Miguel Lorenzo Q. Panagsagan Kas 1 WFU2

2013 - 14841

San Juan Del Monte, Bulacan

Going through the tight gates of this shrine gave me ideas that this church would be just like

simple, old, and plain just like hundreds of other churches that I've seen. But the crowded streets with

vendors left and right gave me the wrong impression for looking upon this tall structure; I was amazed at

how beautiful something can be. Even the unfinished facade of the church gave me an inclination to just

gaze upon it. Going around the compound, I saw a Grotto, Calvary Hill, and Rosary hill. The Calvary Hill

featured life-size statues depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross. The Rosary Hill was also interesting for me

The Shrine of Our Lady Of Lourdes

for it had numerous giant concrete beads (155 to be exact after researching). Asking around, I found out

that they say that the water underneath the Grotto is miraculous spring water. These things make the Our

Lady of Lourdes Grotto Shrine a popular destination to visit during the Holy Week. The Guanzon Family

owns the private property. They are a devout, catholic family who say that the Virgin Mary of Our Lady of

Lourdes in France cured them of their sickness. They then exactly replicated the grotto here in the

Philippines as a way of being grateful for their healing.

The story goes that in 1961, Anita Guidote Guanzon was suffering a severe case of uterine cancer

or cancer of the uterus. During this time, there was no known cure for the disease therefore it spread

throughout her body even reaching her lungs. She was considered handicapped and could barely walk.

The doctors gave her only a few months to live. Despite the tragedy that she has succumbed to, her family

kept strong faith in God.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France

Anita's sister, a Paulinian Nun, suggested that they fly to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in

France for it was believed that healing miracles have been given to its devotees. The family then flew to

France and for 20 days, attended the regular morning mass and proceeded to the Grotto where they would

bathe. After, they would attend vigils for the blessing of the sick.

Then one morning, they found Anita singing, walking and washing their clothes. The doctors were

shocked when they saw the results that she was completely cured of her cancer and the only explanation

was that it was a miracle done by the Virgin Mary.

The Church being featured in the Philippine Star

Test Results Before and After Visiting the Grotto

Marilao, Bulacan

The first thing you see at this church is the plain old beige facade. Then you see the inside. The

ceilings and walls painted with images of saints and Holy People. But then you go to the lower area where

a grotto is overlooking a yard full of rocks and wooden benches. It was truly a sight to remember.

The church is dedicated to the Divine Mercy hence the name and was elevated to the status of a

National Shrine By Archbishop Orlando. Also at the lower area, there is a model of Calvary with life-sized

pictorials of the Stations of the Cross. The chapel below the church shows a picture of Our Lady with

flowing water around it. They say that this water has healing properties. The church also has a Little Poland

Museum, which features a replica of the house, and basement where Pope John Paul II lived, the chapel

where St. Faustina had envisioned the Divine Mercy.

National Shrine of the Divine Mercy

This peaceful environment is why at least 300,000 devotees have flocked to this holy place as

pilgrimage. The atmosphere will give you that feeling of peace and serenity, which is almost like heaven.

The underground routes also have this dark and cool feeling to it which makes you think of all the miracles

that have happened here, like the wall full of crutches of those who couldn't walk before hung on one of the

stone walls.

Grotto Overseeing the Yard Full of Stone Benches

The Facade of the Shrine

Malolos, Bulacan

The barrio of Santisima Trinidad is one of the oldest towns in Bulacan. It was formed during the

Spanish Era. The name originated from its Patron, the Blessed Trinity. This came from a story told by the

elders that a farmer was plowing his rice fields when he found a picture of the Blessed Trinity. The chapel

now stands exactly where he found the image. It was erected on May 4, 1863 and is the oldest church of its

kind in the Philippines.

It enshrines the image of the Blessed Trinity and they also say that when construction began, they

found a deep well beside the area and said that the water from this well could cure any sickness, but you

also have to profess your full faith into the Blessed Trinity for the healing to happen. Because of these

stories, the chapel has become a famous pilgrimage to regions near the barrio.

The Blessed Trinity as seen inside the Santisima Trinidad Church

Plaridel, Bulacan

Built in 1595, the Parish Church of Santiago Apostol is the oldest church built by the Augustinians

here in the Philippines. The town was one of the earliest towns to be established in the Bulacan area, being

formerly known as Quingua.

When we first arrived, there was a downpour and it was cold. Yet the environment was so quiet.

This atmosphere also makes it a famous pilgrimage site during the holy week. During the British occupation

of 1762 - 1763, this church was the safe hold for the money and jewels of San Agustin which were

originally located in Intramuros.

The church has an intricate interior using geometric designs such as triangles. It also has an

octagonal bell tower known as the Simborio.

The Facade of the Plaridel Church

The church is also part of what is known as a Plaza Complex. This was introduced during the

Spanish occupation and was a way of easily colonializing the land and bringing the natives closer to

Catholicism. The Spaniards then required the inhabitants to put up houses around an open space called

the plaza. The plaza complex then had the said open space, usually square or rectangle in shape, a church

or chapel, and a municipal. The municipal hall in Plaridel is just 70 meters away from the church.

The church has also been featured in commercials, like for ABS-CBN, and tele-novelas featured

around the Philippines. It's colonial design makes it a famous filming sight.

The School Located Near the Church

Malolos, Bulacan

Also known as the Cradle of Democracy in the East, this church is considered as the most

important religious building in the Philippines. Built in 1859 by Augustinian Missionaries, the architectural

and interior design was greatly admired by the masses being it as a replica of the Barasoain Church in

Spain. The original church was burned during the Philippine Revolution but was rebuilt.

This church has been the site of Major historical events during the residence of General Emilio

Aguinaldo. This was where the first assembly of the Philippine Congress had happened on September 15,

1898, the declaration of the Philippine Constitution on June 21 and the establishment of the Philippine

Republic on June 23 both in 1899.

Barasoain Church or Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish

Presently, the church is used mostly during National events such as the Inauguration of President

Joseph Estrada and Independence Day rites. Part of the church is now the Barasoain Church Historical

Landmark Museum where we had our light and sound showing. It has life-sized statues of those were in the

first assembly of the Philippine Congress. It also hosts famous paintings, religious artifacts and documents

that are important to Philippine history.

The Barasoain Church Interior