Tayo na sa Antipolo Cathedral at Meralco Management & Leadership Development Center!

“Tayo na sa Antipolo!”

“Tayo na sa Antipolo!” (Let’s go to Antipolo!), as one traditional song proclaimed.

So we did, designated Secretariat staff to the Center for Asian Integrity’s (CAI) Technical Working Group (TWG) last April 21 and 22, both organizers and participants to a planning writeshop, who trekked to this popular land of suman (rice cake), mangoes and kasoy (cashew nuts)!

A first class (in terms of income) city in the province of Rizal, Antipolo is located around 25 kilometers east of Metropolitan Manila. In terms of population, this city is considered the most populous in the Calabarzon (Southern Tagalog) area and ranked 7^th most populous in the whole country based on a population census in 2007.

Named after the Tipolo (Artocarpus incisa) or breadfruit tree which was once in abundance in the area, the city rests on the slopes of the Sierra Madre mountain range, its elevated plateau provides a breathtaking view of Metro Manila especially during the evening and the break of dawn. Of course, that’s if the usual thick smog doesn’t ruin it.

The city prides itself as the “Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines” and for good reason. Since the time of the Spanish colonials, many Filipino Catholics have journeyed to this area, devotees to the Marian image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage or simply known as the Virgin of Antipolo.

Paying homage to God and His favored handmaid, our first stop in the city was the Antipolo Cathedral.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage otherwise known as the Antipolo (Church) Cathedral

The Franciscans were said to be the first missionaries in Antipolo when they arrived there in 1578. They were replaced by the Jesuits in 1591 who organized the small village into a parish. But it was during the administration of the Augustinian Recolletos (which started in 1864) that the Virgin of Antipolo gained a following of devotees. Pilgrims from Manila and nearby towns and provinces journeyed on foot or on hammocks along the mountain trails and springs.

In 1954, the church of Antipolo was declared as a National Shrine of the Philippines dedicated to the “Nuestra Seňora dela Paz y Buen Viaje”. The statue was brought from Acapulco, Mexico to Manila in 1626 by Governor Juan Niňo de Tavora and at his death was turned over to the Jesuits for the Church of Antipolo in 1632. Proclaimed “Patroness of the Galleons”, the image again crossed the the Pacific several times during the 1600s and once in 1746.

The vibrant golden altar

On May 6, 1947, the procession of the Virgin of Antipolo was first held starting at the hills of Pinagmisahan. The following year, a National Committee was formed to undertake a massive fund-raising campaign to establish the Cathedral of Antipolo.

As one of the most popular Marian shrines in the country, various customs rose out from the pilgrimages to Antipolo. One popular tradition is the journey to its site on the eve of Good Friday or May 1 from several locations in Rizal Province or Metro Manila. One of the most famous starting points was the Quiapo Church in the City of Manila.

Another popular custom was to have new cars blessed at the Cathedral in the belief that this shall make sure the safety of the vehicle and its passengers. After all, she wasn’t declared the Lady of Peace and Good Voyage for nothing.

Statues of the saints which included one of my favorites:

St. Martin de Porres (1^st from left)

The Diocese of Antipolo celebrated its Silver Jubilee foundation last year with the theme “25 Taon ng Mabuting Paglalakbay: Pasasalamat, Pagdiriwang at Panibagong Pagsasabuhay!” (25 Years of a Good Journey: Thanksgiving, Celebration and Renewed Living!).

A growing community of 58 parishes, the Diocese is the fifth largest local church in terms of its Catholic population out of the 86 ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the country today, after the Archdioceses of Cebu, San Fernando (Pampanga), Manila, and the Diocese of Malolos (Bulacan).

As devout members of Antipolo may affirm, let me proclaim the diocesan motto: “Ad Jesum Per Mariam!”

Pasalubong Center beside the Antipolo Church

For pilgrims who want to bring some local treats to their loved ones, check out the so-called “Pasalubong Center” just beside the Cathedral. I’m sure there is some delicacy out there much to your liking!

Venue of our workshop: The MMLDC Academic Hall

Not far from the town proper we arrived at our planning activity venue: the Meralco Management & Leadership Development Center (MMLDC) at Km. 27 along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City.

The CAI TWG’s two-day planning writeshop had very specific objectives. One, review and finalize the results of the CAI strategic planning workshop held last month in Tagaytay City. Two, formulate a business plan for CAI. Lastly, the group is expected to draft governing rules, principles and policy guidelines for the Center.

Our group needed a venue which had a conducive learning environment for the purpose and relatively close to the metropolis. The MMLDC nestled at a scenic nine hectare hilltop forested oasis seemed to fit the bill.

A mere 30 minute ride from the Ortigas business district, the MMLDC appeared to me as a surprising nature haven despite its proximity to Metro Manila.

Our activity room was one of several classrooms varying in seating capacity and design found inside the Center’s Academic Hall. Aside from the classrooms, the Academic Hall also houses a conference room with video conferencing facilities, case rooms, a business center, a museum and an “educational suite” which supports production of multi-media packages.

Settling down to work

Sumptuous lunch at the Mess Hall

Internet access is available for venue guests/workshop participants

Hallway to our respective rooms (with CIPD Director Nida Gruta and PACPO
Asst. Ombudsman Evelyn Baliton

The Center’s Residence Hall provided comfortable accommodation and rest to us overnight guests. Located at the highest point of the site, the Residence Hall is to date the biggest building inside the Center, capable of accommodating 156 participants and 24 faculty members all at the same time. It has a chapel, a spacious lounge, a clinic and gym with spa.

Trying out the “Inihaw (Grilled) na Tuna Belly” beside the “Chicken Afritada”

With so many tasty food choices, dinner was equally sumptuous as our lunch

Images from the country’s historic past are displayed at the hallways of the Residence Hall (Manila was declared an ‘open city’ when the Japanese Imperial Army first attacked the country during the Second World War)

Interspersed inside the Residence Hall where pictures of Meralco’s history as well

San Sebastian Church during a bygone era

Avenue leading to the old building of the Philippine Congress

(now the National Museum) at the background

The MMLDC Residence Hall

Every building in the Center carries an evident minimalist architecture and character which complements with the environmentalist advocacy and technological dynamism of its institution.

Sprawling garden

The chapel

Morning walk inside the MMLDC grounds

Starting the day with a power packed breakfast meal

Of course, one cannot write about MML Development Center without mention of the delectable and healthy cuisine it offers to its clients. Definitely a highlight of one’s stay at the Center, I can still vividly remember the gastronomic components of my power breakfast that second day at the Center.

It consisted of:

Longganisa Hamonado

Chicken Tocino

Salisbury Steak

Fritata con Espaňol

Garlic Rice

Fresh Fruits (Papaya)

Orange Juice

“At MMLDC everyday is Earth Day”:

Promoting corporate social and environmental responsibility

Unintentionally, our second and last day at the Center coincided with this year’s Earth Day. This strong advocacy for environmental responsibility was quite apparent throughout the complex.

Meralco has a mini museum inside the Academic Hall

The Center’s swimming pool is partially hidden by the vegetation

All in all, I had a fine experience at the Center. Its relaxing natural atmosphere and sumptuous food offerings were more than enough to overcome the working stress of the planning activity that transpired.

Antipolo with its natural beauty and spiritual haven would surely reinvigorate any weary soul that seeks refuge from the hustle and bustle of the urban world.

Thank you Mama Mary for our good voyage in Antipolo City!

Visita Iglesia 2009

Our Lenten journey started here:

The Church of the Holy Sacrifice inside the UP Diliman campus

Despite the blistering heat of summer, I always found peace and solace going around churches and praying to God during Holy Week. In addition, one gets an exceptional time to appreciate the various places and structures that you visit along the way. More satisfying is when my whole family comes along for that short but special spiritual journey.

This year, even without a family vehicle, we were able to do just that.

We decided to go on a Visita Iglesia, last April 9, this liturgical year’s Maundy Thursday when we commemorate how Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist during the famous Last Supper and washed the feet of His disciples to denote the service and love Christians had to give to one another.

Many Filipinos often prayed the Way of the Cross during Holy Thursday and so many churches are expectedly filled with similar pilgrims. Incidentally, April 9 also marks the National Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) in memory of those heroic soldiers who died defending the country during the Second World War.

The family that prays together, journeys together

Our spiritual trek began at the Church of the Holy Sacrifice inside the University of the Philippines’ Diliman campus. Built in the 1950’s, the church is an example of contemporary architecture of its era as the first circular chapel and first thin-shell dome in the country. Declared a national treasure by the National Historical Institute (NHI), its architecture was designed by Leandro V. Locsin while national artists like Vicente S. Manansala (with the assistance of Ang Kiukok) painted its famous Stations of the Cross murals and Napoleon V. Abueva sculpting the altar and massive crucifix.

A variety of colorful fresh fruits and other foodstuff adorn one UP sidewalk

Hearing Mass or simply visiting the Church of the Holy Sacrifice is such a wonderful family experience. On many occasions, we would come here to UP on weekends, visit the church, have lunch at the UP Coop, have a stroll and let the kids play at the university’s football field. I also have many fond memories about this campus since my grad school days during the late 1980’s. At the end of almost every one of those fond memories is a good serving of UP street food! My personal favorite - what else but good old fish balls washed down by good old Coke Light or ice cold buko juice (hopefully without the formalin!).

Historic Franciscan landmark: The San Pedro Bautista Parish Church

The parish church of my early youth, our next stop is the San Pedro Bautista Parish Church. About 420 years ago, the site was donated to the Franciscans (OFM - Order of Friars Minor) by colonial governor general Santiago de Vera in the name of the Spanish King Philip II. From a humble structure made of thatch and bamboo, it originally opened as a house of retreat and novitiate. Later a chapel was built and rebuilt several times. In 1699, a church made of stone was constructed and the convent was restructured. Under the title Nuestra Seňora De Montecelli (Our Lady of Montecelli), though it was more popularly known from its very beginnings as San Francisco del Monte.

I was baptized in this church our family being parishioners in this area. I often heard Mass in San Pedro Bautista, active in a local Legion of Mary Praesidium and the Block Rosary movement. Eric, one of my brothers served as an altar boy in this parish. On several occasions, we would have group activities at the nearby parish social hall. The parish priest was a Spaniard then, Fr. Diez who spoke Tagalog quite well as I remember from his homilies. Nowadays, most parish pastors are native-born priests.

Beside the statue of the parish patron and martyr San Pedro Bautista

Junior stands inside the Franciscan church







A closer view of the Baroque altar






This cave-like structure is said to be the prayer room of San Pedro Bautista

There are subterranean tunnels underneath the church. A church worker we talked to that day showed us one such one tunnel that went several floors down. According to him, this passageway was used by the revolutionary Katipuneros. This was likely true considering the Franciscan friars in 1895 abandoned the place and was later occupied by the Katipunan. In 1898, American soldiers occupied the church then remained idle until it was repaired in 1912. In 1914, it was blessed and a town fiesta was held in honor of San Pedro Bautista. By November of 1932, it was declared a parish named in honor of its saintly founder.

The map traces the route of San Pedro and his companion missionaries during their fateful journey across Japan which ended in their martyrdom at Nagasaki on February of 1597






Family picture at the church’s garden courtyard







The kids walk through the church’s rebuilt hallways







Another garden area is used for prayerful meditation






The frames narrate the story of the parish and of its saintly patron










The Franciscans’ Museum nearby









Next stop: Sto. Domingo Church along Quezon Avenue

After an austere coupon-using fast food meal at Jollibee- Del Monte Avenue, we proceeded to another church of my youth, Sto. Domingo Church along Quezon Ave.

In the past, Santo Domingo Church would often be in our Holy Week itinerary either as part of the church visits or to hear the Siete Palabras (Reflections on Christ’s Seven Last Words).

Home to the miraculous Our Lady of La Naval, the church was designated
the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in 1954

Home to many Dominicans in the country, it is also the home to the miraculous image of the Our Lady of La Naval. Interestingly, it was sculpted in 1593 by a non-Catholic Chinese who later converted through the intercession of the Blessed Mother. It was also through her intercession that according to documented accounts, led to the triumph of the outgunned Spanish forces in two cargo ships who prayed for victory over the warring Dutch who utilized all in all 15 fully equipped and well manned warships in a series of famous naval battles near the old city of Manila in 1646.

This is the church where Lovey and I made our marital vows way back in 1991

During my high school years, I often served as an acolyte during school sponsored Masses in this church, being an active member and officer of the Knights of the Altar school organization.

Later on in life, this church also became more memorable for me and my wife Odette, as we got married in this very church way back in January of 1991. Our celebrating priest of choice wasn’t a Dominican though but a fun-loving but active social worker and Jesuit cleric, Fr. Guido Arguelles.

We did however avail of the angelic singing talents of the parish based boys choir Tiples de Sto. Domingo to sing during our late afternoon wedding.

Bastion of Christianity in the Philippines - the Manila Cathedral is at the heart of the historic walled city of Intramuros

From Quezon City, we travel to the old walled city of Intramuros in Manila. There, our next destination: the Manila Cathedral.

Also known as the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Manila. Like many old churches in the country, it has been damaged and destroyed several times (typhoon, fire, earthquakes, and World War II) since the first structure was first constructed in 1581. On its sixth rebirth, the present neo-Romanesque structure was completed in 1958.

Intramuros’ guards with modern day firearms are dressed as turn of the (20th) century Katipuneros

Under the tympanum of the Cathedral’s main doorway

The Latin inscription on the tympanum reads “Tibi cordi tuo immaculato concredimus nos ac consecramus” . The cathedral is dedicated to Mama Mary under the title Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the Philippines.

The Cathedral was filled with the faithful

At the top of the Cathedral rests a 52-year old pipe organ

By His wounds we are healed. (1 Peter 2:21-24)

The Christ statue hung in this cross gruesomely bears the agonizing pain and brutality

the Lord had to suffer for the atonement of our sins

Walking along a multitude of Lenten pilgrims

The Church of San Agustin and adjacent Museum

Not far from the Manila Cathedral is another historic church - San Agustin Church.

Built in 1587 and completed 1607, the San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the country. The architectural design of Juan Macias has survived many earthquakes since 1645 but was desecrated during the British occupation of Manila in 1762. The remains of the earliest Spanish conquistadores like Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, Salcedo and Lavezares and even of Blessed Pedro de Zuniga can still be found in the easternmost chapel of the church.

San Agustin Church’s altar

Intricate baroque designs and 19th century glass chandeliers

embellish the church’s vaulted ceiling

The San Agustin Church is a declared World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Deeply rich in history, the terms of the Manila’s surrender to the Americans in 1898 were drafted by Governor General Fermin Jaudenes in the old vestry of this church (now part of the San Agustin Museum). The first ever Philippine Plenary Council was also held in this church in 1953. It therefore comes as no great surprise that the church was chosen as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1993.

A delectable side trip to classy Ilustrado Restaurant

The ambiance of the Spanish colonial period was really sinking in to me. So upon seeing Ilustrado Restaurant, the idea of having a soothing merienda was a “temptation” I simply couldn’t resist.

During the Spanish colonial times, this would have been where the horse-drawn ‘calesas’ would have passed to the homes or establishments on the other side of the street










A serene walkway beside the restaurant











A statue of St. Michael the Archangel welcomes customers inside

Ilustrado’s Kuatro Kantos Bar

A stone’s throw away from historic General Luna St. (Calle Real del Palacio), inside the Amanecer Compound, Ilustrado Restaurant is a reassuring blast from the past. With its neo-classic motif, it combines the class and beauty of a time gone by with the amenities of our modern era. Anyone who has the resources for any important occasion or gathering in their lives like an anniversary or wedding should seriously consider such a captivating place.

Nothing like cool ‘halo-halo’ on a hot mid-summer’s afternoon

Literally meaning “mix-mix” - halo-halo is a popular dessert composed of shaved /crushed ice, sugar and evaporated milk with a generous mixture of a myriad of countless combination of ingredients which often include leche flan (custard), white kidney beans, red beans, tapioca (sago), jelly (gulaman), nata de coco, kaong, ube (purple yam), macapuno, banana, garbanzos (chickpeas), pinipig, nangka (jackfruit), etc. Special halo-halo like the ones we ordered were topped with scoops of ice cream.

Like many reconstructed buildings in Intramuros, this building retained much of its original Spanish colonial architectural features -
ground floors made of stone with second floors made of wood

Faith and nannies May-may and Cha pose near the statue of Lapu-lapu
(whom many recognize as the country’s first national hero) at the Luneta Park grounds









The cross at the top of the Vatican-inspired dome of St. Peter’s Church
along Commonwealth Ave shined brightly against the dark April evening sky

From Manila, we walked, and then traveled by bus back to Quezon City to our penultimate stop, St. Peter’s Church along Commonwealth Avenue. Relatively new and definitely the youngest of all churches we visited today, its dome design is highly reminiscent of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

St. Peter’s Parish Church is also filled and overflowing with the faithful







Believers pray and lay vigil before the Tabernacle inside the Good Shepherd Parish

After dinner at a family favorite, Tapa King Restaurant near St. Peter’s Church, we proceeded to our 7th and final destination, the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of the Good Shepherd in West Fairview.

There we found a pool of humanity in deep vigil as the tabernacle of the Holy Eucharist is displayed for veneration of the faithful.

It was a tiresome but fitting ending to a day of family bonding, discovery, rediscovery and communion with God. May every family decide to travel in a similar journey, a time for reflection to reconnect with your loved ones and a time to draw oneself closer to God.