Caleruega (Philippines) Weekend
If you want to spend some quiet moments, refresh your mind, feel close to nature and God, Caleruega is the perfect place to go; located in Brgy. Kaylayaw, Batulao, Nasugbu Batangas. As described in the flyer given to visitors at the gate, Caleruga is a house (place) of prayer and renewal. It is equipped with facilities for activities like retreats, recollections, prayer and renewal workshops, and other religious and environmental-related assemblies. But you can also go for a day’s visit. Like what I did last weekend. For 30 pesos entrance fee, you can enjoy the breathtaking views, clear your mind and find peace.
I’ve been planning that trip for a long, long time and been asking some of my friends to go with me. They’d say yes but we’d end up postponing the trip afterwards. I was awed when I saw the pictures in the Dominicans’ website. I was rendered speechless actually, my breath literally taken away for several seconds. I’m really glad that I was able to visit the place this time and was able to convince one of my college friends to go with me. 
It rained that day. But that did not dampen our enthusiasm to explore the place. Both Grace and I did not bring any real food, thinking there might be a place to eat inside. Big mistake. I should have realized that it’s a place for reflection, peaceful solitude, connecting with God and the beauty of His creations, not a gimik place. So we ended up eating chips (junk food) and sampalok candy, which was a little spicy but suited our taste just as well.
Anyway, we started walking the path that led to The Way of the Cross (Stations of the Cross). It’s a long, narrow road that leads to the bridge going to the camping grounds. The stations are wood-carved, each surrounded by flowering plants and shrubs. In between the stations are pahinglayan or resting areas—wood huts with swings or wooden benches. From here, we went back to Plaza de Guzmanes and climbed the few steps leading to the Dominicum, stopped for a glass of water then followed the long, ascending pathway called Via Evangelium, which means “The Way of the Gospel.” The stairway, as mentioned in the website, symbolizes the narrow path of life, which is an uphill climb and perseverance leads to the top. We actually didn’t notice how long the climb was because the place is surrounded with a variety of plants, trees and flowers in bloom. Along the Via Evangelium, at the right side, is the statue of Saint Dominic—known as the “Happy Friar.” We detoured to Plaza de Aza, rested in one of the benches there and savored some quiet moments.
Resuming our journey, we finally reached the end of Via Evangelium, which is also the highest point of Caleruega and the site of the majestic structure of the Transfiguration Chapel. You can view the expanse of Caleruega from here. I felt overwhelmed staring at the beauty laid before my eyes. It made me realize how small I am; that I am just a speck of dust in the vast the universe. The chapel’s façade is similar to the original chapel in Caleruega, Spain—the birthplace of Saint Dominic. A wedding was held at the chapel that day, so the aisle and the altar were still decorated with flowers. The stained glass at the altar is a depiction of the Transfiguration of Christ (center). Outside the chapel is a lush garden. A sculpture of Christ particularly caught my attention, His arms extended, His head raised to the heavens. It’s another amazing sight in Caleruga.
Our last stop was the Rosary Lane, which is beside the chapel and leads to an impasse where the Virgin Mary’s statue resides. Seen from here are the jagged (or their jagged peaks) mountains of Batulao. We only stayed for a while and headed back to Plaza de Guzmanes. Only then did we realized that we had been walking for almost four hours. We finally went out after a while, waited for our tricycle ride (yes, we commuted) that will bring us to the national highway.
Caleruega is just a few hours from Manila. If you don’t have a car (like us!), you can board buses going to Nasugbu, Balayan, or Calatagan. Get off at Evercrest (hotel), ride the tricycle there and ask the driver to bring you to Caleruega or you can walk if you feel like hiking. Bus fare is less than a hundred pesos, tricycle is 40 or 50 pesos. You can also ask the driver to fetch you afterwards.
This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
I truly appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again
Thanks for your exciting article. Other thing is that mesothelioma cancer is generally due to the breathing of materials from asbestos fiber, which is a dangerous material. It is commonly witnessed among staff in the structure industry who’ve long exposure to asbestos. It’s also caused by living in asbestos protected buildings for a long period of time, Genetics plays an important role, and some people are more vulnerable for the risk than others.
Thanks for the strategies you have provided here. Additionally, I believe there are many factors that really keep your car insurance policy premium straight down. One is, to think about buying automobiles that are in the good listing of car insurance companies. Cars which might be expensive are more at risk of being snatched. Aside from that insurance is also good value of your truck, so the higher in price it is, then higher your premium you pay.
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is needed to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% sure. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Great post, I believe blog owners should larn a lot from this website its really user pleasant. So much great information on here
.
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Get the facts…
[...]Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely feel this website needs far more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the information![...]…
I was just looking for this information for some time. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your website. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this type of informative web sites in top of the list. Generally the top sites are full of garbage.
you are actually a just right webmaster. The site loading speed is amazing. It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a great job on this matter!
2011…
Thanks for another excellent article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information….
This unique web page actually helped with my issue, Many thanks. . !
2011…
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?…
Awsome info and straight to the point. I am not sure if this is really the best place to ask but do you people have any ideea where to employ some professional writers? Thx
Hello, i believe that i noticed you visited my site thus i came to “go back the favorâ€.I am trying to to find issues to enhance my site!I suppose its adequate to use some of your ideas!!
I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
That is the correct weblog for anyone who desires to search out out about this topic. You realize a lot its nearly arduous to argue with you (not that I really would need…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just great!
Hi, everything is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s in fact good, keep up writing.
I think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers
2011…
Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun….
Thanks for the good writeup. It if truth be told was once a entertainment account it. Glance complex to more delivered agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?
After I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there any approach you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have developed some nice practices and we are looking to exchange methods with other folks, be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.
Hello. Great job. I did not anticipate this. This is a splendid story. Thanks!
Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any suggestions for first-time blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.
2011…
Hi, just required you to know I he added your site to my Google bookmarks due to your layout. But seriously, I believe your internet site has 1 in the freshest theme I??ve came across. It extremely helps make reading your blog significantly easier….
dandruff shampoo reviews…
[...]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[...]…
This Site…
[...]You have made some good points there. I checked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.[...]…
A couple brilliant information on here, thank you definitely for sharing the understanding! I will likely to be pretty sure to bookmark this web site so i can check back for any future updates you might make.
google penguin seo…
I will help you bitch slap the Penguin and get your site ranked again for $5…