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

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The Beauty Of Daranak

The Beauty Of Daranak

          In the stillness of the forest, one can hear water dropping abruptly from a rocky ledge as it cascades down to a plunge pool beneath. The mere sight of clean, clear emerald green waters where one can dip soothes the mind, soothes the nerves. 

           From afar, the chirping of birds, particularly the Zebra Doves, Black-Naped Orioles and Hanging Parrots, can be heard. If such is within one's hearing range, then, for sure, the sounds of insects, notably the crickets, are a give away.

          Looking around, noticeable are tall trees that provide shade, the green tropical plants and the fragrant flowers with some sprouting from rocks. Truly, one sees an endless verdure, a gift from nature. 

           Crossing a wooden bridge spanning two huge boulders, he sees bubbling waters moving past brown and gray rocks, persistent in reaching its destination.

          Daranak Falls, indeed, is a gem. Nestled at the vast Sierra Madre Mountain Range, Daranak is one of Tanay's top tourist attractions. It is the pride of Rizal Province.

           From the national road at Tandang Kutyo, the traveler takes a concrete feeder road and, in about 10 minutes, he is at the main entrance of Daranak Falls. No need to hike several kilometers of hazardous paths, no need to make balancing acts in crossing streams or brooks. Daranak Falls is only a few meters away from the road.

          But here's the rub. Because of Daranak's popularity and accessibility, hundreds, from near and far, motor to the place to unwind. It is overcrowded on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Every available space is occupied. 

           The next best thing to do is visit Daranak on an ordinary day, not on a weekend. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday is suggested. You have the place all to yourselves and you can better appreciate the beauty of Daranak. See you there !!

  -  Konted

Entrance to Daranak Falls

The footbridge that connects the main road to Daranak Falls

It is green all over Daranak

Height of Daranak Falls is 14 meters.

There is calmness at Daranak on weekdays.

. Balikbayan Rene Reyes of Victoria, Australia is stunned by the beauty of Daranak.

My souvenir shot

A baby waterfall

A black pig roaming at the parking lot

A rugged municipal jeep on standby for any eventuality. Daranak is managed by the Municipal Government of Tanay under Mayor Lito Tanjuatco..

Pretty lass Rachel has this to say: "I have been to Daranak many times before. My advice is for you to visit the place, not on a Saturday or Sunday, but on an ordinary day. It is not overcrowded."