Pilgrimage Park of Malicse family is Bohol’s new attraction

MABINI, Bohol, Philippines – A pilgrimage park, constructed in this town of Bohol, looms as the next attraction of the province.

The park, under the Aguipo Heritage Project that was conceptualized and realized by the family of Engineer Teresito Malicse, is difficult to resist for pilgrims, sight-seers and plain tourists because of its variety of unique features.

Malicse, who manages the family-owned Tertex International Philippine International and holds mining and metallurgical degrees from the Mapua Institute of Technology, has committed himself to the ambitious and innovative project.

Each of the 14 stations of the cross, spread out at the plateau below the Mutong Habug ((local term for “high mountain”) at Barangay Aguipo in this town, bear the letter that spells out the words “Jesus Christ Way.”

A physically-fit pilgrim, from the stations, can climb up the 200 steps to the viewing deck of Mutong Habug, also known as Mount View Park, which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains of Candijay, Carmen and Jagna towns, the plains of Ubay and Alicia towns, and even the island town of President Carlos P. Garcia.

According to Sheelah Malicse, Teresito’s daughter who is based in the United States, a 40-meter statue, taller than the popular 38-meter Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, shall be constructed on top of the mountain park.

Sheelah told The Freeman that the project started with a dream nourished by her mother, Marnie Simeon-Malicse when the latter was still a young girl.

Aguipo had a special place in Marnie’s heart because she grew up there. “I am the daughter of farmers and teachers, Patricio and Zosima, also teachers at the elementary school,” Marnie narrated.

Year after year, she went home to Aguipo where it eventually awakened her that nothing much has changed in the place through the years. Taking the cue from the town of Loboc, Marnie realized that Aguipo and Mabini itself has something unique to offer.

However, distinct from  Loboc that cashed in on its river to become a multi-million tourist destination, Aguipo’s draw is not limited only to its scenery, but also to its rich historical and religious heritage that has started to generate interest by word of mouth.

Aguipo is the Cebuano word for “ember.” The barangay got its name from the embers of a molave tree that an angry owner cut down and set the trunk on fire, after finding his carabao got untied unexplainably whenever he was not watching.

The burning ember miraculously continued to glow for more than a year, even when it was raining. People from the village and neighboring places would come by to get a starter fire off the smoldering ember (aguipo). When people were asked where they were going, they answered, “we are going to get aguipo,” and this was how the village got its name.

Another attraction to pilgrims and devotees is the miraculous image of San Vicente Ferrer of   Aguipo, which was carved out of the same molave tree.

On Fridays and especially during the annual feast on April 5, busloads of pilgrims and devotees visit the image that is now housed in a semi-permanent chapel built in place of the nipa chapel first made by Amadeo Busbus, son of Silverio, the man who set the molave on fire.