Arayat Shrine
Arayat, Pampanga
A religious sanctuary built on top of a hill by Catholic devotees of Brgy. San Juan Bano in Arayat town
Basilica Minore of Malolos
Malolos City, Bulacan
The church which is the seat of the Diocese of Malolos is the bastion of faith for the past centuries. In recognition of Bulacan's undying love for Mary, Pope John Paul II declared this cathedral "Basilica Minore of the Immaculate Conception" on December 4, 1999.
Blessed John Paul II Memorial Shrine
Bataan Technology Park, Morong, Bataan
On May 2, 2011 at the Bataan Technology Park (the former Philippine Refugee Processing Center) in Morong, Bataan, a shrine commemorating the 1981 visit of Pope John Paul II (the pontiff celebrated Mass here on February 21) was inaugurated as a joint project of the Diocese of Balanga and the state-owned BTP. The centerpiece of the new shrine is a statue depicting Pope John Paul II on a boat with a refugee. It was executed by Laguna sculpture Conrado Balubayan, who was commissioned by retired Commodore Amado Sanglay, vice president and chief operating officer of BTP. The shrine stands beside other sacred temples and monuments built by the refugees. On May 1, 2011, Pope John Paul II was beatified at the Vatican, the last major step before canonization or sainthood, following which he can be publicly venerated with the title ”Blessed”. (Source: Phil. Daily Inquirer, April 17, 2011, by Tonette Orejas) Contact: BTPI Office, Ms. Daisy Fernando Email at [email protected] Mobile 0939-887-3585 / 0908-112-6002 or BTPI-SBMA Satellite Office, Area II Bldg. Q-7932 Blk 46, Manila Ave. cor Rizal Ave., CBD, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Tel. No. (63 47) 252-8626 or Fr. Ronnie Loreto (Shrine) Tel. No. (63 47) 612-0257 or Mobile 0918-440-8768
Divine Mercy National Shrine
Marilao, Bulacan
A place of prayer, healing,peace and solitude, the national shrine attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country and abroad. A life-size Stations of the Cross, the Rosary Hill, the Path of Healing, exhibits of the Holy Land and Mother Theresa of Calcutta and the cave of the Holy Sepulcher are spread over a 10,000 sq. m. property at the back of the shrine.
Gapan (Agustinian Mission)
Gapan City, Nueva Ecija
Augustinian mission in lowland Nueva Ecija was founded in Gapan in 1595. The Roman Catholic Church of Byzantine architecture, built within 16 years (1856-1872).
Gintong Pakpak Retreat House
Mt. Arayat, Pampanga
Founded in October 1969 by Angelito Gomez, Gintong pakpak Retreat House is a peace and beauty welcoming those who seek to deepen their relationship with God, and dedicated to retreats and spiritual direction in the tradition The Retreat House offers a variety of silent retreats for clergy, religious, and laity. The retreats are given in the Ignition tradition by an experienced staff religious, and lay spiritual directors. The retreats are open to anyone, regardless of parish or faith affiliation. We offer our individually directed retreats in the Ignition tradition—that is to say that retreat ants agree to abstain from conversation during their stay, except during the daily meetings with their spiritual director and participation in the celebration of Eucharist. (Source: http://gintongpakpak.net)
Goddess of Peace Shrine
Clark, Pampanga
A shrine donated by the Japanese government to the Filipino people to commemorate the long-cherished Japan - Philippine friendship ties and as a memorial to all the Japanese soldiers who perished during the last world war.
Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
This shrine is an exact replica of the Lourdes Grotto of France. It features a mock hill Calvary where life-sized statues depict the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Local and foreign tourists flock to this place during Lenten season.
Holy Land Subic Sanctuary & Theme Park
Tipo Expressway, Subic Bay Freeport
A worthy spiritual and ecotourism pilgrimage destination and first in Asia, the sanctuary is a world-class pilgrimage site and theme park in an ancient Holy Land setting in Jerusalem. The sanctuary includes a retreat house, a Bible museum, light & sound theater, healing center and reflection areas on biblical events, among others. The "obstacle run to heaven" races, children's rides, rock climbing for teenagers, waterfun, camel and donkey rides also add "more fun" to the spiritual journey. Contact information: Holy Land Foundation, Inc. 8 Sparrow St., Greenmeadows Subd., Quezon City, Phone (63 2) 633-0153 / 634-3880 Email [email protected]
Ina Poon Bato Shrine
Botolan, Zambales
The image of the Virgin Mary is a replica sculpted by Maximo Vicente, father of Mother Therese and noted sculptor of holy icons. He based his work on the wooden image of what the Aeta tribes in Zambales have been venerating for centuries. The image is believed to antedate the discovery of the tribes and their habitat by Spanish missionaries. The Aeta call the image "Apo Apang" which in their vernacular means "Little Queen." It is believed that the Virgin revealed herself in pre-Spanish times to an Aeta named Djadig. During the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, the stone statue was buried shoulder-deep in a hill named Rosaban. It required at least 12 men to lift the icon. The image found her home in Loob-bunga Resettlement in Botolan, Zambales where thousands of devotees gather during her feastday on January 23.
Ivory Image of St. Peter
Apalit, Pampanga
The life-size ivory image of St. Peter was brought from Spain to the Philippines in one of its religious voyages. At the end of the voyage, the image found permanent abode in a big stone house which belonged to to Don Pedro Umayan Espiritu, a very rich man who provided the image with three golden tiaras, a valuable scepter, a significant necklace, a religious ring, two silver keys, costly papal robes and a beautiful molave chair and carriage. The image is reverently called "Apung Iru" by the town people.
Kapitangan Catholic Chapel
Paombong, Bulacan
Penitents flagellate their bare backs here during Holy Week while walking barefoot towards the chapel as their own way of repentance and sharing the sufferings of Jesus Christ's passion. Actual crucifixion (nailing on the cross) takes place on Good Friday.
MICA Islamic Mosque
Brgy. Malhakan, Meycauayan, Bulacan
The Mica Islamic Center Association (MICA) was organized in 1982 in the house of Sultan Saleh Ali Gamora in #34 Dove St., Saint Francis Subdivision, Meycauayan, Bulacan, who, also became its first president. Eight years later in 1990 the association bought a land in 39 Daungan, Barangay Malhakan, Meycauayan, Bulacan for the purpose of building a mosque.
In 1991 the three-story mosque was built and finished, with a lot area of 300 sq. mtrs and a floor area of 170 sq. mtrs. per floor. The minaret tower, which is the symbol of Muslim church, is undergoing construction (July, 2007).
The mosque’s first level is used to teach Arabic language and Koran bible reading for children during weekends while second and third levels are devoted for religious activities. At present they already have 4000 members. Contact information: Sultan Saleh Ali Gamor, Mobile (+63) (0) 906-712-9695
Monasterio de Tarlac (Relic of the True Cross)
Brgy. Lubigan, San Jose, Tarlac
Description
The Monasterio de Tarlac was established in 2003 as the hermitage house for five (5) monks of the Priory of the Servants of the Risen Christ (SRC), a congregation of monastic brothers (more appropriately addressed as Frater) led by its Prior, Frater Ronald Thomas Cortez, SRC or Fr. Archie to his friends. The congregation has a total population of thirty (30) Fraters all over the country as of 2007 - all destined to a life of monasticism and contemplative life. The rather solitary and prayerful life in the monastery took an unexpected turn when it became the fitting shrine of the authentic relic or fragment of the True Cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified and died in Golgotha, according to Christian tradition.
The historic moment came in 2005 during the World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany when Msgr. Volker Bauer of the Diocese of Essen, Germany offered to turn over to Prior, Fr. Archie, the Sacred Wood since the monastic life was slowly fading in Europe. On January 30, 2007, the Silver Reliquary containing portion of the Cross was flown in by Msgr. Bauer in the Church of the Risen Christ at the monastery in San Jose, Tarlac where its dedication was officiated by His Excellency Most Rev. Fernando Filoni, D.D., Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, together with Tarlac Bishop Florentino F. Cinense, and a host of other clergy.
This particle of the True Cross was originally located in a church in Germany until the advent of communism which outlawed the practice of Christian faith thus giving way to Catholic churches being converted into museums and warehouses. Many of these pieces of the Wooden Cross were kept in secret places by Christians of old only to be distributed in later years to churches around the world. The reliquary is known to be the only one in the entire continent of Asia.
To accommodate the growing hordes of devotees to the shrine in Tarlac, the Prior decided to celebrate the Holy Mass daily (except Thursday) at 10:30 in the morning after which the faithful is allowed to the reliquary to pay their homage and be blessed with spirituality.
Twice a year, the silver-gilt reliquary is laid open for public viewing on January 30, the date it was enshrined, and on September 14, when the entire Christian community celebrates the anniversary of the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and for which the Vatican officially named the day in 1963 as the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. Atop the imposing altar is the inscription in Latin: Ave, Crux, Spes, Unica which means Hail, the Holy Cross, Our Only Hope. It is traditionally believed that more healing takes place during these dates.
The sprawling monastery with dormitory and viewing decks offers a commanding view of the mountainous terrain of the towns of Tarlac nearby and the imposing 30-ft. Statue of the Risen Christ. The priory is open to the conduct of spiritual renewals such as retreats and recollections for both students and adults. The fraters would be happy to conduct one for individuals or groups.
The veneration of the True Cross finds its origin in the legend of Helena. According to Christian tradition, when Emperor Constantine granted religious freedom to Christians in the Roman Empire in 313 A.D., his mother, Queen Helena, later in 326 A.D. made pilgrimage to the Holy Land to locate those places sacred to Christians and find the Cross of Jesus. With the help of Christians there, she found many places where Jesus lived, and carried out his ministry. Queen Helena had churches built in many of these sacred sites (e.g., the Tomb of the Holy Sepulchre, the Calvary, the Nativity, etc.). She also found the True Cross, buried under a pagan temple, the nails, and the title that was affixed to the Cross. She is said to have verified the true cross among the three that were unearthed through miracles (a dead girl was restored to life when touched by the True Cross) . She left part of the Cross in Jerusalem, gave part to her son in Constantinople, and took part back to Rome where the Church of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem was built. Pieces of the Cross were venerated as holy relics, and fragments were given as gifts to many churches in Europe. Sixteen centuries later in 2007, a fragment of the True Cross found its place in the Church of the Risen Christ in a peaceful and quiet Monasterio de Tarlac.
How to Get There
From Manila, take the North Luzon Expressway, exit Sta. Ines Toll Plaza in Mabalacat, Pampanga. Proceed towards north to Tarlac City. Upon reaching Brgy. San Sebastian (Hotel Sogo on the left corner; Matutina's Seafood Restaurant on the left), take a left turn to the bypass road (Tarlac - Pangasinan) towards the town of Camiling. Follow the 36-km backcountry but well-paved road to Brgy. Lubigan in San Jose, Tarlac (turns are well signposted). For fast and convenient travel, take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila; exit NLEX Spur Road between Dau and Sta. Ines exits to take the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway all the way to Tarlac City.
The monastery is located at the heart of the 278-ha Tarlac Ecotourism Park in Brgy. Lubigan, San Jose, Tarlac.
The place will soon become one of the most-visited piligrimage sites in the country.
Contact Information:
Contact Fr. Archie (Servants of the Risen Christ Monastic Community) or Kenneth Talavera (Office Secretary) Phone (63 45) 493-3002 Mobile 0916-250-8414 P.O. Box No. 21 (Tarlac City) Email [email protected] / [email protected] website http://monasterio-de-tarlac.weebly.com/ Holy Mass everyday except Thursday @ 10:30 a.m.
Department of Tourism - Region III, Tel. No. (045) 961-2612/625-8525 or eMail: [email protected] or Tarlac Provincial Tourism, Tel. No. (045) 982-1234 loc 148, Tarlac City Tourism Council, Tel. No. (045) 982-4051/1923
Museo Diocesano de Malolos
Malolos City, Bulacan
The evangelization of the province of Bulacan by the Augustinian friars started with the planting of the cross in Meito, Calumpit in 1572. Soon after the towns of Malolos, Bulacan and Hagonoy were established in the name of the King of Spain. The baptism of Rajah Laya of Meycauayan by Franciscan Missionaries led to mass baptisms in the neighboring settlements. The early resistance led by native priestesses or catalonans to the foreign faith melted in the zeal of Franciscan and Augustinian friar missionaries. The Catholic faith eventually captured the hearts and minds of the people. WHAT TO SEE: the baptismal registry of Calumpit's Dionisia and Cecilia Talampas, both candidates for beatification, baptismal records of Francisco Balagtas, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, the versions of the Ave Marias by Abelardo, Santiago and Buencamino, great pillars of the Kundiman are given prominence, devotional paintings and sculptures alongside gold embroidered vestments including a rare wheel of bells rotated for consecrations.
National Shrine of St. Anne
Hagonoy, Bulacan
The church is the only place in the country where the relics of Sts. Anne and Joaquim, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are venerated.
Santo Entierro
Baler, Aurora
A glass coffin encasing a statue of Jesus Christ is displayed in a makeshift wooden chapel in Baler. The name of the sculptor is not known though locals claim that this icon possesses miraculous powers and grants miracles to those who believe. During Holy Week, "albularyos" (spiritual doctors) and amulet holders flock to this revered statue to insert their anting-anting (amulets) into the niches of the coffin. After Good Friday, they retrieve their respective amulets now recharged with power. It is also said that the amulets in the niches are visible only to their owners.
St. Peter's Shrine.
Apalit, Pampanga
This shrine contains the image of the famous "Apung Iru" (St. Peter), a life-size ivory statue from Spain, which the pilgrims venerate all year-round.
Sto. Shing Ongkong Buddhist Temple
City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Built in 1960 by the Chinese community of San Fernando.
Virgen Divina Pastora National Shrine
Gapan City
On February 13, 1986, the Three Kings Church of Gapan City was declared as the National Shrine of Virgen Divina Pastora. The miraculous image is believed to be the protector of the people of Gapan City. Unending stories of miracles resolve to strengthen the faith of its legions of devotees all over the province and the rest of the country. Every May 1 of each year, people flock to the church to pay homage to the Virgin.
Contact