Yesterday, we went on our yearly family Visita Iglesia in observance of Maundy Thursday. In previous years, we visited churches in Metro Manila. Last year, we went around Caloocan City and Malabon. In 2015, we visited churches in Bulacan province (LINK). This year, I decided to take the family to visit churches in relatively nearby Rizal province. Despite being familiar with their names, I believe this is the first time I am actually to be in these towns.
1. OUR LADY OF LIGHT PARISH - CAINTA
The stone church of Cainta was first built in 1707 and completed in 1716. In 1727, Our Lady of Light was chosen as its new patroness. The church was burned down during the Filipino-American war. It was left in ruins for more than 60 years until it was rebuilt in 1966 with its original facade. When you enter the churchyard from the main road, you only see the side entrance near the altar. You have to go into the church and go out the front door in order to see its beautiful stone facade.
2. ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH - TAYTAY
Built from 1599 to 1601, the original church at this site was considered to be the first church built by the Jesuits out of stone outside Manila. That old church was damaged by typhoons, fire and the Philippine-American War, but was rebuilt and expanded after each disaster. It is interesting to note that St. Pedro Calungsod served as an altar boy in Taytay in 1666, serving as assistant to Blessed Fr. Diego Luis San Vitores, who was also martyred with Calungsod in the Marianas in 1672.
3. ST. CLEMENT PARISH - ANGONO
This church had humble beginnings as a chapel of a hacienda in 1751. In 1784, a big copper church bell was brought to Angono by the Hacendero Josep Blanco Bermudez. That bell is still in use at the belfry of the present church in Angono. The building of this present church began in 1877 and completed in 1930.
4. STA. URSULA PARISH - BINANGONAN
Google Maps seemed to be confused about the location of this church within the narrow streets of this town. It gave us wrong directions so we just followed the other cars going to the church. It was located near the busy marketplace area, but there were officials manning the traffic into and out of the churchyard. This church building with its elegant stone facade was first built from 1792–1800.
5. STO. ROSARIO PARISH - CARDONA
This was a small church along the main road. It had no churchyard it seemed, so people were just parking along the road, but local officials there were efficiently assisting pilgrims. This church was being totally renovated during this visit, both outside and inside. A point of interest is the park across the street dedicated to the heroes of various wars.
6. ST. JEROME PARISH - MORONG
There seemed to be only one entrance and exit into the churchyard which was up on a hill so traffic was backed up. I decided to just park along the street and we just walked up. The church frontispiece and belfry (built by Bartolome Palatino of Paete between 1850 and 1853) was absolutely imposing and intricately detailed.
7. SAN ILDEFONSO del TOLEDO PARISH - TANAY
We were supposed to visit St. Joseph Parish Church in Baras town next, but we could not find the turn and totally missed it. So we decided to go further on along the road to the next town, Tanay. The traffic around the church was very well organized by the community. No parking within the church grounds, but there was enough parking in the streets around it. This magnificent old church was completed in 1783. The altar backdrop was the grandest among the churches we saw today, all in gold trim with three tiers of saintly statues on it.
On the way back to Manila, we drove through the zigzags of Antipolo and wanted to pass by the Antipolo Cathedral for a visit. However, the vehicular traffic in the area is already very heavy, with people parking in streets quite a distance away from the church. On our way back to the city along Ortigas Ave. that afternoon, we were already encountering the devotees who were doing their yearly trek up to Antipolo on foot.
The Morong facade is one of the best examples of indigenous baroque architecture... but the interior might be a let down..
ReplyDeleteSan Ildephonso de Tanay's reredo is perhaps one of the best near Metro -Manila and I believe its an original compared to the gilded reredos you see in the previous and in modern churches in Metro Manila.
Its reminiscent of the Jesuit Churches in Bohol.. Thanks for the wonderful pictures... its a cultural tour but just be reminded that the Visita Iglesia tradition is to seek a sacred space to be grateful for the many gifts received from God through the year especially the gift of salvation and hope in the times of crisis.
Wow! Such gorgeous architecture! Reminds me the good old churches in Old Goa in India! Esp Morong and Tanay churches are so gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love visiting churches! The older they are, the better. I have been to numerous churches in Luzon, but none from what you mentioned here. I hope I'll be able to visit them in the future!
ReplyDeleteThe St. Clement Parish looks stunning with its beautiful architecture both inside and outside. I loved seeing all the churches of Rizal Province :)
ReplyDeleteWow, these our beautiful Churches and so timely, since that we are celebrating Holy week just recently. I hope I can visit these Churches If I get the chance. I like all the old design and appearing to be so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou were really to explore Rizal in line with the annual visita iglesia. They do have a lot of beautiful churches.
ReplyDeleteChurches in the Philippines are one of the best architectural structures in the land. Aside from this, most cathedrals have long history to go with its beautiful structure.
ReplyDeleteI have skipped vicita iglesia for quite sometime now. I miss doing this!!! How was the traffic in Rizal during holy week?
ReplyDeleteThe church that caught my attention was your first in the list: Our Lady of Light. I think it was because of the external outlook. It looked really majestic and almost haunting if you take a picture at night~ #NoOffense!
ReplyDeleteHow long did the while trip take?
ReplyDeleteHi i am Lourdes, a senior citizen and BEC coord. from OUR LADY OF GRACE PARISH, Sucat, Paranaque. I intend to follow the churches you visited plus Regina Rica. I would to Ask your help about the route, which church to visit first then the nxt, etc.How much time to go from one church to the nxt. Thank you very much for your immediate reply
ReplyDeleteHello. Honestly we just followed Google Maps from one church to the next, since these towns are one after the other. We also wanted to go to Regina Rica after the last church but it seemed so far on the map and it was already getting dark so we decided to head back to Manila instead. Good luck on your trip, ma'am!
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