvillas, etc.

Spider Flower (Cleome Hassleriana), native to southern South America in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southeast Brazil, it has also been introduced to South Asia, including the Haor area of Bangladesh and India. It is an annual growing to a height of 150 cm. (60 in.), with spirally arranged leaves. The leaves are palmately compound, with five or seven leaflets, the leaflets up to 12 cm. (5 in.) long and 4 cm. (2 in.) broad and the leaf petiole up to 15 cm. (6 in.) long.

Planted at the center are dozens of pink-colored flowers called Spider Flower (Cleome Hassleriana) which look like birthday cake candles.

The author amidst a bed of Spider Flowers (Cleome Hassleriana)

Also intriguing is nipplefruit, fox head, cow’s udder, or apple of Sodom (Solanum mammosum), a peculiar-looking plant locally known as “Mickey Mouse” plant. Adding to the charm are different shapes of floral arches.

Solanum mammosum, commonly known as nipplefruit, fox head, cow’s udder, or apple of Sodom, is an inedible Pan-American tropical fruit that is grown for ornamental purposes, in part because of the distal end of the fruit’s resemblance to a human breast, while the proximal end looks like a cow’s udder.

These could be admired from a steel boardwalk with rainbow-colored footpaths with a picturesque mountain in the background. On average, the garden gets more tan 70 visitors on weekdays and hundreds on weekends.

The author along the rainbow-colored pathway

The garden also has a restaurant which reopened February 1, 2022 after being damaged during Typhoon Odette. Their bestsellers include soy fried chicken, quarter leg chicken barbecue, special bam-i, baraku shrimp, pork gising-gising and chicken picata.

Alejandra’s restaurant

This scenic location is perfect for pre-nuptial and pre-debut photo shoots. Upon entering the garden, visitors must first attend an orientation.

The steel boardwalk

Smoking is not allowed in the premises and visitors should only walk along a designated trail. They are also not allowed to pick flowers (they are also not for sale) and step in areas where flowers are planted.

Floral arches

Buwakan ni Alejandra: Transcentral Highway, Sitio Bunga, Brgy. Gaas, 6041 Balamban. Mobile number: (0947) 358-9142, (0921) 812-9664 and (0908) 768-9379. E-mail: bna.gaas@gmail.com. Open daily, 7 AM – 5:30 PM. Admission: Php 75 (Adult), Php 50 (Child, 6-10 years old, and Senior Citizen/PWD).

How to Get There: Located a few meters away from Adventure Café and Florentino’s Eco-Park, it is a 30-45 min drive from JY square or Marco Polo via the scenic Transcentral highway. From the Ayala Center Terminal, take a V-hire going to Balamban via Transcentral highway route. Fare is P120 per person (one-way). Inform the driver to drop you off at Buwakan ni Alejandra. Another option is to take a habal-habal from JY Square Mall.

Cebu Provincial Tourism Office: 3/F, East Wing, Capitol Executive Bldg., Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000. Tel: (032) 888-2328. E-mail: sugbuturismo@gmail.com.

Cebu Pacific Air has daily flights from Manila to Cebu’s Mactan International Airport. It also has flights from Clark (Pampanga) and Davao City. Book via www.cebupacificair.com.

National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Regla (Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu)

Posted on 22 April, 2022 by Benjie Layug — 2 Comments ↓

National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Regla

Aside from the famed Santo Niño de Cebu, Cebuanos are also devoted to another image – the felicitous and miraculous image of Nuestra Señora De la Regla (Our Lady of the Rule). The image, carved from the trunk of dark Philippine hardwood, is patterned after the original located in Chipiona, Spain. The image is currently venerated at her own altar at the National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Regla.

St. Augustine, the bishop of Hippo, started the devotion to Our Lady of the Rule in Northern Africa. Using his own hands, he has carved an image of Our Lady which was one of the relics that has survived the destruction of the city of Hippo. Upon St. Augustine’s death, the monks took the image with them when they fled to Spain.

In Spain, the image survived the destruction and pillage of the Moors. Miracles were attributed to it and, because of this, the devotion to Our Lady rapidly spread. In 1330, the Virgin appeared to an Augustinian monk and instructed him to go to the city of Cadiz. Here, he was to look for a cave where the image had been hidden away. He dug it up and found a hidden underground altar.

Statue of Nuestra Señora de la Regla (Our Lady of the Rule)

The richly vested (given by the devotees as a sign of gratitude to the answered prayers through her intercession) Brown Madonna holds the Infant Jesus in front of her, as if presenting the child to the people and telling them to worship his Son, the God became Man. For several centuries, the Virgen de la Regla was venerated under several names: Virgen Libica, Virgen del Sagrario, Estrella de los Mares and La Virgen Morena, or Morenita.

In the 18th century, when the Augustinian Order was given control over the parish of Opon (now Lapu-Lapu City), the devotion was transported to the Philippines. In 1735, the people first saw a picture of the Virgen de la Regla when the first parish priest, Francisco Avalle, an Augustinian monk, showed it to them. Fr. Avalle, having lived for 10 years in the Monastery of Nuestra Señora de la Regla in Chipiona, Andalucia, Spain, was a devotee.

The church interior

Upon hearing the story of the Virgin of Chipiona, the Oponganons chose Our Lady of the Rule as their patroness. A big picture, encased in a wooden frame, was made and placed on the altar. Miracles began to happen and the devotion flourished. Later a hardwood statue replaced the picture for veneration. Between 1735 and 1744, a Baroque-style church, made with Mactan coral stone and measuring 60 m. long, 23 m. wide and 14 m. high, was built.

Old Opon church

During World War II, the church was slightly damaged but, in 1960, it was torn down during the term of Dutch Fr. Cornelio Van De Loo, of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, who was assigned as parish priest, bypassing 200 years of history, and replaced with a new concrete church. The priests also sold off the church’s coral blocks and, later, its altar to the University of San Carlos Museum. Thankfully, the spacious and solid convent, built in 1855 by Fr. Simon Aguirre, is still intact.

The old convent

On Nov. 27, 1954, as a highlight to the Archdiocesan Marian Congress that year, Archbishop (later Cardinal) Julio Rosales crowned the Virgin, the first image from the Visayas to receive such a recognition.

National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Regla: B.M. Dimataga St., Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City 6015. Tel: (032) 340-8081. Feast day: November 21.

Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office: City Hall Compound, Lapu-Lapu City Hall Access Rd.,-Lapu City 6015. Tel: (032) 341-1644. E-mail: lapulaputourismoffice@gmail.com.

Cebu Provincial Tourism Office: 3/F, East Wing, Capitol Executive Bldg., Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000. Tel: (032) 888-2328. E-mail: sugbuturismo@gmail.com.

Cebu Pacific Air has daily flights from Manila to Cebu’s Mactan International Airport. It also has flights from Clark (Pampanga) and Davao City. Book via www.cebupacificair.com.

Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anne (Taguig City, Metro Manila)

Posted on 16 April, 2022 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anne

The Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anne, also known as St. Anne Parish Church or Santa Ana Church, is situated next to the Taguig River and across Plaza Quezon, where the statue of the late Manuel L. Quezon was erected when he was still serving as President of the Philippines. Saint Anne is the patroness of the church.

The church complex. On the left is the convent

This church, as well as the convent, was first built, in 1848, of nipa and bamboo by Fr. Diego Alvarez, O.S.A.. The construction of the present concrete church, from 1609 to 1611, was supervised by Fr. Hernando Guerrero, O.S.A..

The rightside of the church. On the foreground are statues of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Pedro Calungsod

During the November 30, 1645 Luzon earthquake, both were considerably damaged and later repaired. Both survived the June 3, 1863 earthquake but the June 20, 1880 earthquake cracked the bell tower sending its bell crashing on the church roof, destroying the choir loft and part of its framework.

Bas-relief of St. Anne

In 1881, the reconstruction of both buildings was started by Fr. Patricio Martin, O.S.A. and, in 1885, continued by his successor Fr. Guillermo Diaz, O.S.A.. In 1898, the buildings were occupied by American soldiers and used as their headquarters. Both were restored by Filipino secular Frs. Vicente Estacio (1905 to 1916, he oversaw the installation of the church’s sawali ceiling) and Gerardo Maximo (1938 to 1951). The fence was left unfinished.

The four-storey bell tower

In August 1943, during the Second World War, hundreds of male inhabitants were incarcerated by the Imperial Japanese, for a number of days, inside the church. In 1987, in preparation for the parish’s 400th anniversary, more improvements in the edifice were undertaken by Msgr. Augurio Juta and Msgr. Emmanuel Sunga.

Historical plaque installed by the National Historical Institute (now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines) in 1987

On July 25, 1987, a historical marker was installed on the church facade by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. The church was also declared and recognized by the government as a cultural property based on the official list provided by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the National Museum of the Philippines.

The church interior

AUTHOR’S NOTES:

The church’s barn-style Baroque facade has flat pilasters, a first level with a centrally located arched main entrance flanked by statued niches; a second level with a centrally located rose window flanked by semicircular arched windows and a triangular pediment with a centrally located statued niche.

The four-storey bell tower, on the church’s right, has a two-storey square base (with a bas-relief of St. Anne), an octagonal third storey (with semicircular arched windows) and a round upper storey topped by a dome.

The choir loft area

The church houses the Museo de Sta. Ana which contains religious relics and a repository of artifacts detailing the rich religious culture and history of Taguig since 1857.

The main altar area

Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anne: 1 Liwayway St., Brgy. Sta. Ana, Taguig City 1637, Metro Manila. Tel: (632) 8642-4434. Fax: (632) 8643-5204.

Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Light (Cainta, Rizal)

Posted on 14 April, 2022 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Light

The only church in our bisita iglesia outside of Metro Manila was the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Light in Cainta. When we entered the churchyard from the main road, we only saw the side entrance near the altar. To see the beautiful façade, we had to first enter the church then go out the front door.

This town’s original church (at the time was under the patronage of Saint Andrew the Apostle), designed by Fr. Juan de Salazar, S.J., was first constructed in stone by Jesuit Fr. Gaspar Marco in 1707 and completed in 1716, during the time of Joaquin Sanchez, S.J, while he was still the parish priest.

Check out “Church of San Felipe Neri” and “Immaculate Concepton Cathedral“

In 1727, a painting of Our Lady of Light was brought in from the Kingdom of Sicily and was chosen as the new patroness of the church and, by 1760, the church was officially declared a separate parish.

Porte cochere

On February 23, 1853, the church building was damaged by an earthquake, both its roof and one wall collapsed while the walls of the parish rectory or convent sustained cracks. By 1884 the parish had been named Our Lady of Light (Virgen ng Caliuanagan or Madre Santissima del Lumen in Tagalog and Spanish languages), as attested in the August 5, 1884 letter by Don Mariano de San Juan (the pastor of Cainta) to Fray Pedro Payo, O.P., the Archbishop of Manila.

The four-storey bell tower

In March 1899, during the Filipino-American War, the church and parish rectory, including the venerated Marian image within, were burned down. The stones from the church walls were later used to build roads. The monogram of the Holy Name of Jesus “IHS” (Latin: Iesus Hominum Salvator), attached at the top portion of the church’s façade, was the only mark left of its Jesuit beginning.

NHI historical plaque

For 67 years, the church was left in ruins, without any significant restoration. On June 10, 1966, after Archbishop of Manila Rufino Cardinal Santos gave permission for the church’s reconstruction on February 15, 1965, the reconstruction of the church began. The facade was kept untouched. When one of the beams collapsed, the reconstruction was halted and further study was conducted to determine if it could withstand earthquakes.

The church interior

On June 15, 1967, reconstruction resumed and it was completed and blessed by Rufino Cardinal Santos on February 25, 1968. In 1975, the administration of the parish was turned over, by the CICM Missionaries, to the Archdiocese of Manila, with Monsignor Alfredo Santa Ana, HP, as its first diocesan parish priest. Until 1998, the church was the sole parish in the entire municipality of Cainta.

The main altar and retablo

In 2007, the church was declared as a historical site by the National Historical Institute (NHI), now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), for its significant role during the Philippines-American War.

Te choir loft

On December 1, 2007, the newly renovated altar and the new historical marker of the church were blessed. On December 1, 2012, an episcopal coronation, coinciding with the parish fiesta, was performed by the local bishop with the assistance of Ms. Henrietta De Villa, former ambassador to the Vatican.

After the burning (during the Filipino-American war in 1899) of the original enshrined icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary (a painting of Our Lady of Light brought to Cainta in 1727 from Ferrara, Italy by Fr. Bartolommeo Cavanti, SJ.), the venerated Marian image was recreated by Philippine National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.

On December 6, 2017, the image was granted the papal bull of canonical coronation by Pope Francis and it was crowned on December 1, 2018, the first Marian image in Philippine history to be pontifically crowned as an artistic painting. On the same day as its canonical coronation, the parish church was consecrated and elevated into a Diocesan Shrine.

Statue of Our Lady of Light

The original church, including the sacristy and rectory, measured approximately 44 m. (144 ft. long), 15 m. (48 ft.) wide and 11 m. (36 ft.) high. Made of stone and limestone (calycanto), its roof was tiled and had a dome (media naranja), transepts (crucero) and five buttresses (contrafuertos).

Old church bells

The nave’s spacious presbytery had windows and skylight (claraboya) while the belfry had four bells, two of which were small bells rung by rotation (esquitas). The baptistery, with an arched ceiling, was situated at the bottom of the belfry. Flooring was made of wood. It also had a choir loft, communion rail, pulpit and three doors. Five retablos are found inside the church, with the original picture of the Our Lady of Light enshrined at the central niche.

Parola ng Panampalataya

The sacristy measured approximately 8.2 m. (27 ft.) long, 7.3 m. (24 ft.) wide and 5.5 m. (18 ft.) high. The parish rectory, with a kitchen, two brick chimneys, four rooms and offices, measured approximately 37 m. (120 ft.) long, 15 m. (48 ft.) wide and 7.3 m. (24 ft.) high.

Statue of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

The larger reconstructed church measures 68 m. (223 ft.) long, with a transept 42 m. (138 ft.) wide, and with walls 10.5 m. (34.4 ft.) high. It has a semicircular arch main entrance and four lateral doors. There are separate chapels for the Blessed Sacrament and for Our Lady of Light and Saint Andrew, both enshrined at the sides of the sanctuary.

Statue of Resurrected Christ

It’s simple, two-level Early Renaissance façade, with superpositioned paired columns, has semicircular arch statued niches, a square window at the choir loft and a circular window at the tympanum of the triangular pediment. The attached four-storey bell tower, on the church’s right, has semicircular arched windows.

Statue of the Crucifixion

Church of Our Lady of Light: Andres Bonifacio Ave. (near Cainta Junction), Brgy. San Andres, Cainta 1900, Rizal. View Map>>> Tel: (02) 8655-0840. Feast of Our Lady of Light: December 1.

How to Get There: Cainta is located 29.1 kms. from Manila and kms. (a drive) from Antipolo City.

Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Light (Cainta, Rizal)

Posted on 14 April, 2022 by Benjie Layug — 1 Comment ↓

Church of Our Lady of the Light

NHI plaque

Church transept

The four-storey bell tower

Parola ng Panampalataya

Statue of Our Lady of Light

Statue of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

Old church bells

Bell inscribed with “Ano D 1835 – N.TRA SENORA D LALVZ” (Year 1835 – Nuestra Senora de la Luz”)

Old bell inscribed with “S. ANDRES APOSTOL – SIENDO CURA EL PRESVITERO D. AGUSTIN MENDOSA – SE PVNDIO ESTA ESQVILA MAYO 15 D 1847” (“St. Andrew the Apostle – When Don Agustin Mendosa was parish priest – who built this small bell on May 15, 1847”

Statue of Resurrected Christ

Flooring was made of wood. It also had a choir loft, communion rail, pulpit and three doors. Five retablos are found inside the church, with the original picture of the Our Lady of Light enshrined at the central niche.

Statue of the Crucifixion

Church interior

There are separate chapels for the Blessed Sacrament and for Our Lady of Light and Saint Andrew, both enshrined at the sides of the sanctuary.

Main altar

When we entered the churchyard from the main road, we only saw the side entrance near the altar. To see the beautiful façade, we had to first enter the church then go out the front door.

Side altar

Choir loft

Church of Our Lady of Light: Andres Bonifacio Ave. (near Cainta Junction), Brgy. San Andres, Cainta 1900, Rizal. View Map>>> Tel: (02) 8655-0840. Feast of Our Lady of Light: December 1.

How to Get There: Cainta is located 29.1 kms. from Manila and kms. (a drive) from Antipolo City.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Pasig City, Metro Manila)

Posted on 14 April, 2022 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

The mother church and the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Pasig, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, also called the Pasig Cathedral, is one of the oldest structures in the city. This church was first built by Augustinian missionaries in 1575. Initially consecrated to the Visitation of Our Lady (consecrated on July 2, 1573), on April 25, 1587, the parish was changed to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of the Augustinian priests during that time.

The Neo-Classical and Colonial Baroque facade

The present structure, started before 1639, was said to have been finished during the brief British occupation of Manila from 1722 to 1747 (when it was converted into horses’ stables and served as the British military headquarters) and its belfry used as a watchtower against the Spanish defenders. In 1764, it underwent repairs.

Historical Plaque

The stone convent was built by Fr. Felix Trillo. In 1879, the church was restored by Fr. Simon Barroso who also replaced the roof with galvanized iron. From 1910 to 1979, the parish was administered by the CICM Fathers, after which the Filipino clergy took over the pastoral leadership of the parish.

The four-storey bell tower

In 2000, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral was declared one of the Jubilee churches in the Archdiocese of Manila (the parish was a part of this archdiocese until August 21, 2003 when the district was elevated as a separate and independent diocese on October 2001, with the elevation of the parish into the status of a cathedral).

Porta Sancta

On December 7, 2008, the Solemn Canonical Coronation of its patron as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Pasig was led by Edward Joseph Adams (the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines), the Bishop of Pasig, and the entire faithful in the diocese.

The cathedral interior

In February 2021, as part of the Celebration of the 500th year anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines, the cathedral was named as a Jubilee Church in the Diocese of Pasig along with the Diocesan Shrine of St. Martha and Parish of St. Roch in Pateros and the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anne in Taguig City.

The choir loft

The main altar and retablo

On March 25, 2022, after a 7 year-long restoration and renovation of the cathedral (including the addition of ceiling paintings), the cathedral was inaugurated and blest by Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara.

Ceiling painting

Its plain Neo-Classical and Colonial Baroque façade has triglyphs that separate the first level from the second and third level; semicircular arched doors and windows, and small rose windows and the Augustinian symbol of the stylized heart on the second level.

Left side altar

Right side altar

Its triangular pediment, with its centrally located statued niche and supported by slender Doric columns, is topped by a Renaissance-influenced min-balustrade lacing the raking cornice. The massive five-level bell tower is located on the church’s left.

Old church bells

Candle gallery

Immaculate Conception Cathedral: Justice Hubson St., Plaza Rizal, Brgy. Malinao, Pasig City 1600, Metro Manila. Tel: (632) 8641-1784 and (632) 8864-6197. Fax: (632) 641-3460. E-mail: iccpasigdop@gmail.com.

Church of San Felipe Neri (Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila)

Posted on 14 April, 2022 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

Church of San Felipe Neri

In 1870, seven years after San Felipe de Neri (now Mandaluyong) was separated from Sta. Ana de Sapa, Fr. Gavino Ruiz, incumbent parish priest was authorized to purchase the 1-hectare church site and, on March 25, 1870, the cornerstone of the church was blessed.

The church’s Neo-Gothic facade

In 1883, Rev. Fr. Gregono Azarga, OFM, who took over the parish, obtained a permit to spend 39,100 pesos for the construction of the church. A manuscript, dated June 22, 1894, handwritten by Captain Municipal Pascual Francisco, already reported the existence of this church and its convent.

Buttresses at the right side of the church

Fr. (later bishop) Manuel C. Sobrevinas (parish priest from 1975 – 1979), Fr. (later bishop) Gabriel V. Reyes (parish priest from 1979 – 1981) and Fr. (later bishop) Francisco C. San Diego (parish priest from 1981 – 1983) made repairs at the church.

Centennial anniversary plaque

150th anniversary plaque

Msgr. Salvador Jose (parish priest from 1983 – 2000) constructed the new convent at the right side of the church and the auxiliary chapels on the left.

The church’s interior

AUTHOR’s NOTES:

The church’s single level, Neo-Gothic façade has a semicircular arch main entrance flanked by statued niches and twin bell towers with pyramidal roofs. Its triangular pediment has a centrally located statued niche.

Choir loft

Church of San Felipe Neri: cor. of Boni Ave. and Rt. Rev. C. Aglipay St., Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila. Tel: (632) 8531-2931 and 8531- 4827.

How to Get There: Mandaluyong City is located 7 kms. from Manila and 8 kms. from Pasig City.

This travel blog, a diary of the author’s local and international travels, aims to provide the reader with news and information on people, places and events that would interest the avid traveler and tourist. But, it also aims to be much more, providing insights on the wonders of this beautiful country, as well as the world, beyond the strict confines of the city. Have a BLAST seeing old churches, exotic temples, educational museums as well as palm-fringed islands; white sand beaches; thundering waterfalls; placid lakes; fiery sunsets; turquoise seas; cathedral-like caves; swirling rivers; majestic mountains; stupendous, amphitheater-like rice terraces; awesome volcanoes and the like. Get to know the movers and shakers in the tourism industry; find out where to titillate the palate; rejuvenate your body; feed your adrenalin, unwind and relax; satisfy your craving for history and culture; and find out what's being celebrated and where.

BENJAMIN “BENJIE” LAYUG, an architect by profession (he finished his B. S. Architecture degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1982), is an avid reader, traveler and free-lance travel writer in his spare time, contributing articles to Travel Update, Philippine Daily Inquirer, COLORS, TODAY, 7107 Islands Magazine, Business Day, Bluprint and the Business Mirror.

He is also the author of the following travel books:

A Philippine Odyssey (New Day Publishers, 2005)
Pathfinder’s Travel Guide: Boracay (Great Books Trading, 2006)
A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Churches (New Day Publishers, 2007)
A Tourist to Notable Philippine Historical Landmarks, Monuments and Shrines (New Day Publishers, 2010)
A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Museums (New Day Publishers, 2012)

Some of his books now appear in the local library shelves of the National Library of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas, U.P. Diliman, Centro Escolar University, San Sebastian College, Miriam College, Silliman University, to name a few, as well as internationally at the National Library of Australia and the University of California Berkeley Library.

Now a senior citizen, he is probably one of the oldest, if not the oldest, active travel blogger in the country today. He also has a lifestyle blog called F.Y.I.:Firing Your Imagination (www.firingyourimagination.blogspot.com). Benjie has traveled to two-thirds (53) of the country’s 81 provinces and over 20 countries in 4 continents.