Sunday, December 28, 2014

Johannine Pilgrimage 2014: TAAL, BATANGAS

As a way of giving thanks for the year that was, I always set out on a Christmas Journey every December 27, Feast of St. John the Apostle, because of whom I coined the term Johannine Pilgrimage. It started in 2005 out of a random trip to somewhere in Manila, and ever since, became one of my yearend activities. This year's Johannine is the tenth, so to make it more memorable, I decided to go out of town.

And so, I, together with my close friend Angelo Mangahas - himself a fervent devotee of Our Lady, went for Taal, Batangas, one of the famous centers of devotion to Our Lady, aside from their delicious Tapang Taal and Balisong. Our pilgrimage this year centered on two well-known churches, the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours at the Town Center, and the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay with its nearby well.

Our Lady of Caysasay is not a new thing to me, having learned of the image's story in a novena booklet given to me roughly ten years ago. In its history, the image was caught by Juan Maningcad while fishing in the Pansipit River. Called as the Wandering Virgin o Birheng Gala, the image was said to have miraculous attributes. People flock to her little shrine in Taal, and to the well of spring water nearby, to ask her intercession for many needs. Cures were given to the faithful who pray to Our Lady, and the affection of the townsfolk is really remarkable, that's why she is known as one of the celebrated images in the Philippines.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Intramuros Grand Marian Procession 2014

It's my second time to participate in the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession, but not as a simple spectator. Armed with my camera, I went away from the mob and chose a more comfortable place to take some shots. Though it depleted way before the procession ended, I was still able to get some wonderful memories of this year's iGMP.

I would just have a run-down of the photos and let the shots speak for themselves. ;)


SAN JOSE, Esposo de la Virgen

Annunciacion de la Virgen

Mayor Dolor

INA POON BATO, Zambales

NUESTRA SEÑORA DE ESPERANZA DE MACARENA

Aerial View of the Esperanza de Macarena.
Sorry for the photobomb.
NUESTRA SEÑORA DE CAYSASAY,
Taal, Batangas

NUESTRA SEÑORA DE ARANZAZU, San Mateo, Rizal

NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LOS DOLORES DE TURUMBA,
Pakil, Laguna. Imagine the volume of people dancing
and shouting, SA BIRHEN! Just wow.

A blurred yet close-up photo of Dolores de Turumba.

NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL SANTO ROSARIO, REINA DE CARACOL,
Rosario, Cavite

NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL SANTO ROSARIO DE DAMPALIT,
Our very own from Malabon City

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, from the National Shrine
in Makati City. Ma...BUHAY!

NUESTRA SEÑORA DE SOLEDAD,
San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
NUESTRA SEÑORA DE SOLEDAD DE PORTA VAGA,
Cavite City