Visita Iglesia in Tarlac and Pampanga

A Holy Week Special

7 Churches in 12 Hours

What does Visita Iglesia means? According to Rappler, Visita Iglesia or Church Visit is a Holy Week practice where devotees visit and pray in at least 7 separate churches. It morphed into a form of pilgrimage and meditation for the Holy Week, and also a form of seeking penance for sins. Superstition even has it that wishes would be granted upon completion of a Visita Iglesia. 

This holy trip is becoming a yearly thing in our office. We started it last year and visited 7 churches in Laguna and Quezon. This year, I was the one in-charge of looking for churches that we could visit. We are very particular with the churches we choose to visit, it must be old, a church that holds history. Also, I personally love to visit old churches, I feel reconnected to my past. 

Anyway, I am going to share with you guys out itinerary for our Visita Iglesia. We left Manila at 5 in the morning and arrived at 7 in the evening. 

Sir Ronald Sanchez beside his new Toyoto GL Grandia

You can do it also or choose other churches. I highly suggest that you hire a van/car whenever you are doing visita iglesia as it will save you more time. In that case, I personally recommend Sir Ronald Sanchez, you can reach him with this number, +63-932-255-3733, a very techie and polite driver I have ever met. He uses a navigation app and you don't have to worry about getting lost plus his van is spacious enough for 11 people. He was referred by Sir Macq, who also have a wide network of vans for hire, +63-998-561-5736. If you are looking for a van, you may contact Sir Macq, just tell him that you were referred by me and he will give you discounts. :)

Here are the churches we visited:

1. St. Josemaria Escriva, Gerona, Tarlac

A newly built church dedicated to the founder of Opus Dei, St. Josemaria Escriva. This luxurious church is in Bgy. Maspac, Gerona, Tarlac and it is only 10 minutes away from Pura/Gerona Exit in TPLEX and an hour away to Monasterio de Tarlac.

With Fr. Ato

the so - called "drive thru" of the church, for those who need to feed their soul

2. Monasterio De Tarlac, San Jose, Tarlac

Where the 30Ft statue of Risen Christ is standing. Monasterio De Tarlac became popular and going there is really easy, you just have to follow the signs. One could take TPLEX and exit at Victoria or exit at Tarlac in SCTEX. Monasterio is 30 - 40 minutes away from Tarlac City.

A very scenic place

Since the chapel is small to accommodate large number of devotees, the station of the cross is in the quadrangle.

Statue of Risen Christ

3. San Bartolome Parish Church, Lacson Street, Magalang, Pampanga

From Monasterio De Tarlac, this is an hour and a half drive but I suggest that you skip this church and just head your way to Angeles especially if it is already past 11AM. The best alternative here is the Apung Macalulu Church.

Note that they're closing the church at lunch time

This is interesting, those are tombs

4. Holy Rosary Parish Church, Angeles, Pampanga

This is situated at the downtown of Angeles. I love the ambiance of this place, very rustic. There are old houses around the area which were turned to business but still managed to restore it. This church is part of the 7 Holy doors in Pampanga.

We were able to witness a wedding. <3

5. Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando

Don't be confused with this cathedral, the google map will tell you that it is along McArthur Highway but the truth is, it is located at downtown of San Fernando, facing the Capitol. This church is also part of the 7 Holy doors of Pamapanga.

7 churches of Holy Doors.

6. St. James the Apostle Parish Church commonly known as Betis Church, Guagua, Pampanga
Among the churches we visited, this is my favorite. It may look old and shattered on the outside but inside it is full of saints and painting. It may be rustic but I love every piece of it. I love the wooden floor, the walls that were hand painted and the simplicity of it. This is a must visit church in Pampanga, plus every lenten season they have a museum which showcases the life of Christ and some of the Saints. 

The Museum

Inside of the Betis Church

7. Santa Rita De Cascia Parish Church, Dalan Betis Rd, Santa Rita, Pampanga

This is the final church for our Visita Iglesia. The church was crowded because of devotees from Diocese of Antipolo, they almost filled the church. The church is renovating but they still preserved the outside structure. 

The Exhibit during Lenten Season

The facade of Sta. Rita Church

That ends our Visita Iglesia, I hope this post helped you decide where to go on your next church visit. I think no matter what your religion is, visiting old churches is still a must do in traveling if you are into history and culture. Visiting churches will not just feed your soul but also feed your knowledge about the churches you visit. 

Verdict of Tara Gumala: Pampanga will not just feed your soul but also your tummy. This is a perfect place to visit churches and to be gastronomic.

ANO, TARA GUMALA??

CIAO.

--

GABRIELA

The Year I've become a traveller

2014 TRAVELS

List of places I've been for the past year

2014 is a memorable one mainly because of the following:

1. I started this blog TARA GUMALA. 

2. I started travelling and organized DIY travels. 

3. I got a life insurance. 

4. I traveled with my family.

5. I got a chance to do a volunteer work before the year ends. 

Hoooraaaaahhhh!

Okay, I do not know how to start this, I'm in a dilemma whether to present it chronologically or based on my favorite spots. :) I guess, to avoid any biases, I will just have to go with the chronologically order. 

1. Baler, Aurora

2. Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte

3. Albay, Bicol

4. Subic Beach, Sorsogon

5. Rock Formation, Biri, Northern Samar

6. Apo Reef, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro

7. Puerto Princesa, Palawan

8. El Nido, Palawan

9. Boracay Island, Aklan

10. Davao City + Samal Island

11. Mt. Pulag National Park, Benguet

12. Sitio Yangka, Capas, Tarlac

Puro local lang travel ko for 2014, how about in 2015? :)

Wow, it was like I travelled every month. Amazing! Thank you Lord for this year of travel, for keeping me safe always.


Cheers to more years of travels! Cheers to endless wanderlust! Cheers, TARA GUMALA! :)


Thank you for travelling with me, looking forward to our future travels.

Ano, TARA GUMALA?


CIAO. 
--
GABRIELA

Basket of Joy 2014 | Initiative for Social Action

PASKONG PINOY!

(c) Dave Sinson III

I recently joined a group of young professionals, mostly law students from Ateneo and their group is called ISA or Initiative for Social Action. It was founded by Jaypee and Mark Robe. This  is purely volunteerism and giving service to the people, especially those in the marginalized sector. Since it only started few years ago, they only have an adopted community which is Sitio Yangka in Capas, Tarlac but they are planning to reach other communities in the near future.

Before our outreach last December 20 - 21, 2014, we had an orientation at the basement of a fast food chain. The orientation went well and everything were properly explained though I am still curious on what my contribution will be. (Ayoko namang maging palamuti lang dun). I was so excited the whole week, I really miss doing something that is out of my daily routine and meeting other people that I know will help me get back on track, which is really working with people. I was kinda lost when I started working in a medical setting.

(c) Jason Hernandez

Before our assault, we had an orientation/briefing at a fast food chain in Capas, Tarlac and stopped by at Paidyanan to give courtesy call and load 950 kilos of assorted goods to the 4x4 trucks, which will transport us to drop off point going to Sitio Yangka.

Going to Sitio Yangka was very challenging, we endured the 45 minute bumpy ride through lahar and crossed river just to get to the jump off point. Then, it took us 2 and a half hour to get to Sitio Yangka. The trail was harder than Ambangeg Trail of Mt.Pulag. It was all assault, as in 80 to 90 degrees and we were carrying some goods that will be given to the people of Yangka. Good thing is that, they helped us carry our thing. I envy their energy, they were running back and forth while I was panting to death. :P

Finally, when we got to the top, the whole community was waiting for us to give us their traditional welcome. They gave us necklace made of indigenous materials, children wearing their traditional dress (bahag and saya) while playing a clapper made of bamboo, and a bonfire which we had to circled.

We went straight to the classroom and settled down. The community prepared some refreshments and light snacks that we all enjoyed. SALAMAT PO! Then, we proceeded to the assignment of respective foster family.

Me and another volunteer, Nayie, were assigned to the Mendoza Family. They are composed of Tatay Dexter, Nanay Princess, Althea and Aljur. Tatay Dexter was not born nor raised in Yangka but preferred to settle down there because he found serenity in Yangka together with his family. Nanay Princes is from Yangka and she is only 20 years old but I prefer to call her as Nanay to show respect. Althea is so cute and does not want to wear undies or shorts while Aljur always want to be carried by his parents. hehe.

Let me tell you some things about Sitio Yangka their people and environment that I observed during my 24hour stay with them (I prefer not calling them as Aeta because labelling them is discriminating).

1. Basically, they live on top of a mountain,  which is not accessible by any motor vehicle, bringing in and out of goods is not that easy. In order to get there, you must really walk and hike your way up. Accordingly, you can walk 4 hours from the nearest town or ride a 4x4 truck going to the foot of the mountain and hike your way up to the top. Being so, basic commodities like hospital, market and school are not within their reach. But they have the most scenic view above!

"main road" of Yangka

This is their daily view

They have beautiful sunset here! 

2.People of Yangka live a very simple life, they do not have electricity nor gas range stove and water is not that accessible but I envy them for not whining about it. They are content with their usual routine, which is, waking up early in the morning, have some coffee, have a small talk with their neighbors about life and then proceed to their farms. All they want is a land to till and equality.

They usual way of eating together

An ordinary house in Yangka

Mendoza Family House

3. Just like the other Indigenous Communities they are facing human rights issues. (i.e. discrimination, basic education, health and sanitation, ancestral domains, even voters education and financial literacy) This is kind of frustrating because their voices is not really heard, that even the IPRA law is really applicable to them, they are still having a hard time fighting for their rights!

4. Family is what they value the most, all of them are related to each other. They are leaves in a tree, they are individual but still in same tree.

5. The energy of the people will recharge your soul, that no matter how tiring the hike was, it was all paid off with the smile and laughter they gave us. Specially when you hear the children scream "KAMUCHI!!!"

Every child in Yangka knows how to play this, I tried but I fell.

Kamuchi!

Children having fun with their bubbles!

Salamat Sitio Yangka dahil pinatunayan niyong di kailangan ng marangyang buhay upang maging masaya. Sana maging inspirasyon kayo sa nakakarami. Salamat dahil sa kabila ng lahat ng diskriminasyon na inyong natanggap ay patuloy pa din ang inyong pakikipaglaban sa ating pagka-pantay pantay! Padayon!

I want to go back to this place, it is a haven for me. The tranquility of the place and the energy from the children are priceless. Also, they are very respectful (which you will hardly see in children living in the metro). This is a perfect blessing for me this Christmas, they returned me to my roots and made me realize how blessed I am, to be thankful for all the things I have in life. I think every young professional should join these kind of activities, it is very enlightening and inspiring to be a better person. Instead of posting all the products of commercialism, why don't you help others who are mostly in need. Sometimes, our fast - paced life make us forget what is really the essence of life.

So, how was your Christmas? Did you touch someone else's life?

Ano, TARA GUMALA?

Ciao.

---

GABRIELA.