Taking A Visita Iglesia Via The Pasig River!

Holy week is upon us and one of our devotional traditions is doing Visita Iglesia by visiting churches. Depending on your preference, you could visit 7, 8 or even 14 churches, usually done with the way of the cross. I've been practicing this tradition with friends and family, and I would always ask myself how can I make this a unique experience every year.

With many churches located within Metro Manila, there is practically a lot of place to go to to complete your itinerary. And recently, there is a new way of doing Visita Iglesia and this is through the Pasig River. It was in recent years that ferry service was available for the public. The Zoomanity Group had a great idea of infusing Visita Iglesia with the river cruise which makes it an unique experience.

Visita Igelsia Diaries 2016 : A New Path

Last year, I was not able to participate with the Visita Iglesia and the last post I had was way back in 2013. So I was eager to make my yearly tradition to be again part of my Holy Week reflection and prayer time. This time, I made a new path different from the usual route I have trekked in the past years. Also I have formed a personal and more intimate group of dorm mates and blogger friends to be part of the new path.

The new path is something I was quite afraid to take since it has an uncertain journey time and expectations, but the fact that I have friends with this makes it light and fun, and most likely a picture filled day.

The new route starts with a gathering at Malate Church which is also the best way to start since it is the best of both worlds, a stunning view of Manila Bay, and the solemn and historical compound of Malate Church.

Visita Iglesia Diaries 2013

With the holy week now entering the Easter Triduum (Late Maundy Thurday to Early Easter Sunday), many Filipinos follow the tradition of Visita Iglesia which I also grew up with. And in the past years, I have being doing a blog/video documentation of my journeys going to the 14 churches (traditionally 7 or 8 to some but I opt to go with 14 for the stations of the cross and the abundance of churches in the city).

In 2013, I went on the Visita Iglesia journey with my fellow SCAns (Student Catholic Action) which was a yearly tradition of the organization. Touring around the city of Manila staring at PLM in Intramuros and first visiting the churches inside the walled city.

Now let me take you on what we went to the whole day with these churches, most of them are old and historical.

VISITA IGLESIA DIARIES 2012 (PART1)

Like I have experienced, the journey of 14 churches for Visita Iglesia is better as a personal retreat with God. The tradition has been popular with Pinoys because its provide a chance to  travel during the Holy week especially when malls are closed and there is no regular programming on TV.  It's actually a great time to bond with family and friends this week. 


As my family are quite far from me, I usually go visita iglesia on my own for the past few years now and for this journey, I made another Visita Iglesia Diaries dedicated for this holy week. 

VISITA IGLESIA DIARIES 2012 (PART2)

For this second half, the churches might be sometimes close to each other, the feel and experience with each of them is really different though there are all i just one city. the feel of each one is one of a kind and makes you want to kneel down and pray. As most of the churches are indeed nearby, my feet are also getting tired as well as my knee from walking at distances with also a difficult terrain that could injure the feet.


The whole trip was tiring but at same time, very touching as each step and sight gives more than just history but also a more meaningful message.

VISITA INGLESIA DIARIES: The Journey Starts

This year I have gone on another Visita Iglesia tour on my own and this time I actually started at 4PM. Now the journey begins.

Visita Iglesia Diaries

As we are in the Holy Week, malls are closed, a very long weekend and also a tricky weather I would pressume but this is also an opportunity for us to reflect, rest and also to temporarily  disconnect from our hectic lives. After Misa de Gallo Diaries, and Traslacion 2012, here I go again with my personal devotion and shared here in the blog. Today I start my Visita Iglesia Diaries. 

The journey starts today, I hope I would be able to share things and places of worship that others can also find inspiration in which I also did. So stay tuned and I hope to also bump into several friends along the way. For now, here are the videos I made last year for the Visita Iglesia back in 2011.

May you have a meaningful and blessed holy week!

Visita Iglesia 2011

14 churches

7 miles walking
4 cities
20 minutes video
200+ photos
1 man
VISITA IGLESIA 2011.

the whole story very soon, stay tuned.