Visita Iglesia (2023): Saint John Paul II Chapel (NAIA Terminal 3, Pasay City)

Tucked beside the stairs in NAIA Terminal 3 is a place that I make sure to visit before I board the airplane. That place with a small space is none other than the Saint John Paul II Chapel of NAIA Terminal 3.

The Airport Chapel was established as a tribute to Pope John Paul II. I am not sure why they chose to dedicate the chapel the Pope. My only guess is that since Pope John Paul II is the pope that has most number of visits to the Philippines then that means that he has the most number of times of arriving and departing NAIA of all the Popes. 

Despite its small size, many people visit this chapel even in the wee hours of the morning. Air travelers, airport personnel, airplane cabin crew — I saw them all dropping by this chapel to pray and ask the Lord for safe flight.

My usual prayer whenever I go to this chapel is to ask the Lord for my safe journey, and also the safety of my family and loved ones who I will leave behind as I sojourn in other places.

There are images of Jesus, Mary, and other saints in many areas of NAIA Terminal 3 where people can pray to the Lord or ask the saints’ intercession. I, however, prefer going to Airport Chapel because it is a quiet place to pray.

I am thankful to the airport management for giving a space for a chapel inside NAIA Terminal 3. It is spiritually soothing for those in the airport who wish to pray and converse with the Lord before they fly.

For those who are looking for a church to pray before boarding the airplane, I recommend Shrine of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus that is just across the street from NAIA Terminal 3. I also recommend Our Lady of the Airways Church, which is also in the vicinity of the airport.

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Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting seven or fourteen churches during Maundy Thursday. For each day, this Holy Week, I will feature one church as a sort of virtual Visita Iglesia.

Read about the churches that I visited this year

Palm Sunday: Immaculate Conception Church in Concepcion Uno, Marikina

Holy Monday: Santo Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati

Fig Tuesday: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel in SM Makati

Spy Wednesday: Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Santa Rosa, Laguna

Maundy Thursday: Saint John Paul II Chapel in NAIA Terminal 3

Good Friday: Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Manila

Black Saturday: Quiapo Church in Manila

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Visita Iglesia (2023): Santa Rosa de Lima Church (Santa Rosa, Laguna)

During the Second World War, when Japanese soldiers ravaged the land, residents of the lowlands of Laguna claimed that a lady in black and white appeared to them and told them to seek refuge in the town of Santa Rosa. They said that the lady told them that they will not go hungry because rice and fish are plentiful in the town of Santa Rosa. Upon reaching Santa Rosa, they realized that the lady who talked to them is Santa Rosa de Lima, who is the patron saint of the town. This story is just one of the miracles of Santa Rosa de Lima for the residents of the town named after her.

Santa Rosa de Lima Church is the oldest church in Santa Rosa City. In fact, the church’s history is intimately connected to the city's history because the church was established with the town.

Santa Rosa de Lima Church, just like in the typical old towns of the Philippines, is located at the center of the town beside the plaza and the government buildings. The church is now partially covered by Santa Rosa City’s Rizal Park.

The church started as a visita of Bucol, which is the old name of Santa Rosa when it was still a barrio of Biñan. The construction of the current church structure began in 1790 by the Spanish Dominican friars, who recruited Chinese laborers for the project. It is claimed that the old Chinese families in Santa Rosa descended from these Chinese laborers.

The construction was finished in 1792 and the Dominican friars selected Santa Rosa de Lima, also a Dominican, as the patroness of the new parish. Simultaneously, Barrio Bucol was also made a new municipio or municipality of Santa Rosa on January 18, 1792.

The first Mass honoring Santa Rosa de Lima in the new church was done on August 30, 1812 by Fray Francisco Favie, who was the first parish priest of the new town. August 30 is formerly the feast day for Santa Rosa de Lima.

I felt the centuries of history when I visited Santa Rosa de Lima Church. It is clear by just looking at its exterior that it is a very old church. The walls are of adobe blocks, which is similar to the ones used in the much older Saint Polycarp Church in Cabuyao. However, unlike the Cabuyao Church with a big bell tower, Santa Rosa de Lima Church has a smaller and less prominent bell tower.

I read that Santa Rosa de Lima Church has 8 majestic bells, with each of them having their own name.

The facade is made of gray adobe blocks, which is typical of the churches made during the Spanish period.

The facade features the four Evangelists and other saints. I think at the top is the image of the Virgin Mary.

In front of the church is the statue of Santa Rosa de Lima flanked by the statues of Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Martin de Porres, and two other saints.

The statues of Santa Rosa and other saints were erected to commemorate the visits of two ambassadors of Peru. The first Peruvian ambassador who visited was Victor Aritomi-Shinto in 1999 and the second one was Julio Cardenas in 2000.

The church’s door is simple, not as ornate as the ones in Manila Cathedral or San Agustin Church in Intramuros.

The church is cavernous and much spacious compared to Balibago Church.

What immediately caught my attention upon entrance to the church are the tombstones on the wall.

I consider tombstones on the wall as proof that a church is old. The practice of burial of the dead inside the church was a common practice during the Spanish Period. Such practice was discontinued during the American Period when the Americans instituted their health and sanitary laws that prohibited burial of the dead within the church premises.

The oldest tombstone that I saw is dated March 28, 1898.

It is Holy Week when I visited so all of the images, excluding the Crucified Jesus, are veiled. 

What’s interesting is that the parish kept the altar rails in front of the altar. The rails are used to separate the pews from the holiest part of the church.

Another purpose of the rails is this is where the faithful kneel to receive the Holy Communion. Note of the kneelers in front of the altar rails.

The painting of the four Evangelists on the ceiling reminded of the similar painting in St. Polycarp Church of Cabuyao.

On the side ceiling are the paintings of the apostles.

At the end of the ceiling is the image of Judas Iscariote. The word “Iscariote” was painted over but I can still read it. 

The image is definitely of the traitor because it is the only whose name is not preceded by an S., which is the abbreviation for the Spanish word "San" or saint in English. I guess this is the only church where Judas Iscariot was depicted positively.

The current paintings on the ceiling are not the original ones. It is said that the original paintings were great attractions from 1923 to 1960. The said paintings, which featured the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Coronation of the Apostles, San Roque, and other Biblical scenes and saints, are comparable to the ceiling paintings of Quiapo Church. The original paintings were removed because they were destroyed by old age and bats. The only original paintings that remained are those of King David and Saint Cecilia at the choir loft. I do hope that these remaining paintings will be preserved.

The old paintings were replaced by the modern giant electric fans!

At the side is the spiral staircase to the choir loft.

Sadly, the caretakers of the church did not permit to climb up the stairs to have good look of the choir loft and the remaining original paintings.

The church also has the baptistry that has a marble baptismal font, an image of Jesus holding a thurible, Santo Entierro, and the veiled replica of the Pieta.

My visit to Santa Rosa de Lima Church was just short. But in that brief time I felt the intensity of history that the church represents. The church of Santa Rosa de Lima is the witness to the birth of the town, its sufferings during wars, and its growth into a city that touts itself as the Lion City of the South.

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Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting seven or fourteen churches during Maundy Thursday. For each day, this Holy Week, I will feature one church as a sort of virtual Visita Iglesia.

Read about the churches that I visited this year

Palm Sunday: Immaculate Conception Church in Concepcion Uno, Marikina

Holy Monday: Santo Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati

Fig Tuesday: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel in SM Makati

Spy Wednesday: Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Santa Rosa, Laguna

Maundy Thursday: Saint John Paul II Chapel in NAIA Terminal 3

Good Friday: Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Manila

Black Saturday: Quiapo Church in Manila

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References:

1. A Brief History: The Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church in the Santa Rosa de Lima Parish

2. Santa Rosa City Laguna: Lion City of the South

3. City Government of Santa Rosa, Laguna

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Visita Iglesia (2023): Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel (SM Makati)

NOTE: Visit my post SM Makati Mass Schedule if you are looking for schedule of Holy Mass in Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel (also known as SM Makati Chapel).

SM Malls have good in-mall chapels. One of the best SM Mall chapels is the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord in SM Megamall. This chapel is the biggest in-mall chapel I have seen since its own adoration chapel and chapel offices, aside from the main chapel area.

Another SM chapel that I visited is Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel in SM Makati.

This SM chapel is also big  but still pales in comparison with the chapel in SM Megamall.

The chapel's altar is quite simple or I daresay empty save for the crucifix and the small tabernacle.

The SM Makati Chapel is just new because it was opened on December 8, 2022, which is just 4 months ago. December 8 is a special day because it is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. On December 10, the chapel was blessed by Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula.

I just discovered this chapel when I went to the payment center to pay for my Pag-IBIG housing loan. The payment center is at the front of the chapel.

Outside of the chapel are the satellite frontline offices of Makati City and the national government. I couldn't help but think that this set-up emulates the traditional town square in the Philippines where the church is just a few distance away from the government center.

For the schedule of Holy Mass in SM Makati Chapel, please read my blog post SM Makati Mass Schedule.

I believe that many mall operators set up chapels in their malls as part of their business plan. Catholic masses usually draw a large number of people. In fact, fast food restaurants cluster near churches because of the crowd every Sunday and holy days. Sadly, many of these mall operators think only of money and just set up "chapels" along corridors and even under stairs. These are places that are not suitable for the dignity and holiness of the Lord being celebrated every Mass. What's more saddening is that priests accept such areas even if they are not suitable.

I think that in-mall chapels like the one SM Makati and SM Megamall are very good examples of in-mall chapel. The chapel area is clearly separated from the main mall, which allowed for the solemn celebration of the Mass.

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Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting seven or fourteen churches during Maundy Thursday. For each day, this Holy Week, I will feature one church as a sort of virtual Visita Iglesia.

Read about the churches that I visited this year

Palm Sunday: Immaculate Conception Church in Concepcion Uno, Marikina

Holy Monday: Santo Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati

Fig Tuesday: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel in SM Makati

Spy Wednesday: Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Santa Rosa, Laguna

Maundy Thursday: Saint John Paul II Chapel in NAIA Terminal 3

Good Friday: Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Manila

Black Saturday: Quiapo Church in Manila

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References:

1. SM Makati Opens Chapel and Manila Cathedral’s Fr Regie is the Mission Station Chaplain in Dominus EST

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Visita Iglesia (2023): Santo Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel (Makati City)

NOTE: Are you looking for the mass schedule and the confession schedule in in Santo Niño de Paz Chapel? Please scroll down to the end of this blog post to see these information that you are looking for.

When I was still a "Makati Boy", I always passed by a chapel located beside Greenbelt enroute to MRT-Ayala. That chapel is Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel, more popularly known as Greenbelt Chapel.

Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel serves as a refuge for hundreds of employees working in Makati CBD. Many of them go to this chapel to connect with God before or after work. Even shoppers of the malls in the vicinity visit the chapel.

The altar is at the center of the chapel and the pews surround it. This peculiar arrangement is similar to that found in UP Chapel.

Located above the altar is the image of God the Father depicted as if He is blessing those who are present inside the chapel.

The establishment of Greenbelt Chapel is a story of faith and gratitude to our Lord. According to Architect JW Hermogenes, the chapel was built through the efforts of Fanny Del Rosario-Diploma.

Ms. Diploma was terminally ill because of cancer. The doctors already gave up on her and told her to go home to await her death. Ms. Diploma prayed earnestly for healing. The Lord heeded her request and saved her from cancer.

After her miraculous healing, Ms. Diploma and her husband Atty. Nordy Diploma decided to build a chapel as a symbol of their gratitude to the Lord. They noticed that Makati CBD, which was still largely undeveloped at that time, has no place of worship for Catholics. So the couple talked to the Ayalas and proposed that a chapel be built at the center of a lagoon. The Ayalas agreed on the condition that no permanent structure should be built and the area be vacated if the Ayalas demand it. The couple also approached Cardinal Sin, who was the archbishop of Manila at the time. They probably seek the guidance of the cardinal, particularly on the management of the proposed chapel and the assignment of priests.

Initially, the couple wished to build a St. Patrick Cathedral inspired chapel. But the requirements of the Ayalas made it not possible. Enrique Dizon and Topy Vasquez, the main architects for the project, designed a chapel with “steel-framed dome clad with staggered 6mm thick marine plywood”. The architects also designed the church to be easily moved by a helicopter just in case the Ayalas demand the removal of the chapel.

The Greenbelt Chapel was inaugurated on July 28, 1983 and was dedicated to Santo Niño de Paz. The chapel was initially placed under the jurisdiction of the Salesians, who also administer Don Bosco Church in Makati CBD. 

What I like with this chapel is that the Sacrament of Confession is available almost daily. This is thanks to the dedication of the chapel to St. Padre Pio, a saint who is known for his zeal in the confessional. Confession is available in the Greenbelt Chapel from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. I noticed that many people lined up for confession during my visit. I hope that more priests make confession truly available in their parishes.

Another thing that I like with Greenbelt Chapel is the donation that they send to impoverished parishes in the Philippines through their Love-a-Parish Program. Money donated by the people through this program were sent to various parishes from the northernmost parish in Batanes to the Southernmost in Tawi-Tawi. 

Who is Santo Niño de Paz

Santo Niño de Paz is not a well-known title of Santo Niño in the Philippines. The most popular title is Santo Niño de Cebu, who draws crowds to Cebu City during his feast every January. A quick Google search shows that only the Greenbelt Chapel is the Catholic place of worship that is dedicated to Santo Niño de Paz.

The only church that I found is in Mexico (the country in South America, not the town in Pampanga) that bears the name Santo Niño de la Paz. This Mexican church is also in the midst of commercial buildings. Another similarity is that both places were built through the efforts of women. Santo Niño de la Paz Church was built through the efforts of Mrs. Catalina Escandón.

Santo Niño de Paz means the Holy Child of peace. It is a perfect title for our Lord for he is the bringer of peace. I believe that He brought peace to Fanny Del Rosario-Diploma by healing her cancer.

Beautiful Scenery Outside of Greenbelt Chapel

Outside of the Greenbelt Chapel are noteworthy sculptures. The first one that I noticed is the herd of carabaos.

This is a typical scene in the farming towns in the countryside.

Another statue is that of children playing tug-of-war.

Their pose is weird since the rope was already cut. It is as if they are pulling an imaginary rope. I enjoyed looking at the kids’ expressions that make the statues alive.

I do not know who made these statues. Even Google does not have any idea.

Located nearby is the small bell tower of Greenbelt Chapel.

Those who are interested in more artworks can visit the Ayala Museum, which is located in Greenbelt Mall.

Mass Schedule in Santo Niño de Paz Chapel

Holy Mass

Monday to Friday: 7:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 6:00 PM

Saturday: 12:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM

Sunday: 7:15 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM

Confession Schedule in Santo Niño de Paz Chapel

Confession: Monday to Saturday - 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

I confessed in this church ones or twice and I can say that their schedule is very convenient for those people who have a hard time looking for the "free" time to confess. The line during my confession was short so I was able to receive the Sacrament of Confession after a few minutes of waiting.

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Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting seven or fourteen churches during Maundy Thursday. For each day, this Holy Week, I will feature one church as a sort of virtual Visita Iglesia.

Read about the churches that I visited this year

Palm Sunday: Immaculate Conception Church in Concepcion Uno, Marikina

Holy Monday: Santo Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati

Fig Tuesday: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel in SM Makati

Spy Wednesday: Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Santa Rosa, Laguna

Maundy Thursday: Saint John Paul II Chapel in NAIA Terminal 3

Good Friday: Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Manila

Black Saturday: Quiapo Church in Manila

Read my old blog post about Greenbelt Chapel.

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References:

1. History: A Bastion and Beacon of Faith for 35 Years in Santo Niño de Paz Chapel

2. The Greenbelt Chapel Story in Architrek

3. Santo Niño de la Paz in Gobierno de la Ciudad de Mexico

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Visita Iglesia (2023): Immaculate Conception Church (Concepcion Uno, Marikina)

Today is Palm Sunday and this means that finally entered the Holy Week or Semana Santa. This also means that I will my start the Virtual Visita Iglesia, which is my Holy Week tradition in this blog where I feature one church or chapel per day from Palm Sunday to Black Saturday. My virtual Visita Iglesia is based from the real Visita Iglesia that is usually done by visiting 7 churches or more on Maundy Thursday. The first church to be featured in this year's Virtual Visita Iglesia is the Immaculate Conception Church in Concepcion, Marikina.

A visit to my parents in Marikina means a visit to the Immaculate Conception Church in Barangay Concepcion Uno. This church has been a part of my mother's life. I believe that this is where she was baptized and had her first communion. Even in death this church played a role for this is where we brought our beloved grandparents, uncles, and aunts for their final blessings.

The Immaculate Conception Parish was once a part of the oldest and primary parish of Marikina, which is Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish.

The Immaculate Conception Church began as a chapel in 1949 in Barrio Bayan-Bayanan through the guidance of Father Jose Mirasol, who was the chaplain of Boys' Town in the nearby Barrio Parang. The chapel became dilapidated after 3 years so the people built a new chapel, the initial funds of which was provided by Manila Archbishop Rufino Cardinal Santos. The construction of the chapel was finished in 1957 and was blessed by Cardinal Santos on December 7 of that year. It was just a day before the feast of Immaculate Conception.

Adoration Chapel

The name of Barrio Bayan-Bayanan was changed to Concepcion in 1956 by virtue of Republic Act 1514. I guess the name change is due to the rising prominence of the chapel that is dedicated to the Immaculate Mother. Immaculate Conception Parish was established in 1958.

The current church structure is relatively new compared to Our Lady of the Abandoned Church. The cornerstone of the church was laid on the feast day of Immaculate Conception in 1969. The church was finished the next year and was blessed by Cardinal Santos on October 18.

The church's facade is quite simple. It only has the lines formed by the adobe blocks and a stained-glass window featuring their patroness: Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

The church has a bell tower that is also adorned by the image of Our Lady on top.

It was a Friday afternoon when I visited the church so the place is not that crowded. The church is almost empty, actually.

The church was prepped for a wedding. Good thing that I came early or I will not be able to take good photos of the church's interior, particularly its altar.

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is featured prominently at the altar.

Another historical tidbit that I found is that Concepcion Church is at the north end of E. Santos and E. Rodriguez Streets, which was collectively known as Paliparan. These two roads were the runway of the "paliparan" or airfield that the Americans built before World War 2. The runway, which was used by civilian aircrafts, was taken over by the Japanese during the War.

Parallel to the E. Santos and E. Rodriguez is the straight road known as Daangbakal. The name hailed to its past as the tracks of the Marikina Line or the Rosario-Montalban Line. Daangbakal runs straight to Montalban. 

I am quite familiar with Daangbakal because I walked a portion of it from my high school to my relatives in San Mateo. The train tracks are now long gone and only cars and tricycles use this long street. 

The Marikina Line was built by the Manila Railroad Company starting in 1906, then formally opened in 1934, and abandoned in 1936. The Marikina Railway Depot is now the Marikina Elementary School. This historical tidbit helped me understand why there are some old train engines displayed in Marikina, one of which is located at the Riverbanks Mall.

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception

The crescent at the foor of the Virgin Mary is the thing that comes to my mind whenever I hear "Immaculate Conception". The crescent under her feet is one of the attributes of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. I interpret it to mean that Islam will be at the feet of Our Mother --- that Mama Mary will convert many Muslims and turn them into worshippers of Jesus Christ.

Pope Pius IX declared the dogma of the Virgin Mary's immaculate conception in 1854 through the bull Ineffabilis Deus.

The Church believes that the Virgin Mary is free of the stain of Original Sin since her conception. This privilege enabled her to bear the Son of God in her womb.

Four years later after the declaration of the dogma, the Virgin Mary appeared 4 years later in Lourdes and said "I am the Immaculate Conception."

Prayer to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Most holy Virgin, who wast pleasing to the Lord and became His Mother, immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look kindly on the wretched who implore thy powerful patronage. The wicked serpent, against whom was hurled the first curse, continues fiercely to attack and ensnare the unhappy children of Eve. Do thou, then, O Blessed Mother, our queen and advocate, who from the first instant of thy conception didst crush the head of the enemy, receive the prayers which, united with thee in our single heart, we implore thee to present at the throne of God, that we may never fall into the snares which are laid out for us, and may all arrive at the port of salvation; and, in so many dangers, may the Church and Christian society sing once again the hymn of deliverance and of victory and of peace. Amen.

Mass Schedule in Immaculate Conception Church

Here are the schedule of the Holy Mass in Immaculate Conception Church in Marikina City:

Monday to Saturday: 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 6:00 PM

Sunday: 5:00 AM, 6:15 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:45 AM, 10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 4:15 PM, 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM, 8:00 PM

First Friday of the month: 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 12:00 Noon, 6:00 PM

Schedule of Baptism

Tuesday to Saturday: By appointment

Sunday: 11:00 AM

Schedule of Confirmation: By appointment

Schedule of Confession: Monday to Saturday 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM

Sick Call: By appointment or anytime if emergency case

Schedule of Wedding: Tuesday to Saturday - 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM

Funeral Blessing: By appointment or Any day at 1:30 PM

Funeral Mass: By appointment or any day at 2:00 PM

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Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting seven or fourteen churches during Maundy Thursday. For each day, this Holy Week, I will feature one church as a sort of virtual Visita Iglesia.

Read about the churches that I visited this year

Palm Sunday: Immaculate Conception Church in Concepcion Uno, Marikina

Holy Monday: Santo Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati

Fig Tuesday: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel in SM Makati

Spy Wednesday: Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Santa Rosa, Laguna

Maundy Thursday: Saint John Paul II Chapel in NAIA Terminal 3

Good Friday: Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Manila

Black Saturday: Quiapo Church in Manila

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References:

1. Memories of Old Manila & Beyond | Marikina River (1934)

2. The Immaculate Conception  of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Saint Boniface Catholic Church

3. Paliparan, The Long Stretch of a Road in Marikina Life

4. A Prayer in Honor of the Immaculate Conception in EWTN

5. Immaculate Concepcion Parish - Mini Task in Theology by Janiene Origen

6. Republic Act No. 1514 in Supreme Court E-Library

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