My favorite religious places

(Second of two parts)

There are religious sites that in time become tourists’ destinations. I’ve listed down some of my personal favorites the last time. Here are some more below:

The Manila Cathedral – I’ve read just recently about how the Department of Tourism is pushing for the Manila Cathedral to be a tourists’ destination – which I think is a right move because we should tell the world and even our fellow Filipinos about its historical significance.

Personally, I’m amazed at how it had collapsed (due to natural calamities) many times over, but somehow would always rise up – on the same spot. During the Second World War, it was reduced to rubble and was rebuilt over decades. (In its place, San Miguel, beside Malacañang Palace, served as the pro-Cathedral.) Now, the Manila Cathedral – dedicated to the Immaculate Conception – stands again in its glorious splendor for the world to see.

San Agustin Church – I always marvel at its antiquity and I always feel a little sadness (actually I am horrified) thinking about all the people who perished there (and the women who were raped) at the height of the liberation for Manila in 1945.

Lourdes Grotto in Baguio – A devotee (although not a rabid one) of Our Lady of Lourdes, I will gladly climb those hundreds of steps leading to her grotto. Up there, I pray to the image of the Blessed Mother and more often than not, I always get answers to my prayers.

The Baguio Cathedral – A couple of years ago when I tried to be a Baguio resident (although I’ve given up on it since I got tired driving back and forth), I always heard Sunday Mass at the Baguio Cathedral since there was no church near my residence. Even if parking is difficult, I always feel good hearing Mass there all wrapped up in my jacket.

Convent of the Pink Sisters in Tagaytay – I go there for the peace and tranquility. And yes, I also look forward to buying jars and jars of oatmeal cookies baked by the good sisters as pasalubong for my city-dwelling friends.

Shrine of Our Lady of Salvation in Tiwi, Albay – The Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia in Naga City is the patroness of the whole Bicolandia. But it is said that the Our Lady of Salvation is the patroness of the province of Albay. Whenever I go to Legaspi, I always try to make an effort to visit the shrine of Our Lady of Salvation up on a hill in the nearby town of Tiwi. The church is usually deserted when I visit (usually at mid-afternoon on a regular day). I was told, however, that on the Lady’s feast day, the traffic is horrible there.

The Cross of Magellan in Cebu City – There is so much question about the authenticity of the cross there, but whenever I get the chance to visit that place in the middle of Cebu’s busiest street, I still look up at the cross and try to convince myself that it is the real cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan in the 16th century.

Jaro Cathedral – The first time I went to Iloilo, the first church I got to visit was the Jaro Cathedral and I was surprised that all the images of the saints lined up all the way to the altar are male. How chauvinistic. But surely it makes for a very nice topic of conversation among the tourists and their hosts.

The Molo Church – If there is an all-male saints church, there is also an all-female saints parish – with St. Ann (mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary) as patroness. Like the Jaro Cathedral, the Molo Church is also a beautiful place of worship and you will marvel at its antiquity.

The one thing I like about visiting Iloilo is that I don’t only get to see wonderful and old architecture, but I also get to taste the wonderful delicacies the different towns offer: Pinasugbo, piaya, biscocho, butter scotch, pancit Molo, puto Manapla and of course, Ted’s batchoy. With every visit to Iloilo, I don’t only get spiritual nourishment, but nourishment in the real sense of the word. Amen to that.