Travel | Leyte: One of the Gems of Eastern Visayas Part 2

Part 2.

Inside the Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum

The following day, we headed to the Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum, the fourth stop.

Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum

One of the most prominent families in the country is the Romualdez family of the Eastern Visayas, wherein the roots of the former first lady, Imelda Marcos, is identified. This place was once the residence of the first family. This place is now a museum managed by the Presidential Commission on Good Governance. It has an entrance fee and additional fee to allow visitors to capture some spots in the Shrine, P230.00 for the two of us. The place is not only a residence but also a place where a Sto Nino is placed and its festivity is celebrated every June. It is really among the places to visit in the city and you will understand part of the family’s history and richness. It is like a palace. It is very grand and I can imagine the glory days of the place - a contrary of what it is now, dilapidating in some areas resolved by restoration efforts.

Fifth view, the mass grave of typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).

One of the Mass Grave Sites in Leyte

It is also a very heart-wrenching event in the Eastern Visayas when a super typhoon struck. It left many places in total devastation and death of thousands. This place is only one of the commemorative mass grave in the province and I hope their souls are in peace now.

Sixth spot, the Palo Cathedral.

Palo Cathedral

This cathedral has been erected since 1596 and has gone through a lot. It was also damaged by the typhoon Haiyan. After some efforts of rehabilitation, Pope Francis visited the cathedral briefly in 2015. The cathedral is so vibrant with its color and design.

Then, seventh spot, to Baybay City, Lintaon Peak and 16,000 blossoms.

From Tacloban City to Lintaon Peak, Baybay City, is approximately 2.5 hours ride. There are options like bus or van when doing a commute. For a van ride, we paid P150.00 per pax - Tacloban City to Baybay City. From Baybay City terminal to Lintaon peak, P50.00 per pax by a motorcycle ride. At the top, you will see the overlooking view of the city and the 16,000 blossoms lit at night time. The day of our visit was very windy and rainy. But it was fine, it was an experience to be there. :-)

Eighth spot is back in Tacloban City, the Sto. Nino Church.

Sto. Nino Church Tacloban

After a day in Baybay City, an evening in Tacloban is my closing trip at the Sto. Nino Church. The Sto. Nino in this church is known “El Kapitan”. The structure is iconic with its belfry lit at night. It has beautiful mural designs inside, too; it is a very lovely church and you will feel the holy presence.

You may have noticed, I have few spots visited, not because everything we did is visiting tourist spots, but there are errands my friend attended to, and I accompanied him. :-p

Anyways, I have enjoyed the sites to see in Tacloban City and some nearby municipalities. I hope you guys also enjoyed it too.

Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com. Feel free to share this to your friends and let’s spread the beauty of Leyte!

Food? Will be sharing it to another post. For sure, you will love it! :-)

Travel | Visita Iglesia in Metro Manila

Spacious Roads during Lent in Metro Manila

The lenten season in Metro Manila isn't bad at all!

The streets are almost empty that running public utility vehicles can freely own the road and no to less traffic. An hour ride will be cut to 20 minutes! Isn't that amazing?!! Of course, it is! Anyone would want that to be forever, but nothing is forever! Therefore, it is one of the best times to tour around Metro Manila (if transportation is your concern - one of the worst in the world), but most establishments are closed! Still, it is a good time to drive along or even do commute.

Anyways, yes, it is a fine, sunny weather out there. The goal is to visit 7 churches and say some prayers with my friend, Rob, who is a bit excited to experience the holy week in Manila. Brought some water and isotonic drink to fight the heat. Alright, we are then ready for the day, commuting!

The itinerary includes visiting churches like the Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral Basilica, Binondo Church, Malate Church, Baclaran Church and Sta. Rita Church. We completed those for four (4) hours commuting and walking.

Front of the Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene

First, we went to the Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene. From where my friend is staying, Z hostel, towards Quiapo Church (Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene), it took us a walk and rode jeepney twice. It was insanely a wrong move, I guess, because the place is horrifyingly untidy. But, it is not for the place that we visited, it is for the church visit and prayers. We were not able to get inside the church though because there were a lot of churchgoers. We settled outside the basilica and made some prayers.

San Agustin Church - A World Heritage Site

Next destination is the San Agustin Church.

It is located at the Intramuros or the Walled City of Manila. We walked from Quiapo to San Agustin Church as jeepneys were impossible to pass by Quiapo because of the church activities and jeepneys are rerouted. Almost a kilometer walk, we reached the church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church was established by the Agustinians and the church was erected 446 years ago. The church was well preserved even it had been witness to war and earthquake. We settled for some moments to pray and moved to another church.

We headed next to the Manila Cathedral Basilica or the Immaculate Conception Church walking. For me, as I told Rob, it is the grandest but not the biggest among the churches we will visit. We settlement for some time to pray and then we took our lunch to a fast food nearby.

After finishing our meal, the sun is still high and bright. We still have four churches to visit.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Church - Binondo Church

From Manila Cathedral Basilica to Binondo Church (San Lorenzo Ruiz Church), we again walked. It is still almost a kilometer walk. It is such a humble church. We stopped there for some moment and offered prayers.

Fourth Church then Off to the Next

Malate Church

Then, our next destination is to Malate Church which is located at Malate, along Mabini Street and now not by walking; we rode a jeepney. From Binondo to Malate, it took us around 10 minutes to get there. (I know, it is fast...) We again stopped by and offered some prayers.

Baclaran Church - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

Then, from Malate Church, we proceeded to Baclaran Church. We rode a jeepney and it stopped nearby Baclaran Church. I told Rob that it is the biggest that we visited. It has a long aisle and can accommodate a lot of churchgoers. We again stopped for some moment and offered prayers. We also watched and heard some of the seven (7) last words being enacted.

Sta. Rita Church

Just a half a kilometer is another church, so we just walked. A pretty tiny church named Sta. Rita de Cassia Church is there. I again told Rob that it is the smallest church we visited and there are chapels bigger than it. We stopped for some moment and offered prayers.

Ended the Day at a Cafe

We completed our goal of seven (7) churches in four hours. We also offered our prayers. We then ended our day staying to a nearby hotel with a coffee shop to cool ourselves from a very hot day. Oh yeah! It was a tiring experience, yet I enjoyed it and hope my friend enjoyed it too!

I hope you will share your experience too! Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.