Nestled in the heart of Baras, Rizal, Baras Church, formally known as the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Joseph, stands as one of the oldest churches in the province.
Tag: Philippines
Vicente Manansala’s “Inang Bayan”
Painted in 1975 by National Artist Vicente Manansala, Inang Bayan is a monumental mural that blurs the lines between art, politics, and propaganda. Installed at the Philippine Heart Center—a premier hospital that was one of many legacy projects of then-First Lady Imelda Marcos—the painting was officially declared an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines on February 28, 2011. At the heart of the mural is a symbolic portrayal of Marcos herself, at the height of her influence during the Marcos dictatorship.
Marilao Church
While the town of Marilao in Bulacan is often recognized as the home of the National Shrine and Parish of the Divine Mercy, there exists an older, historically rich church that holds deep roots in the spiritual and cultural heritage of the town—St. Michael the Archangel Church, more commonly referred to as Marilao Church.
Nuestra Señora dela Lumen Church in Cainta
The Cainta Church traces its origins to 1707, when Jesuit priest Father Gaspar Marco built its first stone structure. Initially dedicated to Saint Andrew the Apostle, the church received a new patroness in 1727 when a painting of Our Lady of Light was brought from the Kingdom of Sicily. This Marian image became the centerpiece of the church’s spiritual devotion.
Short Vacation in Binalbagan
For a short vacation, we went to the municipality of Binalbagan in Negros Occidental. Binalbagan, originally called Inabagan or “The Haven of Refuge,” is one of the oldest towns in Western Visayas, founded in 1572 along with Oton. Binalbagan even holds the title Banwang Panganay (eldest town). Initially inhabited by Negritos and later by Malays from the ten Bornean Datus, the town became a major Spanish encomienda in 1571.
Hinigaran Church
St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, was originally established in 1848 when Spanish missionaries arrived in the area, notably Augustinian priest Father Jose Maria Pavon. Father Pavon began by constructing a makeshift church using nipa, a local palm that grows abundantly in the swampy areas surrounding Hinigaran.
Divine Mercy Shrine in Marilao
The National Shrine and Parish of the Divine Mercy is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Malolos and was elevated to the status of a National Shrine by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. The very first Mass at the site was held on February 2, 1992, during the Feast of the Presentation, marking the beginning of its role as a center for Divine Mercy devotion in the Philippines.
One Piece 25th Anniversary at SM North EDSA
The centerpiece of the Animezing North: One Piece 25th event is the gigantic Luffy Gear 5 balloon. Gear 5 is the awakened form of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, enhancing Luffy’s rubbery body and granting him the power to manipulate and transform his surroundings. Luffy unlocked this ability during his final battle with Kaidou on Onigashima.
The Shrine of the First Korean Saint in Bocaue, Bulacan
St. Andrew Kim Taegon was the first Korean Catholic priest and is the patron saint of Korean clergy. He studied as a seminarian in Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan, which is now the site of his shrine. In 1846, at the age of 25, he was tortured and beheaded near the Han River in Seoul.
Buying Pastries at Baker’s Hill, Palawan
Baker’s Hill, as the name suggests, began as a simple bakery with a small park. Over time, it transformed into a popular tourist attraction known for its unique architecture and vibrant, life-sized statues of beloved cartoon characters. Visitors are drawn to its charming atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to buy souvenirs and sweet delicacies to take home.
Tanay Church
San Ildefonso de Toledo Parish Church, commonly known as Tanay Church, is a remarkable example of Baroque architecture. Constructed between 1773 and 1783, it was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 2001, recognizing its historical and cultural significance. The 400-year-old Tanay Church is considered as one of Rizal province’s key pilgrimage sites.
Antipolo Churches
Antipolo City, located in Rizal, is renowned as the pilgrimage hub of the Philippines thanks to the yearly tradition of “Alay Lakad,” where pilgrims embark on a foot journey every April 30th. Starting from Quiapo Church in Manila, they trek to the shrine, culminating in a sunrise Mass that signals the beginning of the pilgrimage season from May to July, dedicated to honoring Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. But aside from the Antipolo Cathedral, here is the list of churches in Antipolo, Rizal.
Amoj In Wanderland 