Konted's Make My Day 2: Laguna

Showing posts with label Laguna. Show all posts

Thursday, 30 December 2021

The Town Of Real In Quezon

The Town Of Real In Quezon

Sometimes, it is good to veer off the beaten path. And take the road less traveled.

Which we did one Tuesday morning, not too long ago.

Taking the Manila East Road from Ortigas Avenue Extension, and passing through the towns of Morong, Tanay, Pililla, Jala Jala and Mabitac, we turned left at the junction of Famy and Siniloan in Laguna Province.

With no traffic and no hassle, it was an easy uphill drive to the mountainous part of Siniloan town and a smooth descent to the town of Real in Quezon Province.

Real is a laid back town that faces the Pacific Ocean. Able-bodied men are engaged in deep sea fishing. There are stalls along the highway selling Yellow Fin Tuna, Snapper, Squid and many more.

Most resorts in Real offer no frills, with only the simple nipa hut style of board and lodging. You may buy from the stalls outside and cook them without additional charges.

Or you may simply park your car under the shade of a tree with a good view of the sea, listen to retro music and let the rest of the world go by.

- KONTED ☺

Good road condition all the way to Real, Quezon

There are stalls along the highway selling Dapo (Bird's Nest Ferns).

Real, Quezon is about 262 kms. from Metro Manila. Next to it is the town of Infanta.

The town of Real faces the Pacific Ocean.

Fishing boats docked at the shores of Tignoan in Real, Quezon

Part of the declared Fish Sanctuary in Real, Quezon

View of the sea from the highway

Yellow Fin Tuna, Pompano, etc.

Gentle breeze at the seashore

Souvenir items for sale along the national road of Laguna

Sweet lanzones @ P90 per kilo

Rambutan @ P40 per kilo

You can haggle with the vendor.

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Saturday, 8 June 2013

The Dancing Virgin Of Turumba

The Dancing Virgin Of Turumba

She is often referred to as the dancing virgin. Or the dancing image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When her revered image is taken out of Pakil Church on special occasions, people begin dancing in the streets. They swing and sway to the rhythmic beat of "Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen. "

Our Lady of Turumba is enshrined at the San Pedro de Alcantara Church in Pakil, Laguna which is more popularly known as Pakil Church. The image's complete name is Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Turumba or Our Lady of Sorrows. Many believe in her powers and several miracles have been attributed to her. Pakil is a neighboring town of Paete and Pangil in Laguna.

The story goes that one day in the 18th century, local fishermen retrieved a floating image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As they were trying to carry the icon, they could not do so as it was too heavy. This prompted them to ask help from the residents.

While they succeeded in lifting it, the weight forced them to swing and sway on either side as they moved to the town proper. Others joined them and were simulating their movements. They were now dancing and enjoying what they were doing. That later on became the Turumba dance of Pakil.

Because the Virgin of Turumba is also the Virgin of Sorrows, it is paraded several days before the Holy Week. During the town's feast day, which is May 12, many devotees flock to Pakil to join the Turumba dance and ask for her blessings. On ordinary days, others simply pray inside the old Church in Pakil and request for a particular intention.

Pakil can be reached via the Tanay-Pillila-Mabitac highway near the Rizal-Laguna boundary. Travel time is about 1 1/2 hours from Ortigas Avenue Extension in Pasig. Another way is through the SLEX-Calamba-Sta Cruz route. Pakil Church is open everyday of the week. And it is a guarantee that time spent for the trip is not a wasted time.

Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen

Matuwa tayo't mag aliw

Turumba'y ating sayawin

Puri sa Mahal na Birhen, sa Birhen

- Konted

A stunning view of Laguna de Bay on the way to Pakil, Laguna.

There are several stalls selling fresh buko along the national road.

An old, huge Balete tree near the Rizal-:Laguna boundary

Scenic views on the way to Pakil Church

Pakil Church with the Sierra Madre Mountain range in background

Plaza in front of Pakil Church

Rectory adjacent to the church

Stoup near the main entrance of church

Church's interior

The Crucified Christ

Main altar

Lighted image of Our Lady of Turumba

Right side altar

Painted ceiling of Pakil Church

Church's balcony

Church courtyard

Rosaries, small crosses, etc.at the parish rectory

Statues of Our Lady of Turumba for sale

Blessed oil

The Ten Commandments

About Pakil Church

Pakil Church on an ordinary day

Our Lady of Turumba is paraded around the town on special occasions (G' file)

Municipal Hall of Pakil which is near the church

Merienda at Razon's along Marcos Highway in Cainta, Rizal

Halo-halo for P95.00. Super sarap!

Sunday, 2 June 2013

Paete: At The Foot Of The Sierra Madre

Paete: At The Foot Of The Sierra Madre

Paet is a Tagalog word for chisel which is a carpentry tool. From this root word, the town of Paete's name was supposedly coined. For Paete boasts of highly skilled wood carvers and sculptors. Such has been the case for many generations. Wood carvers of Paete have consistently been tapped to do delicate wood works around the globe. Some of the religious statues at the St.Peter's Basilica in Rome were done by Paete's art specialists.

Paete is a quiet town in northeastern Laguna. It is situated at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountain range and its proximity to Laguna de Bay makes it also a lakeshore town of the province of Laguna. While the town is famous for its sweet lanzones, the residents too have a steady supply of Tilapia, Kanduli, Hito, Karpa, Bangus and Ayungin.

Paete is considered as one of the oldest political units in the entire country as it was established as a Christian community as early as 1580. At the town proper is an old stone church built by the Spanish missionaries. It has a baroque architectural design. All the wood works inside the church were done by Paete's selected craftsmen and skilled workers.

Though the log ban has affected the carving industry of Paete, there are still numerous woodcarving stores and carpentry shops along its narrow streets. Papier mache is becoming a popular product and some are exported to other countries. Home decors and other souvenir items are sold at cheaper prices.

Paete's neighboring towns are Pangil, Pakil, Kalayaan and Lumban. It is only a few kilometers away from Pagsanjan. One can reach Paete through the Manila East Road passing through the Rizal-Laguna boundary. Another route is through the South Luzon-Los Banos-Sta Cruz way which is much longer. Any way you take, the trip to Paete is definitely worth the time and effort.

- Konted