Antipolo Pilgrimage – religious tradition to the elder people, whom are blessed by the Virgin all year round

The Festival

Populating the hills of Antipolo for pilgrimage at the shrine of Nuestra Senora dela Paz y Buenviaje, or Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, is a large crowd of Filipinos from all over the Philippines, devotees to the Blessed Virgin of Antipolo, during the month of May. Purpose of the devotion vary as they may be praying for their needs, fulfilling the panata or vow, to make penance, expressing gratitude, or venerating God and the saints.
Pilgrimage to the Blessed Virgin is a religious tradition to the elder people, whom are blessed by the Virgin all year round. Younger people see opportunity for a good picnic at Antipoloís wonderful scenery. It is a romantic setting for lovers for they can enjoy the view of the metropolitan city lights atop the hills
People from far places usually reach Antipolo at nightfall, and in rented houses, the pilgrims stay for nine days for the novena.
After the pilgrimage, people usually go on a sidetrip to the well-known water falls of Hinulugang Taktak. It was made to be a National Park sometime in the 80ís.
The high city of Antipolo reaches an altitude of 711 above sea level, and nicknamed ìThe City in the Skyî. Lies at the east of Manila, northwest of Marikina and San Mateo, east of Quezon City, and southwest of Taytay and Cainta, a visit to Antipolo is one unforgettable event. New resorts welcome pilgrims for activities such as swimming, horseback riding, and bowling, not to mention the numerous picnic spots.

Origin

Antipolo Church began when the royal government contributed a hundred pesos and parishoners contributed amounts they could offer. Year 1604, local residents erected the church from timber and eventually, replaced with stone and lime edifice.
This became the shrine of the image of the Blessed Virgin brought by General Juan NiÒo de Tabora, and made Antipolo a well-known town.

History

The city of Antipolo had humble begginings when the Franciscan missionaries built a church in 1578 in Boso-boso. Community visiting the church grew and in 1626, the Virgin Mary image brought by General Juan NiÒo de Tabora from Acapulco,Mexico was offered as a gift to the Antipolo church.
Despite the numerous threats through countryís struggle for freedom, the image survived from centuries of war and rebellion against invaders as this highland city played a prominent role in battle. It had been the center of the guerilla resistance movement as a part of the Philippine Revolutionary Government in 1898.
Through these times of uproar, the image was brought to Cavite and Acapulco. Named ìOur lady of Peace and Good Voyageî, the Virgin earned thousands of devotees, of local and foreign alike who willingly climb the hills, the rough-terrained mountains, and the springs, to attend the Holy Mass in Antipolo Cathedral during Holy Week. This annual tradition of pilgrimage of devotees to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage has named Antipolo, ìThe Pilgrimage Cityî.

The Scoop

Side Trip

The Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage:

Travelers who wish for safe journey seek the blessing of the Virgin can visit the Shrine of the Virgin of Antipolo in the Cathedral of Antipolo located right in the center of the city. Devotees travel on foot from Quiapo Church all the way to the Ladyís Shrine every year at evening of 30th of April in a journey called ìAlay Lakadî, commemorating how the image was carried from Quiapo Church to the Pilgrimage city after being liberated from the Japanese regime.

Hinulugang Taktak

Became a National Park in the 80ís, Hinulagang Taktak has picnic spots and cottages, swimming pool, in a well-aranged area of pathways around the waterfalls. Live concerts and cultural plays are held during the month of May contributes to the once a year experience.

The Mystical Cave

During Lenten Season, the natural underground rock formations of stalagmites and stalactites limestomes that mystically form religious icons and images attracts visiting devotees.

In Succession

Paved roads of the now urban Antipolo can be reached more or less an hour from Manila. Pilgrimage nowadays consists of a short mass at the shrine. Back in the old days, pilgrims stay at the shrine in Antipolo for several days and rented houses of the locals, as the owners move elsewhere to offer their place for their religious act.

all photos are protected by copyright - © anton sheker

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