Konted's Make My Day 2: tplex

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

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Spending The Holy Week In Baguio City

It was dawn when we were cruising the North Luzon Expressway on our way to Baguio City for the Holy Week. Sunlight was beginning to appear in the sky. And everyone took notice of the rose pink light of dawn. In a little while, majestic Mount Arayat, where goddess Maria Sinukuan reigns supreme, loomed on the horizon. The vast open fields, with mist making the grass greener, were a feast for the eyes.

Sans traffic, sans trouble, we made it to the City of Pines a little past 8 a.m. and proceeded right away to a cozy restaurant near Brent Road for our breakfast. Walking past a parked vintage VW, we took the table nearest the bar. The place obviously had a retro theme. Bar stools, black booth seats, posters of a bygone era and a vintage jukebox could be seen. We tried Pancake Sandwich and found it to be satisfying. Looking through the clear glass panel, volume of vehicles started increasing, what with the arrival of more visitors from the lowlands.

Baguio City is a favorite destination of tourists or travelers wanting to escape the scorching heat in the lowlands and, at the same time, spend some time visiting churches during the Holy Week. Most visited places during Semana Santa are the Lourdes Grotto Chapel, Baguio Cathedral, Saint Joseph Church near Wright Park, Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel, St. Vincent Church and Lourdes Church on Kisad Road. Of course, places like Burnham Park, Mines View Park, Wright Park, Strawberry Fields in La Trinidad, Session Road and Camp John Hay are included in the not-to-be-missed places to visit. Almost all hotels and inns are fully booked and stores and restaurants are raking in money.

It was 1:30 pm of Maundy Thursday when we left the city proper and started descending Marcos Highway. There was a drizzle as thick fog enveloped the wide highway, prompting drivers to switch on their yellow lights. After several minutes, after crossing the long bridge, the light rain stopped and the fog disappeared. The sun was visible as we continued our travel down the highway. At the Rosario Junction, northbound vehicles were at a standstill. From Rosario junction, it extended to the town of Pozzorubio in Pangasinan. As the southbound lane traffic was moving, it was easy travel for us. We turned right at the main road near the Caltex station in Pozzorubio for the last leg of our 2016 Holy Week travel to the North-- a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag.

- Konted

Our bantam service vehicle making it to the top without trouble and with plenty to spare.

Kennon Road as seen from the Viewpoint

50's Diner at Leonard Wood Road near Brent Road in Baguio City

Single pedestal stools at the bar

Black booth seats that match the black and white tiles

Vintage jukebox

Pancake

Pancake Sandwich

Omelette

Corned beef with fired egg

Satisfied diners

The Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel on Brent Road

Complete silence is observed at all times inside the chapel. The Pink Sisters spend most of their time praying and meditating. Anyone may write his prayer intentions on a piece of paper which he drops at a designated box. The Pink Sisters then do the praying.

Statues of Saint Arnold Janssen, founder of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters (Pink Sisters) and another Society of Divine Word (SVD) missionary St. Joseph Freinademetz.

In front of the convent

Previously owned by the rich Laperal family, the Laperal White House was built in the early 1900s. Paranormal sightings or apparitions have been reported.

The Laperal White House is located along Leonard Wood Road near Teachers Camp. The Japanese Imperial Army forcibly occupied it during WWII. Tortures, beheadings and other atrocities were common occurrences during the war. The place is now owned by Chinese Filipino businessman Lucio Tan.