Our Lady of Manaoag

Our Lady of Manaoag

        Traffic was at a standstill as we reached the town proper of Manaoag. It was still about a kilometer away from Manaoag Church. On board a motorcycle, a man was motioning that we follow him, apparently to lead us to a shorter passage to our point of destination. We did and, in five minutes, we were at the rear portion of the old church. Hundreds were making a beeline for the miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin of Manaoag.

        The Blessed Virgin of Manaoag is enshrined in a church built in the 1600s by the Dominican Fathers. From a small church, it is now classified as a Minor Basilica. Though it has undergone several rehabilitations, the church has retained its old architectural design. Thousands troop to the little town of Manaoag to seek divine guidance and make specific petitions through Our Lady of Manaoag. Many have claimed to have benefited from the miraculous powers of the revered icon.

        From Metro Manila, the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag is about three hours of easy driving via the North Luzon Expressway, exiting at the farthest toll gate, which in in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. Many travelers bound for the North make it a point to pass by the town of Manaoag. Others come from the far-flung areas of the country, unmindful of the long distance and time as they have this unbreakable faith that their prayers will be answered.

- Konted

Church of Nuestra Senora de Manaoag in Pangasinan

It is now formally called Minor Basilica of  Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag.

About the church

Almost always filled to the brim

The main altar

The Crucified Christ at the left flank of the main altar

Close shot of Our Lady of Manaoag

Closer shot of the miraculous Our Lady of Manaoag

At the back of the church

Inching their way closer to Our Lady of Manaoag

Near the main entrance

There is a parking lot at the rear of the church.

The popular sticky rice cake called TUPIG being sold near the church

____________________________

The Grand Flyover at Commonwealth Avenue

The Grand Flyover at Commonwealth Avenue

          

           We all have our own landmarks. They are markers or references which help us in establishing our location and provide us with driving directions.  But these landmarks, at this age of fast infrastracture development, may not be there always. At the Old Balara in Quezon City, for instance, time was when traffic moved slowly at the narrow road leading to Commonwealth Avenue and to the other side, which is Tandang Sora and the adjacent areas. It used to be a bottleneck. There was this Glori Supermart near the junction. 

Iglesia ni Cristo temple along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City (wikipic; caption is mine)

The Old Balara public swimming pool popular in the 60s and 70s. (manilanostalgiapic; caption is mine)

           But times have changed.  And the places as well.  The road at the Old Balara has been widened and concreted. And just as one gets past Zuzuaregui Drive, an imposing and massive flyover looms on the horizon. This flyover has a span of 500 lineal meters from the Old Balara Road to Luzon Avenue, which is on the other side of Commonwealth Avenue. What seemed like an eternity in the past, it takes a motorist only a minute to traverse that P520 million overpass. It is an engineering feat. Kudos to the DPWH and the Quezon City local government.

The Commonwealth Flyover connects Old Balara to Luzon Avenue whch is on the other side of Commonwealth Avenue. (carnavipic; caption is mine)

Approaching Luzon Avenue which connects to Congressional Avenue Extension.(doctrinepic; caption is mine)

           This overpass is a vital part of an ambitious government project that links South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).  From Luzon Avenue, it connects to Congressional Avenue Extension leading to the NLEX. There is ongoing development in this major thoroughfare.  There are gasoline stations, cafes and restaurants, car wash shops and other business establishments. Subdivisions like Tierra Pura, Mira Nila and Tierra Bella have opened secondary gates along the stretch of Congressional Avenue Extension.

This is part of Congressional Avenue Extension which leads to the North Luzon Expressway(NLEX).(rentpadpic; caption is mine)

The wide North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) (wnpic; caption is mine)

Tierra Pura is a first class subdivision along Congressional Avenue Extension.  It has another gate at Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City. (homestrovitpic; caption is mine)

One of the principal roads of Tierra Pura.  There are still available lots for sale. (homesmistulapic; caption is mine)

House and lot for sale at Mira Nila along Congressional Avenue Extension in Quezon City (homesmistulapic; caption is mine)

House at Tierra Bella (fallingrainpic; caption is mine)

Romy' s safe house in the vicinity of Congressional Avenue Extension

            One commercial establishment along Congressional Avenue Extension is Brewing Point.  It is a resto bar near the gates of Tierra Pura. Perched on an elevated ground and with clear see-through glass panels, one can enjoy whiling away the time with old friends, engaging in quiet conversation while savoring the much talked about food delights of the place. Yema Cake, Blueberry Cheesecake, name it, they've got it. Beef Salpicao with mashed potatoes, Gambas Fritas, Quesadillas and Pasta Bolognese are best sellers. And to cap the day, a bottle of good wine stimulates the senses, and memory alike, for that short trip down memory lane. You surely will enjoy. To the last drop. Even when the rain pours, even when thunder roars.  For who cares about the weather when you are in good company?

- Konted

Brewing Point along Congressional Avenue Extension near the gates of Tierra Pura 

Beef Salpicao with mashed potatoes.  The meat is tender.

Gambas Fritas: Both an appetizer and a main dish

Quesadilla is Mexican flour tortilla with cheese and other stuffed ingredients.

Pasta Bolognese is Spanish in origin.

Wine is good for the heart.

Romy I, Rouel Quito and Ted G.  Non-stop conversation for four and a half hours.

___________________________