Pangasinan : Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag
We left our house around 3:30AM. I didn't have a clue how to get there nor my brother who was our driver :). We just relied on google maps, road signs, instructions from people we asked for directions AND instincts. Believe me it worked! Besides, my brother said "basta dere-derecho lang yan".
Going there we took NLEX then SCTEX. We exited at SCTEX Tarlac then we were faced with two opposing roads, the signboard says Pangasinan to the left then Baguio to the right. We turned left of course and then followed the highway. When we reached Tarlac City, I was quite impressed with the wide road. We passed by Isdaan Floating Restaurant, which I plan to visit sometime. At some point there was a crossroad, we asked direction going to Urdaneta City and the guy said, "kanan po, tapos dere-derecho lang kayo". See, my brother was right after all!!
We parked at the back of the Municipal hall, right beside the Fire Station. Don't worry about the parking space, there were people who willingly assisted us.
Since the church is located at the center of the town, traffic was present. It was a Sunday so the place was crowded. In front of the church were the Municipal hall, Tiange, McDonalds and Chowking. Timecheck, it was only around 7AM. Still early so we had our breakfast first.
The street going to the Shrine was very crowded with vendors of kakanin, tupig, bucayo, flowers, etc.. Honestly, some of them are makulit.
Shrine
We're beginning to feel the heat and the first thing we did was visit the Veneration Room which is located at the second floor. The line was really long but that's okay. It only means that people were interested.
We waited for an hour until we reached the second floor then we were asked to fall in two lines that lead us to the location where our Lady of Manaoag was enthroned.
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| busy street that leads to the church |
Shrine
We're beginning to feel the heat and the first thing we did was visit the Veneration Room which is located at the second floor. The line was really long but that's okay. It only means that people were interested.
We waited for an hour until we reached the second floor then we were asked to fall in two lines that lead us to the location where our Lady of Manaoag was enthroned.
There was a square hole just right to put your arms to reach and touch the back of Mama Mary's gown. Afterwards, we stayed for a while to pray.
Adjoining the veneration room is their Souvenir shop. We lit candles, wished on their wishing well as well as offered flowers to Mama Mary's sculpture in a tree.
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| floating candles |
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| at the foot is a wishing well |
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| wodden sculpture of Our Lady of Manaog in a tree |
Sadly, we weren't able to attend the mass, we only got a glimpse of Mama Mary's altar from afar and really I was mesmerized by it. It brought an overwhelming feeling of joy being there.
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| Schedules |
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