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.

_____________________________________________

7 Ancient Churches In 7 Lake Shore Towns

7 Ancient Churches In 7 Lake Shore Towns

           It was high noon. About 6 fishermen were in a huddle at a small port of Laguna de Bay. With one acting as the leader, they were discussing their task of setting up a fish cage. I was a plain kibitzer, looking at the fish nets. I was there at the port with two ladies, past their prime, tagging along and looking pleased with their lunch of fresh water fish at a nearby eatery.

           I usually travel alone but, this time, the ladies were insistent in joining as I took the Manila East Road en route to Laguna de Bay. That early, we had visited the old churches of Morong, Baras and Tanay. 

            From the looks of it, St Jerome Church in Morong remains to be the most visited. It is the oldest in the province of Rizal, having been built by the Franciscan Fathers in 1615. 

            At the St.Joseph Church in Baras and at San Ildefonso de Toledo Parish in Tanay, we took the trouble of taking the narrow, steep stairs at the back of the retablo leading to the belfry.

           With good roads, we easily traversed the mountain that connects Rizal province to Laguna. Atop a hill in Mabitac is the Our Lady of Candelaria Church. It overlooks the town proper and the wide green fields. 

            Two towns away is The Our Lady of Nativity Church in Pangil. As a religious practice, it being Holy Tuesday, most statues were then covered by purple cloth and my two female companions could not get a glimpse of The Pregnant Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I looked for the church helper and told him of our predicament. In no time, he acceded to our request to have a clear view of the much talked about icon.

             Over at Pakil, also in Laguna, noteworthy was the retablo of The Our Lady of Turumba Church with 14 icons housed in it. Not to mention the side altars. 

             At the neighboring town of Paete, all doors of the old church of St. James the Apostle were open. Statues of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary, the Crucified Christ and the Two Thieves and Mary Magdalene could be seen.

            At exactly 2:30 PM, we were counting. We had visited 7 churches and we had reached our target. After a brief walk at the town plaza of Paete, we boarded our bantam, turned right at the highway and headed home. It was a day well spent. And as I have always been saying, we surely will be back. Like the swallows of Capistrano.

Konted

Our Lady of Turumba in Pakil, Laguna

Our Lady of Turumba is also known as Our Lady of Sorrows.

Our Lady of Turumba Church's retablo and the side altars. The retablo houses 14 saints plus a statue of St. Michael at the top.

Souvenir shot

Hats for sale at Pakil's town plaza which is right across the church

Made of  papier mache

St. James the Apostle Church in Paete, Laguna

Wooden religious carvings for sale in front of the church

Church interior

Most statues have been covered by purple cloth.

At the town plaza of Paete 

The Our Lady of Nativity Church in Pangil, Laguna

The Pregnant Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Souvenir shot again for the two ladies

Our Lady of Candelaria Church in Mabitac, Laguna

Our Lady of Candelaria Church is perched on a hill.

For sale in front of the church

Church interior

Steep climb to Our Lady of Candelaria Church

St.Jerome Church in Morong, Rizal. 

St. Jerome Church, or San Geronimo, is the oldest church in Rizal province.

Church courtyard

In deep prayer

Also in deep prayer

St. Joseph Church in Baras, Rizal

Church interior

Stairway leading to the back of the retablo.

San Ildefonso de Toledo Church in Tanay, Rizal

Their nth souvenir shot. Let them be.

San Ildefonso de Toledo Church in Tanay, Rizal is also known for their Stations of the Cross.

Beautiful retablo. It rivals that of Our Lady of Turumba in Pakil, Laguna.

Leading to the church's belfry

Famous  for their fresh water fish. Since 1967.

Craving satisfied

Kanduli sa Miso

Ginataang  Hipon

Pritong Dalag

Port of Laguna de Bay known as Parola

Also at Parola in Tanay, Rizal

_______________________________________________________________________