Top Pilgrimage Sites in the Philppines

1. The churches of Ilocos – Ilocos has many centuries old churches that are listed in Philippine’s historical heritage. The churches of Santa Maria and Paoay are two of four Philippine Baroque churches inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

2. San Pedro Apostol Church in Loboc, Bohol – This is the second oldest church in Bohol built in 1608. The walls are made of coral stones The chruch structure includes a three-storey convent, a bell tower situated about 50 meters away from the front and a mortuary chapel.

3. Basilica of the Our Lady of Piat in Cagayan – This church is known as the “Pilgrimage Center of Cagayan Valley”. Many devotees, visitors and tourist come to this church to pay a visit to the image of our Lady of Piat.

4. Baclaran and Quiapo Churches in Manila – The two churches one of the most popular heritage of the Philippines. Baclaran Church is known as the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and the Quiapo Church is the home of the miraculous Black Nazarene.

5. Agoo Basilica in La Union – This Basilica is considered the most beautiful church in La Union whic hwas built in 1892. This imposing structure of Mexican-Baroque architecture is the venue of religious rites, foremost of which is the Semana Santa. Also, the much publicized divine visitations of the Virgin Mary in the early 1990’s have established Agoo as a destination of Marian devotees.

6. Our Lady of Peñafrancia Church in Naga City, Camarines Sur - Every September during the feast day of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, this church is filled by devotees. This is the newest and biggest Catholic Basilica in Bicol.

7. Kapitangan Chapel in Paombong, Bulacan – Every Holy Week, this chapel is filled with devotees to obtain the blessed oil believed to possess healing capabilities. This chapel is known as the a pilgrimage during Holy Week.

8. Miagao Church in Iloilo – One of the architectural heritage of the Philippines and included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List under the title “Baroque churches of the Philippines.” The architectural design of this church is unique because this church looks like a fortress but the ornamentation of the church’s facade is designed like a retablo.

9. Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan – This church is one of the Philippines pilgrimage centers. It was known that image of Our Lady of Manaoag, an image of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario is miraculous.

10. Mount Banahaw in Quezon – Mount Banahaw is the most popular pilgrimage destination in the Philippines. A pilgrimage to this so-called “holy mountain” is a most unique spiritual experience as it combines the culture of Catholicism with indigenous mysticism.

Source: etravelpilipinas

Good Eats

Food can be both interesting and delicious. The good part about traveling is getting to know both the culture and the food.

We came across a nice store in Italy, where they sell beautiful bread. Nice to look at, great to eat. The place gives you that holiday feeling.


I recall my German aunt (she's the wife of my father's best friend), who gave us sweet-smelling, home-made cookies and biscuits. She shared her stories back home in Germany when they used to decorate the Christmas tree with these colorful cookies shaped as Christmas ornaments.

They were terrific sweet eats. Yummy!