After a week in Baguio, we finally returned to Clark for a late-night flight back to Cebu. While traversing the TPLEX, a colleague suggested visiting some heritage destinations. The idea resonated with everyone, and we all agreed to stop at the Our Lady of Manaog to offer a prayer and candles. Well, the signage says that the Church is at the next exit of the expressway, but it took us a while to get there as it was a bit farther than expected. We arrived late in the morning at the Church.
We parked a few meters away from the Church. While we were about to go to the Church, someone spotted an interesting delicacy, Tupig. At first, I thought it was like Bibingka (Sticky Rice), but it seems not. Tupig was charcoal grilled. It tastes like a coconut delicacy but has sticky rice. While the texture is surprisingly unique, it tastes good (I think this is what matters.) Going back to the Church, I was looking at its facade and felt from afar that it was plain and ordinary, but I was wrong.
The Spanish-Romanesque style stands proud as it merges with a hint of German and Italian Renaissance themes. The facade detailing is exquisite, and the fresh cream with a white accent speaks solemnity. My gaze was drawn upward to the grand octagonal dome crowning the point where the nave and transepts met, creating a magnificent cruciform silhouette inviting reverence. The walls tell stories from the Bible through its ornate frescoes. Their vibrant colors are almost luminescent under the soft light filtering through the stained-glass windows. If its walls speak, so does each window; the stained glass also holds some stories, casting brilliant red, blue, and gold hues onto the cool stone floors, creating a tapestry wherein light danced as I moved.
The facade featured St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Margaret of Hungary, St. Catherine of Sienna, and St. Dominic of Guzman statues in each pilaster. The door wore an engraved Dominican insignia. The bell tower stands proudly between the Church and the convent, and a white cross lies at its summit. At the other entrance door housed the souvenir shop and a small office. To my left, Saint Dominic of Guzman radiated deep spirituality and unwavering faith. His serene gaze offered me guidance and strength. On my right, with his heartwarming presence, the compassionate Saint Francis of Assisi reminded me of his boundless love for all living beings. In that moment, I felt a deep connection—to these saints and to the essence of peace they represented. I felt the divine motherly watchfulness in Our Lady of Manaog. That motherly feeling in the space enables us to feel welcome.
Our Lady of Manaog was full of devotees, yet the space enveloped in peace and solemnity. Getting closer to the altar, the smell of incense grows stronger and harmonizes with the soft hymns echoing gently around me. The perfectly aligned polished wooden pews extended towards the altar. The pew's dark hues perfectly contrast the lighter high vaulted ceilings. An intricately carved crucifix stands proudly at the center, draped in rich fabric at the altar. I felt how the craftsman put so much work into it. I couldn't help but be in awe as I paused in silence.
We decided to explore the Church and the store and split into groups. Older colleagues went directly to lit candles while we looked for souvenirs in the shops. I dropped by the prayer offering first; hence, it was a few days after my mom's death anniversary. I offered a prayer for my mom's soul and a thanksgiving for the blessings. I returned to the group in the souvenir shop. I bought a pair of rosary and candles.
In the inner part of the Church, we found a place to light our candles. Lies at the center was an image of the Our Lady of Manaog. She seemed to float above a beautifully crafted altar. Her presence captivated me in a way I can't quite describe. Tranquility embraces as it gives off a warm feeling of ease. A wave of tranquility washed over me, enveloping my spirit in a warm embrace. A lot of devotees stand before it, offering their prayers. Hence, it's understandable to have a bit of noise in the place filled with devotees, but the murmurs and echoes were of prayers and devotion enveloping the space. I felt a deep connection to the many devotees who had come before me. Their prayers lingered in the air, the transference of heat from the lit candles creating a shared spiritual space transcending time and individual experiences.
A magnetic pull, irresistible and profound, beckoned me towards the tranquil mini-chapel tucked away behind the altar. I discovered a haven of peace here, far removed from the vibrant pulse of the main sanctuary. As my fingers brushed against the cool stone of the cherished image, a thrill, not of chill but of reverence, cascaded down my spine. The atmosphere vibrated with a divine presence, a living essence that wrapped around me like a gentle hug. Time appeared to dissolve in this sanctuary of silence, urging me to yield to the deep sanctity of this extraordinary moment.
We took about an hour or more in Our Lady of Manaog before continuing our travel to Clark. Visiting the Church was a needed break from a long drive, and I offer prayers for our safe trip back to Cebu.
All photographs are attributed to the author.