Wednesday, March 2, 2016

15 Rizal Churches for your Visita Iglesia (Part 1)

Every year, Visita Iglesia has been part of many Filipinos' tradition of their observation of the Holy Week. The faithfuls visit seven to fourteen different churches, depending on their own preference and custom. Many would go to far-away provinces while some prefer to do it near their home, especially those from Metro Manila. Rizal, a province which can be found just at the vicinity of Metro Manila, has many churches perfect for a meaningful visita iglesia.

Rizal is an average-sized province and visitors would not be able to cover all its churches in a day. Depending on what visitor's prefer and from where they will come from, they can choose from two clusters of churches to be visited. They can choose either the Northern Rizal (Part 1) or Southern Rizal (Part 2) Visita Iglesia.

Below is a suggested guide for a Northern Rizal Visita Iglesia:

1. OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY CHURCH, Rodriguez (Montalban)




Church details. The parish was created in the 1870's, during the Spanish era though the present church is modern and newly-built.

Location. J.P. Rizal St., Balite, Rodriguez, Rizal.

How to get there? If you are coming from Commonwealth Ave., there is a terminal going to Rodriguez near Litex Market. Just ask around where the terminal is. If you are commuting from Cubao, ride a jeepney bound to Montalban along Aurora Boulevard. There are also FX terminals in Farmers Market - Cubao going to Montalban.



2. OUR LADY OF ARANZAZU CHURCH, San Mateo




Church details. The parish was created in 1596, during the Spanish era while the church was built at a later year. This is the only Philippine parish named after the Our Lady of Aranzazu, whose image is said to have been brought to the Philippines aboard a galleon trade ship it has protected in the midst of an ocean storm. It is now a diocesan shrine of the Diocese of Antipolo

Location. Gen. Luna St., Guitnangbayan I, San Mateo, Rizal

How to get there? From Montalban, just ride a jeep bound to San Mateo. Ask the driver to drop you off at the front of the church.


3. NUESTRA SENORA DE LA ANUNCIATA CHURCH, Boso-boso, Antipolo City




Church details. The parish and the church was erected in the 1700 by the Jesuit priests. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1880 but was rebuilt later. In 1930, the town of Boso-boso was abandoned by the citizens because of a planned dam, leaving the church also abandoned. When the building of the dam didn't push through, the people came back to the place. The church was restored in 1995 and became a parish in 2004.

Location. Sitio Old Boso-boso, San Jose, Antipolo City

How to get there? Take a jeep bound to Sta. Lucia East and from there ride another jeep bound to Cogeo. After reaching Cogeo, ride a jeep with the "Paenaan" signboard and ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance of Sitio Old Boso-boso. From there, ride a tricycle to the church.


4. NUESTRA SENORA DE LA PAZ Y BUENVIAJE CHURCH, Antipolo City




Church details. Antipolo Cathedral is one of the most famous pilgrimage site around Metro Manila. This is the church known to many as the home of the image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, visited by thousands of devotees asking for good voyage before going abroad or travelling outside the country. The parish was founded in 1578 while the present church was built in the 20th century.

Location. P. Oliveros St., Dela Paz, Antipolo City

How to get there? From Boso-boso, ride a jeep going back to Sta. Lucia East. From Sta. Lucia East, ride another jeep going to Antipolo Cathedral.


5. STA. ROSA DE LIMA CHURCH, Teresa




Church details. The parish was founded in 1903 while the present church is modern and newly-built.

Location. M. L. Quezon St., Poblacion, Teresa, Rizal

How to get there? From Antipolo Cathedral, just ask around where you can ride a jeep to Teresa. Tell the driver to drop you off at Teresa Church.


6. SAN JUAN BAUTISTA CHURCH, Taytay




Church details. The parish of Taytay was erected in the latter years of the 16th Century and has been part of a long history of the present town of Taytay and neighboring towns and cities. The present church is still the old one but is already renovated where extensions were made since the 1970's.

Location. Sumulong St., Dolores, Taytay, Rizal

How to get there? From Teresa, go back to Antipolo Bayan. Ask around (in Antipolo Bayan) where you can find the jeepney terminal going to SM Taytay. From SM Taytay, ride a jeep bound to Angono and tell the driver to drop you off at Taytay Church.


7. OUR LADY OF LIGHT CHURCH, Cainta



Church details. The parish was erected in 1760, and the church built years after. The church was razed by fire during the Filipino-American War in 1899 but was repaired and renovated years after.

Location. A. Bonifacio Avenue, San Andres, Cainta, Rizal

How to get there? From Taytay, ride a jeep going to Cainta. Alight at the back of the church (the church is facing backwards from the national road.

Cainta Church is the last part of your Northern Rizal Visita Iglesia. You may also opt to do the Southern Rizal Visita Iglesia.
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About the Author

I am ROMEL RAFOR JAIME, the man behind San Josenyong Gala. My travel blogger name came about because I am a proud resident of the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. In real life, I am a licensed librarian who works in a college in Gapan, Nueva Ecija as a librarian and teaches general education subjects from time to time. My goal is to visit all the 81 provinces of the Philippines before visiting other countries. As of 2017, I have already visited 73... :)

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