Visiting Caleruega Church of Nasugbu, Batangas

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Over at Barangay Caylaway (Kaylaway) of Batulao at Nasugbu, Batangas lies the Caleruega church and all its glory. Some people spell its name as Calaruega and is often mistaken as located in Tagaytay, Cavite. Just as how we mistaken the Taal Volcano as part of Tagaytay, but in reality it is part of Batangas.

Regardless of where this church is located, it probably ranks lower than the many splendid architectural masterpieces because of its simplicity. But I believe there is greatness in being simple since too much complexity may become too "noisy" or complicated to the eye.

Many have said that the church is "a peaceful sanctuary to meditate and pray. You don't only commune with God but also with nature Albeit going there is an uphill climb with rough and rugged roads, but once you get there, it's all worth it!"

The church is small, but you will feel the solemnity and serenity of the area. However, it becomes crowded when mass is going on since not too many people can fit inside.

There's a Php 20 environment fee collected on our way to the church and an entrance fee Php 30 at the gate. Parking is small and majority of which are along the road prior to the entrance. You can rent a trike from the highway to go there. The fare is around Php 50 going in, and would become Php 60 when going out.

Visita Iglesia 2016: Pasig Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It was a tiring but blessed day. We do a Visita Iglesia every year and always during Good Friday. This time it was very special since all seven churches we visited had special and significant meanings in our lives that will forever be a part of our "unforgettable" memories.

Yes, there are memories that are slowly fading away that they are almost forgotten, but there are still those that remain strongly immortalized into our minds because they also have an intimate place in our hearts. I believe that when both mind and heart are in unison, everything else follows and become a lifelong rhythm or melody that will forever be reverberating in our ears like soothing or vibrant music.

Our first visit was of course starting with the main church of Pasig, formally known as the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral located at Plaza Rizal of Barangay Malinao. It was not only because we live in Pasig, but this is also the church where I was christened. I was born in Pasig and my parents first lived in this city before we transferred to Pateros where my parents built a house. I was very young when we left Pasig, and I was destined to return and live here with my wife and kids again. This is where my eldest child was christened too, but that happened when we were still living in Pateros where my eldest was also born.

I've included the Pasig church which we already visited from a previous Visita Iglesia way back 2014 so you can just refer to the article we wrote about it. We often visit this church aside from the Santa Clara de Montefalco Parish located at C. Raymundo Avenue Barangay Caniogan and the San Antonio Abad Parish located at Stella Maris Avenue Barangay Maybunga which are nearer our home.

This is Part 1 of 7 since we visited 7 churches from different locations starting with Pasig and ending in Paranaque where we visited the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help of more popularly known as the Baclaran church.

Kung Ikaw Ay Masaya, Tumawa Ka ... Ha Ha Ha!!!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It was a tiring but blessed day. We do this every year during Good Friday, and this time it was very special since all seven churches we visited had special and significant meanings in our lives that will forever be a part of our "unforgettable" memories.

Yes, there are memories that are slowly fading away that they are almost forgotten, but there are still those that remain strongly immortalized into our minds because they also have an intimate place in our hearts. I believe that when both mind and heart are in unison, everything else follows and become a lifelong rhythm or melody that will forever be reverberating in our ears like soothing or vibrant music.

Nakaka-LSS naman talaga. Kapag kasi ikaw ay masaya, lagi kang mapapakanta sa tuwa. Lahat ng pangyayari sa iyomg buhay ay may halaga, may katuturan, may natatanging katangian, na dapat ipagmalaki at ipangalandakan dahil nais mong ibalita rin sa iba ang iyong kasiyahan. Hindi upang ipagyabang, kundi para ipadama na dumarating talaga ang grasya sa mga taong nabubuhay ng marangal at tunay na walang itinatago, walang halong pagkukunwari, walang pakitang-tao lang.

Ngayong Semana Santa, sana ay makilala natin ang mga "pretentious" sa paligid-ligid. Ngunit imbes na sila ay talikuran, ipagtabuyan, pagtawanan, at kamuhian, mas nararapat na sila ay ating yayaing sumama upang magkaroon sila ng pagkakataong magbagong buhay tungo sa wastong landas - hindi sa daang matuwid dahil wala naman talagang ganoon - kundi sa daang lubak-lubak pero sama-sama naman nating tinatahak. Kalokohan ang magyaya sa daang matuwid dahil ang buhay ay kailanman hindi magiging perpekto hanggat mayroong nais mangibabaw sa iba.

Madonna and Her Rebel Heart Performs in Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The CBCP says Madonna’s concert in the Philippines were among the “subtle attacks of the evil one.” Do you agree?

The 57-year-old “Like A Virgin” and “Erotica” hit-maker cavorted on a giant cross-shaped stage during two concerts on Wednesday (February 25), and another one on Thursday (February 26), as part of her global “Rebel Heart” tour.

A few days before, a certain Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles also expressed his disgust towards the International Pop Star. This goes the same with other countries , like Singapore, where the Rebel Heart Tour met similar denouncement behavior among the church people. The Filipino Archbishop echoed his Singaporean counterpart's call to shun Madonna's tour. "There is no neutrality in faith; one is either for or against. Being present (at these events) in itself is a counter witness," says Archbishop William Goh of Singapore.

"It's not even her real name. She is just using (Madonna) to taunt Mother Mary." They are also asking "Why is the Catholic Philippines the favorite venue for blasphemy against God?" Catholic officials in Philippines encourage fans not to show up to Madonna's concert. But how many listened? “Before it was Lady Gaga. Now it is Madonna. Why is Catholic Philippines the favorite venue for blasphemy against God and the Holy Mother?” said Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles.

Some politicians, like senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino also has some negative comments about the Material Girl "You penalize a guy for something he’s already apologized [for], and yet you patronize all of these things in shows, you have a fully-bookedMadonna show forthcoming." from which he is referring to the Manny Pacquiao incident where the "Pacman" expressed an opinion towards same-sex marriage and sexual relationships calling it "masahol pa sa hayop." Meanwhile, other politicians, like JV Ejercito, was seen watching the show.

Pangasinan: First Stop at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines is a Catholic country that piously observes the many Catholic feasts among which is the Feast of the Holy Rosary.There are actually many shrines in the Philippines bearing the title of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and one of them is the one at Manaoag, Pangasinan.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, or the longer name in Spanish of Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario de Manaoag, is the most famous church of Pangasinan. Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag was the title given to Our Blessed Virgin Mary by the natives of Pangasinan who regarded her as the "Lady Who Calls."

"Documents dating back to 1610 claim that a farmer walking home heard a female voice calling him (hence, “Manaoag” from the word taoag—tawag—“to call”). The voice came from an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding a rosary in her right hand while carrying the Infant Jesus on the other. The apparition told the farmer that she wanted her church to be built where she appeared. A chapel was built on the spot of the apparition and the town grew around it."

This favorite pilgrimage site in Pangasinan, has been formally elevated to a minor basilica in solemn rites on February 17, 2015 granted by Pope Francis.

The church is often always among the destinations frequented by both local and foreign tourists if ever they want to visit this part of the country and would often be alongside their primary visit of the Hundred Islands in Alaminos.