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.