What could be more exciting for a one devoted Catholic when you're in Iloilo? Aside from different attractions like beaches, Food, Festival, Mansions and Culture. There are Historical and Beautiful Churches that's good for a tour Pilgrimage.
It was Miag-ao Church and Garin Farm that we just want to visit as side trip from a Conference in Iloilo but little did we know there were lots of Historical churches that we could include in our itinerary as we travel to the famous stairway to Heaven Pilgrimage site in Garin Farm. Blessed enough that our friend ride a taxi and the driver offer a Pilgrimage tour. He said that Aside from Miag-ao and Garin farm there were Churches along the way that we can drop by and include in our itinerary just to concise our trip. So we come up with 6 Churches and the Garin Farm.
Fine weather and a not too crowded sites welcome us as we travel to our first destination. None other than One of the Unesco's World Heritage Church, the pride of Iloilo, Miag-ao Church. It was the same hype when I saw another Unesco's Heritage Church in Ilocos which is the Paoay Church. Amazing and Beautiful as it is in the Photos. We've seen great architecture design with intricate details on its facade. For a one practicing Catholic it was such a great experience to see this kind of preserved historic proof of our Faith that stands the test of time. I just don't have pictures of what's inside since there were lots of activities when we arrive.
Next stop would be another rising tourist attraction in Iloilo, The Garin Farm. It was an agricultural farm with a twist. as one enter the gate you will be welcome by a vine tunnel and also different farm animals, farm fruits and a Bahay kubo which will make you sing the real Bahay kubo song. Different plants were planted before you reach the Nipa hut but the sequence of plants were the same with what depicted in the song. starts with Singkamas at Talong, Sigarilyas at Mani, Sitaw, Bataw, Pataniiii. and so on, just sing the song and you'll figure out what are those. Upon reaching the canteen area, there you will be able to see your next adventure; The Pilgrimage site with what they so-called stairway to heaven. There are 2 options to get to heaven. Either you brace the scorching heat of the sun and walk to the top or get a cable car that cost 25 each up to the meditation tunnel. Once you get there, you will enter a cave or what they called meditation tunnel. It was dark, too dark as if you were blind but wait until you get out of the tunnel. Your eyes couldn't accept the light that comes from the sun and shinning light from what awaits you. It feels like in Heaven actually. There is a gate with St. Peter on its side and the Angels with trumpets welcomes you to heaven and of course the great Cross that serve as a shed to many people that couldn't open their eyes for it was strikingly bright. It's as if you can no longer bear the brightness. And that's the main purpose of the site. There is explanation at the end your journey that If you cannot bear the light then it is not your time yet to go to heaven and you have to go back to the real world to do good and be ready once your time has come. After that, another walk down to the mighty stairs but you can also choose to get the cable car to make it easier.
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| Figure out how many steps hahaha |
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| View from the Canteen |
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| too hard to open our eyes |
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| Entering the gates of heaven |
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| Beautiful |
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| Can you imagine the heat? |
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| Good Point |
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| for you |
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After a Tiring walk in Garin Farm we have decided to just make next destinations quick glimpse. And so, five churches were plotted with The Mansion as extra trip. We have visited the San Joaquin Church, Guimbal Church, Tigbauan Church, Molo Church/Cathedral and Jaro Church.
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| Jaro Cathedral |
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| Tigbauan Church |
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| Guimbal Church |
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| Molo Cathedral |
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| San Joaquin Church |
Iloilo has been known for Bulalo, Piyaya, Bisccocho, Being Malambing and Its Festival But Church Pilgrimage tour would be good to include to one's itinerary, for you will be able to see every town and how are they living their lives with these kind of beautiful sites to behold. For a one practicing Catholic, I've come to realize that every churches has stories to tell, people to represent but one faith to profess. I've never seen this kind of tour to be good since visiting churches might sound boring but not until I experience it. Indeed, true enough that the Lord has many surprises for us even in this kind of silent adventure. I am forever thankful for this experience and I hope to come back and bring my family as well in the City of Love.
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