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Showing posts with label Basilicas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Basilicas. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

BATANGAS: Taal - I Found The Largest Basilica in Asia!

Every time I went to Lemery Batangas, I always saw a church from a far viewed from the waters of Batangas. They say that it's Taal's Basilica, the Philippine's and the Asia's largest church - St. Martin de Tours. I always wanted to check it out, wondering how really big it is.

Had a chance to pass the town of Taal going to Bauan Batangas, I asked Raymond to look for the Basilica so we can experience it's architecture, design and heritage. Plus another landmark added to our list. With my family and Raymond, we visited the church and amazed how big it is plus its design.

Church construction begun in 1855 by Fr. Marcos Anton, though it's not yet finished it was inagurated in 1865 and finished by Fr. Agapito Aparicio in 1878.

It's 24-meter high and 10-meter wide Doric style, a classical ancient Greek architecture, main altar is amazing.

When we went there, there were "manangs"  praying in front rows of the church. As a courtesy, I didn't bother to move closer, and since I don't have telephoto lens, I just took photos of main altar from afar.

 At the right side of the church, like other old churches, they have this mint green "pulpito" while image of Our Lady of Caysasay is situated on the same side of the Altar.

                  The altar, the ceiling and the aisle.                                             My mom.

Outside, you will notice a small tower containing the large bell on the left side of the Church's facade which was destroyed during an earthquake in 1942 when it's belfry collapsed. It was considered as one of the largest bell in Philippines. It measures 19 feet in circumference, 9.33 feet around the crown, 6.42 feet high. It was constructed after, it's appearance doesn't fit Church anymore.

My family and the facade...with Raymond took te photo. . :)

Church info
Mass schedule
Mon-Friday: 6:00am
Wed & Saturday afternoon: 5:00pm
Sunday: 5:30am, 7:30am, 9:30am, 5:00pm


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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

MISAMIS ORIENTAL: Cagayan de Oro - What To Expect in Water Rafting

One of my goals in life is to experience an extreme hobby or sport and one of that would be water rafting adventure! White water rafting will totally pump up your adrenaline as you conquer raging 14-20 rapids in each course which we did at Cagayan de Oro city.Actually many people think that this kind of activity is really dangerous and kinda hard to learn.

This adventure has 3 different course that you can choose from: beginner, advance and extreme.
1. Beginner - a 12.32 km. river stretch that has 14 rapids starting  from Brgy. Mambuaya to Kabula.
2. Advance course 1 - a 20 km river course with 21 major rapids that you will surely enjoy from Brgy. Ugiaban to Mambuaya
3. Advance course 2 - from Brgy. Quary to Mambuaya 13 km with 13 major rapids which is moderately difficult.
4. Extreme - a 22 km adventurous stretch from bukidnon to CDO. A much difficult rapids with high and irregular waves.

We basically chose Advance because we don't want to have baby rapids from beginner's course and not Extreme since it was our first time and really don't know yet what to expect.

Upon arrival at the jump off, each were given individual equipment and went to the starting or practice area. Before getting into the boat and paddle, groups were oriented with the proper techniques, commands and safety precautions by their boat guide once engaged into the waters and rapids. Then after all of those, we were ready for the challenge!

It was so exciting! Fear of falling from the side of the rubber boat really made my heart beat faster. That was first few rapids, but as we came across more and more of it, we felt that we can conquer it confidently, still with excitement.

Unlike other people think that it was just bunch of rapids, due to most of photos and videos were going through the waves, we also did experience calm river and rowed till we reach the next cascade of water.

The Advance course adventure was really unforgettable and I recommend it to everyone of any age. It tooks us about 5-6 hours to finish it. Just imagine that! I can say it is safe if you will follow all the rules and instructions of the guide. "Power forward..1..2.." Do you think we didn't had experience felling from our boat? You're wrong! Actually there are some portion in the course wherein they intend to make your boat out of balance and hope all of you will fall. Haha, actually it's included in what we paid for! That's a secret huh. Next time we will definitely try the Extreme one!

The last rapids

You might want to see Essentials for this adventure at:
ESSENTIALS - CDO White Water Rafting: Itinerary, How to Get there, Things To Bring, Budget and Expenses
Me fell from the boat.


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