Feels Like the Netherlands: Our Wedding Anniversary Date in Crosswinds Tagaytay

Tagaytay — the city where me and My Beloved Wife has fond memories. This is the city, aside from Metro Manila and our hometown in Laguna, where we had our dates. Picnic Grove, Palace in the Sky, and many restaurants — we visited them all as a couple.

So, for our wedding anniversary, we went up to Tagaytay again for a date but this time we went to Crosswind Tagaytay.

Passing through the Gates of Crosswinds

I was actually shocked when we reached the entrance to Crosswinds Tagaytay as we are being asked to pay 500 pesos for the entrance fee!

I didn’t expect that Crosswinds Tagaytay is upfront when it comes money. I realize the reason why when a Google search revealed that this place is owned by Villar.

I didn’t let my shock ruin our date so enter the gates we go!

We were welcomed with pine trees and the beauty of nature that we couldn’t experience in our place in Laguna.

A few minutes drive later and we reached the place that “transported” somewhere in Netherlands.

There is a clock tower and even a windmill to complete the Netherlandish look.

Perfect for Instagram or FB DP.

There’s no other interesting spot in Crosswinds Tagaytay other than the view of the flatlands of Laguna and Batangas. Unfortunately, Taal Volcano is not visible from Crosswinds Tagaytay.

Dinner Date in Dear Joe

Of the few restaurants in Crosswinds Tagaytay, we chose to dine in Dear Joe.

The interior of this restaurant is stunning! It made me feel like being inside an old-style hacienda.

We chose to eat inside the restaurant. Although there is an option to dine al fresco.

Unlike other restaurants, Dear Joe requires customers to line up to place their order because they are short on staff and pay for their meal upfront maybe to prevent eat-and-run.

At least the long line gave me a good view of Dear Joe’s ice cream.

We ordered chips and roast beef, pizza, and pasta.

The food was great but quite expensive. The iced coffee, on the other hand, is so-so.

We had a great wedding anniversary celebration in Crosswinds Tagaytay. What made it special is that this trip just for the two of us since the kids let us go on our own so that we can enjoy each other (as per my daughter!).

Well I guess the Netherlandish view of Crosswinds Tagaytay added to that great experience.

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The Historical Laguna (Part 3): Exploring the Heritage Square of Santa Rosa

The City of Santa Rosa was recently the subject of fury of Philippine heritage enthusiasts after it was reported that the city’s oldest heritage house is being demolished to make way for a branch of McDonalds. The “news” went viral because the owner of that McDo branch is the actor and Santa Rosa resident Alden Richards. The issue eventually died down when it was cleared that what was being demolished is not the heritage house but another structure in its vicinity.

The rage of heritage enthusiasts is understandable since the old poblacion of Santa Rosa is the location of many heritage houses and historical sites. The old poblacion is a valuable heritage area that the city government declared the place as a “heritage square”.

The heritage square of Santa Rosa is not similar to Vigan or even Intramuros as many of Spanish Era houses were replaced by newer structures. The feel of “old” in the old poblacion is somewhat lost as the place is a hodgepodge of the modern and the historical.

However, as a Laguna resident, I still consider it fortunate that I can explore these remaining heritage and historical sites of Santa Rosa:

Rizal Monument and Plaza

Santa Rosa City's Rizal Monument with the tallest pylon in the Philippines.

Rizal’s monument is the most prominent historical site in the heritage square. The monument features the statue of Jose Rizal in a pose similar to that in Luneta and two pylons, which is claimed by the city government as the tallest in the whole country.

What actually caught my attention in the city plaza is the monument honoring the Santa Rosans who fought during various wars in the Philippines.

I think that this monument is common in the Philippines because I saw similar monument in Davao del Norte. The kampilan, which is the sword displayed on the monument, symbolizes Filipino bravery that were shown in the many wars that was fought in this country.

Unfortunately, the plaque that should list the names of Santa Rosa heroes is blank. It seems that the city government couldn’t find any Santa Rosan whose name could be listed in the monument. 

There are also plaques Philippine - American War, and World War II when the Japanese invaders occupied the country.

My favorite passage from these commemorative plaques is the one from the Philippine - American War about the Balangiga massacre:

Prayers for the eternal repose of souls of the unknown innocent unarmed civilian victim of Balangiga, Samar battle aftermath of 1901.

Never in the history of human conflict among civilized nations did total slaughtering of all men, women and chidren over ten years of age done in the name of VENGEANCE.

The USA still has to apologize to Filipinos for the murder that they did in Balangiga and the whole Philippines. The Americans, despite claiming to be civilized people, committed the most barbaric acts during that time.

Heritage Houses of Santa Rosa

Located in the vicinity of Rizal Park are the different heritage houses and buildings of the old Santa Rosa. One is the Gusaling Batasan, which I think was just restored since its “adobe walls” were somewhat new.

Just across Rizal Park is the heritage house occupied by Maybank.

It is good to see that the bank just adapted to the heritage structure and did not make drastic changes to the heritage building.

A few steps from Maybank is the Gusaling Museo, which houses the City Library and the Santa Rosa City Museum. It was the former municipal hall and office of the mayor from 1828 to 1954.

This building was erected in 1828 during the term of Gobernadorcillo Bernardo Zavalla in the Spanish Colonial period. It was then reconstructed in 1954, well after the Second World War. There is even a historical marker on the building that recorded the first election during the “Bagong Lipunan” of President Marcos, Sr. in 1980. Names of some of the political clans of Santa Rosa City are listed in that marker.

Located beside the Gusaling Museo is what I think is the old cuartel of the Guardia Civil.

Monument for Basilio Gonzalez

Another interesting historical spot in Santa Rosa’s Heritage Square is the monument for Col. Basilio Barroma Gonzalez that is located in front of Mercury Drug.

I will talk about this neglected monument of less known revolutionary hero of Santa Rosa in the next blog post.

The establishment of the Heritage Square in the poblacion of Santa Rosa shows that the city government knows the value of history and heritage in a centuries old town. However, I think that Santa Rosans has to do more to ensure the preservation heritage sites since these they gave local history a “face” that cannot be replicated by any photograph.

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Read my other blog posts for the Experiencing and Historical Laguna series:

The Historical Laguna (Part 1): Rizal Monument and a Peek at the History of Biñan

The Historical Laguna (Part 2): The Story of the Iconic Arch of Santa Rosa

Experiencing Laguna (Part 1): Our Overnight Stay in La Vista Pansol Resort

Experiencing Laguna (Part 2): A Healthy and Relaxing Dip in Laguna Hot Spring Resort (Pansol, Calamba)

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The Historical Laguna (Part 2): The Story of the Iconic Arch of Santa Rosa

“Bandits infested the roads and rivers, ravaged fields and farms, pillaged churches and set light to houses in an orgy of murder, robbery and rapine in which there was ‘hardly and evil deed that their rash boldness [did] not perform”

This was how the late 19th Century Philippines was described by many commentators and historians. Filipinos at that time lived in constant danger and with great fear against lawless elements that prowl the areas outside of the town centers. Aside from the threat of tulisanes or bandits, the Philippines was in turmoil that time due to the looming revolt of the Katipuneros. 

La Laguna is not exempted to that state of affairs since some of the villages around Laguna de Bay were considered as “ladrone towns” or villages inhabited by ladrones or tulisanes. The neighboring province of Cavite is known as a bandit refuge that’s why the colonial government established the Cuartel de Santo Domingo in the area that is now occupied by the training compound of the PNP Special Action Force. The cuartel served as the barracks of the guardia civil and forward base against the bandits from Cavite.

I’ve been harping on the lawlessness of 19th Century Philippines when I discovered that the Santa Rosa Arch is not just a simple welcome arch but was originally called as “Bantayang Bato”. It was a structure that was meant to protect Santa Rosa from lawless elements. 

The Arch of Santa Rosa City.

The Santa Rosa Arch is my favorite spot in the poblacion of Santa Rosa, Laguna. The arch gives the Parisian “Arc de Triomphe” vibe that are contrasted by Philippine jeepneys passing through it.

The arch is simply adorned with images of angels blowing their trumpets. At its base are lions, which announce Santa Rosa’s moniker as the “Lion City of the South”. The current form of the arch is a far cry from its old form as seen in old photos.

Evolution of Sta. Rosa Arch as displayed in the Sta. Rosa City Museum.

According to Arch. Mario C. Zavalla and Ms. Gemalin Batino-Diaz, the original structure of Bantayang Bato was built in 1817 or 5 years after the Santa Rosa de Lima Church was constructed. It was placed beside the river to serve as a lookout and a garita or checkpoint against tulisanes navigating through the Silang - Santa Rosa River. The Cavite town of Silang was a notorious haven of bandits during the Spanish Period. Bandits who wished to attack Santa Rosa possibly used the river to travel from Silang. This is the reason why Cuartel de Santo Domingo is at the Santa Rosa - Silang boundary and beside the Silang - Santa Rosa River. 

The arch was reconstructed in 1860 to make it wider for easy page. A "small treble bell" was placed in the next year to make it easier to raise alarm when tulisanes were sighted from the watch tower. The original arch was a simple one tier-masonry style, very much like the current form of Santa Rosa Arch.

The Santa Rosa Arch was refurbished in 1925. It was then dismantled and reconstructed on its current location in 1931 due to the increasing vehicular traffic. Yep, you read that right! A 71-year-old historical structure that protected the town from bandits were demolished and relocated just to make way for cars and jeeps. 

Good thing that the current Santa Rosa Arch was not demolished since it is in the way of vehicular traffic. The city government just made additional lanes around it. I guess they should have done that with Bantayang Bato.

The lion at the foot of Santa Rosa Arch.

I thought that Santa Rosa City just recently used the lion as its symbol. However, Zavalla and Batino-Diaz claimed that the lion as a symbol was already in use by Santa Rosa since the Spanish times. They said that the lion statues were already present at the foot of the Bantayang Bato. The lion statues were also displayed at government buildings such as the casa tribunal and the hacienda of the city mayor. Thus, the symbol of the lion is very apt for Santa Rosa City.

I will never see the Arch of Santa Rosa the same way again. Instead of being awed by it, the arch reminds of the destruction wrought in the name of progress. Laguna has plenty of historical sites and heritage buildings that were demolished for the sake of economy and business to the point that the towns of Laguna transformed into modern cities that lost their soul. By discarding their past, these Laguna towns just became poor copies of Makati CBD or BGC.

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Read my other blog posts for the Experiencing and Historical Laguna series:

The Historical Laguna (Part 1): Rizal Monument and a Peek at the History of Biñan

Experiencing Laguna (Part 1): Our Overnight Stay in La Vista Pansol Resort

Experiencing Laguna (Part 2): A Healthy and Relaxing Dip in Laguna Hot Spring Resort (Pansol, Calamba)

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References:

1. "Ang Bantayan" and the Four Lions by Mario C. Zavalla and Gemalin Batino-Diaz in Santa Rosa Heritage magazine (January 202 edition) retrieved from Santa Rosa Memoirs FB Page

2. Gemalin Batino FB page

3. LaChambre's Preparation for the Silang Offensive from Cuartel de Santo Domingo during the 1897 Philippine Revolution by Shine Relle Nuñez retrieved from Research Gate

4. Bandits, Banditry and Landscapes of Crime in the Nineteenth-Century Philippines by Greg Bankoff retrieved from Cambridge University Press

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Experiencing Laguna (Part 2): A Healthy and Relaxing Dip in Laguna Hot Spring Resort (Pansol, Calamba)

One day, during one of her rare visits to our house, the Sister-in-Law said that we should go to a pool and swim. We accommodated her request, even though it was sudden and unplanned, by bringing her to Pansol, Calamba. We particularly brought her to Laguna Hot Spring Resort.

We chose Laguna Hot Spring Resort because they allowed guests to bring their own food. As a typical Filipino family, we brought our own rice and ulam, and also some snacks to the resort.

I was surprised the moment I saw the swimming pool of Laguna Hot Spring Resort. It was as dark as the polluted waters of Manila Bay.

The dark pool is not dark because of the water but because its bottom is natural soil with volcanic rocks. This is proof that their hot spring is all natural.

Unlike La Vista Pansol Resort, which is another hot spring resort nearby, Laguna Hot Spring Resort has only 1 swimming pool. It only has simple amenities and has no slides or other gimmicks. It is just a simple pool of warm water springing out of the soil underneath.

We actually enjoyed dipping in the warm waters of Laguna Hot Spring Resort. The kids loved floating in the pool in their floating rings. We, the adults, loved relaxing in the hot spring. The warm water eased the tensions of our muscles and reduced the stress in our body.

Additionally, the hot spring is inhabited by small fishes that nibble the dead skin off our feet. They cleaned our feet, which was a “tickling” experience. The fish gave me a jolt the first time they nibbled my foot.

All in all, our day tour in Laguna Hot Spring was an enjoyable experience. We relaxed and had good family bonding. The only negative comment is that the place can be crowded, especially during weekends and holidays.

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Read my other blog posts for the Experiencing and Historical Laguna series:

The Historical Laguna (Part 1): Rizal Monument and a Peek at the History of Biñan

Experiencing Laguna (Part 1): Our Overnight Stay in La Vista Pansol Resort

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Summer is here! Are you looking for a place to swim? Read about my other blog posts about resorts and beaches that I visited previously:

1. Catadman Lodge in Danao City (Cebu)

2. San Francisco Bay Lodge in Camotes Islands (Cebu)

3. Camotes Islands beach resorts (Cebu)

4. Lake Danao in Camotes Islands (Cebu)

5. Honda Bay (Palawan) Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

6. Microtel Hotel in Puerto Princesa (Palawan)

7. Puerto Princesa Underground River (Palawan): Part 1 -  Part 2 - Part 3

8. Canyon Cove Resort in Nasugbu (Batangas)

9. Laiya Aplaya in San Juan (Batangas)

10. Splash Island in Biñan (Laguna)

11. Woodside Farm and Water Park in Cabuyao (Laguna)

12. Batis Aramin Hotel and Resort in Lucban (Quezon)

13. Punta de Fabian in Baras (Rizal)

14. By the Sea Resort (Olongapo City)

15. Sabang Beach Resort in Bulan (Sorsogon)

16. Bang Saen Beach (Thailand)

17. Koh Samet Island (Thailand) - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

18. La Vista Pansol Resort in Calamba, Laguna

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Experiencing Laguna (Part 1): Our Overnight Stay in La Vista Pansol Resort

Laguna is an unfortunate place for my kids who enjoy swimming. This landlocked province has no beach or access to the open sea. It only has access to Laguna de Bay, which is a terrible place to dip in. Fortunately, Laguna has another option and that is the hot springs of Calamba and Los Baños.

So last month, when the kids were clamoring for a swim, we brought them to Calamba and booked an overnight stay at La Vista Pansol.

It was not our first time swimming in the hot springs of Calamba since we already visited Laguna Hot Springs twice. What prompted me to choose La Vista Pansol this time is their swimming pool for kids.

Kiddie Pool of La Vista Pansol Resort

The children’s swimming pool has a “fort” in the center that has plenty of slides. My kids truly enjoyed it.

Aside from the kiddie slides, La Vista Pansol also has slides for adults. These slides reminded me of Woodside Farm and Water Park in Cabuyao.

Giant slides! Ang paboritong slide ni Panganay.

It was Friday when we had our overnight so there were very few guests during our stay. Add to the fact that the swimming pools are big then we did not feel crowded during our whole stay. Our photos clearly show na walang tao. I was able to take photos as if there are no guest in this resort.

The kids truly enjoyed the kiddie slides and pool but my eldest son, who is a daredevil, preferred the adult slide. I tried it twice and I might not try it again in the future since it made me nervous.

My kids usually have irritations and itchy skin after dipping into a swimming pool because of the high chlorine content of the water. It was not so in La Vista Pansol since the water is sourced directly from the hot spring. I actually saw pipes pouring hot water directly into the swimming pool. We even used the warm water to massage our backs.

My parents’ favorite area is the hot spring pool. They spent a long time relaxing their body in the warm waters of natural spring.

An Impromptu Visit to a Zoo

The one amenity that other resorts in Pansol don’t have is the Laguna Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center that hosts a variety of birds and other animals. And the good thing about it is that we didn't pay any additional fee to enter it.

My kids’ favorite is this parrot that talked back to them.

That parrot’s favorite word is “pangit” (ugly) and it shamelessly shouted it to us much to the laughter of our little ones. Nakakatuwa makitang tumawa ang mga bata and it is such a good time for us.

We also saw other birds, a giant tortoise, sheep, goats, snakes, and monkeys.

It was fun seeing the kids getting excited with the animals. The side trip to the Wildlife Rescue Center is definitely worth the time.

Some Negative Comments on La Vista Pansol Resort

I think that the current La Vista Pansol is but a shadow of its former glory. This resort is already run down due to lack of maintenance. The room that we had is “ok” but can be improved.

The gate of La Vista Pansol Resort with broken signage.

There were plenty of things that were lacking such as the water kettle. I even had to go back and forth between the room and resort lobby just to get hot water for our morning coffee.

Rooms in La Vista Pansol Resort

Another thing that was lacking was breakfast. They didn’t have complimentary breakfast nor did they sell any decent meal. What they only have are cup noodles and other sari-sari store items in their small store, which are pricier than normal.

La Vista Pansol’s store also has limited items for sale so we had to go out and walk a long distance to another store with touristy prices.

The resort is also far away from the highway and we had to hire a tricycle to bring us there. This is so unlike Laguna Hot Springs that is just walking distance from the highway.

How Much is Our La Vista Pansol Experience

Our group is composed of 7 persons, namely, me, My Beloved Wife, our 3 kids, and my parents.

The resort charged us a total of 4,160. However, due to the senior citizen discount and the Valentines Month promo for married couples, we only paid 3,320 pesos for the overnight stay. Our payment already covered our room and the swimming pools, excluding the wave pool.

I think that the amount that we paid is reasonable since our kids enjoyed their swim without the crowd. We are lucky that we went to La Vista Pansol during the weekday.

Room, cottage, and other rates can be viewed in the official FB page of La Vista Pansol Resort.

Our Overall Experience in La Vista Pansol

Despite the negative comments that I had with La Vista Pansol Resort, I still give this place a very good rating since our kids enjoy the pool because of their many slides and various amenities. I hope that they improve the place so that we can have a better experience when we visit next time.

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Read my other blog posts for the Experiencing and Historical Laguna series:

The Historical Laguna (Part 1): Rizal Monument and a Peek at the History of Biñan

Experiencing Laguna (Part 2): A Healthy and Relaxing Dip in Laguna Hot Spring Resort (Pansol, Calamba)

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Summer is here! Are you looking for a place to swim? Read about my other blog posts about resorts and beaches that I visited previously:

1. Catadman Lodge in Danao City (Cebu)

2. San Francisco Bay Lodge in Camotes Islands (Cebu)

3. Camotes Islands beach resorts (Cebu)

4. Lake Danao in Camotes Islands (Cebu)

5. Honda Bay (Palawan) Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

6. Microtel Hotel in Puerto Princesa (Palawan)

7. Puerto Princesa Underground River (Palawan): Part 1 -  Part 2 - Part 3

8. Canyon Cove Resort in Nasugbu (Batangas)

9. Laiya Aplaya in San Juan (Batangas)

10. Splash Island in Biñan (Laguna)

11. Woodside Farm and Water Park in Cabuyao (Laguna)

12. Batis Aramin Hotel and Resort in Lucban (Quezon)

13. Punta de Fabian in Baras (Rizal)

14. By the Sea Resort (Olongapo City)

15. Sabang Beach Resort in Bulan (Sorsogon)

16. Bang Saen Beach (Thailand)

17. Koh Samet Island (Thailand) - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

18. Laguna Hot Spring Resort in Pansol, Calamba

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SM Makati Chapel Mass Schedule

The chapel in SM Makati is the church that I always visit whenever I am in the area of SM Makati or Glorietta. This chapel is conveniently located near the MRT-Ayala Station that’s why it was very easy for me to visit this church whenever I am in the area.

The convenient location is one of the reasons why many people pass by this chapel. Many of the churchgoers are mall employees and other employees in Makati Central Business District 9CBD0, who usually commute via the MRT or the buses in Ayala One.

SM Makati Chapel is officially known as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel since it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. I posted about this chapel during the Holy Week for the virtual Visita Iglesia 2023.

If you wish to end a Holy Mass in SM Makati Chapel, here is the schedule of the masses:

(Source: SM Makati Chapel FB page)

Monday to Friday: 12:15 PM and 6 PM

Saturday: 12:15 PM, 4 PM, and 6 PM

Sunday: 10:30 AM, 12 noon, 4 PM, and 6 PM

Take note that the 4 PM and 6 PM masses on Saturday are anticipated masses.

The 6 PM masses on Monday to Saturday and the 12 noon mass on Sunday are live streamed in SM Makati Chapel's FB page and Youtube channel.

If you want more information regarding the SM Makati Chapel, I suggest that you visit their FB page.

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Visita Iglesia (2023): Quiapo Church (Manila)

Today is Black Saturday, the day when the superstitious people believe that Jesus is dead. The truth is that this was the day when Jesus descended to Hades to free the worthy souls and brought them to heaven.

The death of Jesus on the cross is not the end but rather a beginning of our salvation. So for the 7th and last day of my virtual Visita Iglesia, I believe that it is good to look at Quiapo Church and the big statue John the Baptist outside of it.

John preceded the Lord and prepared the way of Jesus by proclaiming: "I am a voice crying out in the desert, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'". I believe that the message is still true even until now. We Christians must make straight the way of the Lord so that he can do wonders in our life. We should straighten ourselves up and prepare for the resurrection of the Lord in our hearts.

The statue of John shows as if he was preaching to the people outside of Quiapo Church. He is shouting at the den of unholy things such as pamparegla, manghuhula, and anting-anting. These unholy things are displayed side-by-side with the images of Nazareno, Mama Mary, Santo Niño, rosaries, and images of saints.

Quiapo Church is the most popular church in Manila because of the thousands of devotees to the Black Nazarene.

What I like about Quiapo Church is the daily schedule for confession. I also regularly drop by their Adoration Chapel before the pandemic.

For more of my story, read about my previous Visita Iglesia in Quiapo Church.

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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): Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz (Binondo, Manila)

Good Friday is the day when we commemorate the suffering and death of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Now, a certain Philippine president ridiculed Jesus because he let Himself be crucified. That president, who only knows of worldly power, is ignorant of the power of Jesus' sacrifice. Through his sacrifice many Christians were inspired and strengthened to take up their cross, face persecution, and die like Him. One of such men who saw the power of Jesus on the cross is San Lorenzo Ruiz and I will be featuring his shrine in Binondo for the fifth day of my virtual Visita Iglesia.

San Lorenzo Ruiz is a son of a Chinese convert and a native Filipina Catholic. His life is intimately connected with Binondo Church because he served as a sacristan, educated by Dominican friars, joined the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary and became a clerk of the church.

In 1636, he was falsely accused of murdering a Spanish tax collector. To escape the Spanish colonial authorities, Lorenzo joined the Dominicans in their mission to Japan. He left his wife and children without realizing that he will never see them again.

Lorenzo and companions arrived in Japan in the period of extreme persecution under the Tokugawa Shogunate. They were captured, imprisoned for two years, and then were sent to Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki to be tortured to death.

(Source: AnaStPaul)

Lorenzo and his companions experienced painful forms of torture, such as waterboarding and insertion of bamboo needles under fingernails. Those who managed to stay alive during the ordeal were made to undergo the tsurushi — an execution method in which the victim is hanged upside down then lowered into a pit filled with excrement. The temple of the victim is cut so as to break their will or eventually kill them. Those who apostatized or denied Jesus Christ were released.

Lorenzo Ruiz did not betray our Lord. He even told his torturer these words: "I am a Catholic and I wholeheartedly accept death for God. If I had a thousand lives, I would offer them all to Him".

Lorenzo Ruiz followed the path of martyrdom as his Lord. A common man bore his heavy cross and in the end he received the crown of glory from his Master and Lord.

The current parish priest of Binondo said in his homilies that those in Binondo are fortunate because they walk in the aisle where San Lorenzo Ruiz once walked. They looked at the same altar where the first Filipino saint once served.

Binondo Church before the renovation.

Binondo Church was recently renovated and looks a little different to how it looked many years ago.

The facade was fixed and was highlighted with red paint.

The interior was also renovated. The old gray color scheme was replaced by somewhat pinkish palette.

The altar was also repainted.

My favorite painting of Saint Michael on the ceiling above the altar is still there and the other paintings on the ceilings were also restored.

At the side of the church is the image of Nuestra Señora del Pronto Socorro or Our Lady of Prompt Succor. This Marian image is not only a religious relic but also a cultural treasure. According to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the image of Nuestra Señora del Pronto Socorro is believed to be the remaining painting of a Chinese artisan dating to the 16th Century.

Nuestra Señora del Pronto Socorro was first venerated in the Church of the Holy Kings in the first parian or Chinatown of Manila, which is located in the area occupied by the Manila Central Post Office and Metropolitan Theater. The Marian was later transferred to Binondo Church in 1598.

The Chinese who painted the Marian image copied the European version but integrated it with Oriental artistic style. The face of Mary in this image is more Chinese than European. The arrangement of Mary's cape is similar to that of Chinese goddess Kuan Yin.

We can say that the Binondo Church's Nuestra Señora del Pronto Socorro is a fusion of European and Chinese art styles.

(Source: Encyclopedia of PH Art)

The Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz is steeped in history. I already talked about the old Chinese tombs in the church, particularly of Juan Dionicio Coqua. A look at the floor at the entrance of Binondo Church and you will see the broken tombstones or piedra china.

Binondo Church is a testament of the victory of the Lord through his martyrs. The sacrifices made by our Lord on the cross strengthened Christians like San Lorenzo Ruiz. The horrible and shameful death of our Lord, which is ridiculed by many, is actually the source of strength that brings many people to heaven. May all us emulate San Lorenzo by cleaving to our Lord even if we are persecuted or even at the point of death.

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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. Archdiocese of Chicago

2. Franciscan Media

3. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila

4. Cultural Center of the Philippines

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