Visita Iglesia (2013) - Laguna

Laguna is one of my most favorite province in the country.  Aside from being very accessible from my hometown in Rizal, Laguna offers a lot to its visitors - lush green mountains, majestic waterfalls, delicious food, and beautiful old churches.  

This year, my family decided to go to Laguna for our annual Visita Iglesia.

Map of Laguna from www.en.wikipedia.org

The big concern was Laguna is a big province with 30 cities and municipalities.  What towns in Laguna should we visit? Should we visit the more "urbanized" western portion of Laguna or should we go to the more "rural" eastern portion?  Since we live in Antipolo, it would be more convenient to go to the more "rural" eastern portion of Laguna.

We left Antipolo at around 8 o'clock in the morning.  We passed through the towns of Teresa, Morong, Tanay, and Pililla in Rizal.  The view of ricefields and Laguna de Bay were amazing.  After Pililia, the last town in Rizal, we were greeted by a "Welcome to Laguna" sign.  As we arrived in Mabitac, the first town in Laguna from Rizal, the view of Laguna Lake got even more beautiful.  We passed through the towns of Famy, Siniloan, Pangil, until we arrived in Pakil at around 9;45 am, we proceeded to our first church, the Church of the Nuestra Señora de las Dolores de Turumba:

Facade of Pakil Church

Brief History of Pakil Church

Interior of Pakil Church

After Pakil, we had a ten-minute drive to the next town, Paete, a town world-famous for its wood-carvers.  We proceeded to Paete Church, the St. James the Apostle Church.  When we arrived at the Paete Church, the locals were busy preparing for the late-afternoon procession:

Facade of the Paete church

A picture of Paete church from the side

Interior of Paete Church

Brief history of Paete Church

Kalayaan is the next town after Paete.  There are three Catholic churches in Kalayaan, but we were informed that the oldest among the three can be found in Longos.  Longos is one of Kalayaan's barangays.  It used to be the town's center.  Upon arriving at the church, we were awed by the beauty of the church's architecture.  However, upon entering the church, anyone will notice that its interior is not well preserved:

Facade of the Kalayaan Church

Interior of Kalayaan Church. 

South of Kalayaan is the town of Lumban.  Lumban is known as the "Embroidery Capital of the Philippines"  because of its thriving jusi and pinya embroidering industries.  Lumban is likewise known for its beautiful church, the San Sebastian Church:

Facade of Lumban Church

Brief history of the church

Interior of Lumban Church

The resort town of Pagsanjan was next on the list.  Although it is not as "old" compared to churches in other towns, Pagsanjan Church, a.k.a. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church is still worth visiting:

Facade of Pagsanjan Church

 

Brief history of Pagsanjan church...

 

Pagsanjan chruch interior

From Pagsanjan, we took a detour to Liliw, the Tsinelas Capital of the Philippines.  Among the churches we visited in Laguna, the Liliw Church, for me, is the most beautiful.  After hearing mass, you may shop along tsinelas street just beside the Church:

Facade of Liliw Church

Liliw chruch from the side

Interior of Liliw church

Shopping @ Tsinelas Street just beside Liliw church

Our last stop was the town of Pila.  Pila is known for its well-preserved houses which date back to the Spanish Period.  Likewise, Pila is the home of the St. Anthony of Padua Church:

Facade of Pila Church

Brief history of Pila Church

 

Interior of Pila Church

Indeed, Laguna is a good place to discover and explore churches.  Aside from the seven towns we have visited, there are other historical churches in Laguna.  As recommended by friends, the old churches in Cavinti and Majayjay are also worth visiting.

Have a blessed holy week everyone!