Enroute to Manaoag

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag; Spanish: Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario de Manaoag. June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written & photographed

By Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

For a lot of Filipinos, Manaoag in Pangasinan is a very popular pilgrimage destination especially for Marian devotees. My own parents have been going there as parishioners of St Peter the Apostle in Paco.

Back then, they would join three other Chinese Parishes of Manila in pilgrimage: St Jude Parish (near Malacañang), San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in Binondo and Mary The Queen Parish in San Juan.

I remember as a child, buses were hired and hundreds of parishioners would travel together to Manaoag, which is said to be miraculous. It didn’t excite me as a kid when I knew it was coming up, the problem was the travel time (on the road). At least 6 hours, if you were lucky, if not with bad traffic it could be 8-10 hours. All in one day.

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Big Changes

First of all I’m so happy to report there are so many more parishes (since my childhood), that is part of the Chinese Catholic Apostolate in the Philippines. From my understanding they are the parishes that serve our Filipino Chinese brethren. Needless to say, they welcome all races and genders but is just conscious (and celebrates) some of the Chinese cultural influence, traditions e.g.: connected Chinese schools etc.

Center: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, left: Saint Dominique of Guzman and right: Saint Francis of Asissi. Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Chinese Catholic Apostolate include parishes in nearly every city in the country from Naga (Our Lady of Fatima Church), Tuguegarao (Saint Rose of Lima Parish), Cebu (Ateneo De Cebu – Sacred Heart School) to Zamboanga (St. Joseph Spouse of the BVM Parish).

For a full list click on this link: http://www.claretianpublications.com/index.php/catholic-directory/diocese/chinese-filipino-catholic-apostolate-in-the-philippines/420

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SCTEX and TPLEX

Recently, with the completion of SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) and TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway), travel time to Manaoag from Manila has been cut to at least half. If it weren’t for a temporary bottleneck near Marilao, it would have taken us 2 hours total. Remember, it took us 6-8 hours, prior to the new expressways.

On our way home, Skyway Stage 3 also helped us jump over (avoid) the traffic in QC. When I saw a large SM Mall facade through the window, I thought it was SM North. But I was corrected by our driver who said it was SM Center Point in Sta Mesa. The ride home was so quick and easy, within a few minutes, we were emerging from an exit in Quirino Ave in Manila. This was immediately coming from NLEX (North Luzon Expressway). QC to Manila traffic would usually add another hour.

From left: Erlinda Bautista and Dely Imperial; Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

We were all shocked and surprised at how quick and easy the road trip was. The bottle neck area was where branches of trees from the side of NLEX were cut or collated presumably after a recent typhoon. For safety purposes, orange traffic cones were arranged for vehicles to avoid them which narrowed to one moving lane. I could live with that delay since it made the trip safer.

From left: Rose Lizo, Beth Javier, Ami Apostol, Arabelle Bautista and George Apostol. Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

Worth The Trip

On this ride, we were more than half a dozen: my mom Erlinda Bautista, her sister Ami Apostol and Husband George Apostol, other sister of my mom Elizabeth Javier, sister in law Rose Lizo and their cousin Dely Imperial.

As pricey as fuel has been, its negated by more passengers in Tito George’s Fortuner. Even with the added P450 toll way cost (each way), it’s not so prohibitive. Riding one of the bus lines from Manila, isn’t bad idea either and can even be cheaper. Log on to this site for directions and options to get there.

More Facilities

Manaoag itself, was almost unrecognizable from my youth. I remember the muddy hills we would stand in, hardly any structures except for the church. Now, there are large concrete steps with railings. Large signs designating entrance and exits, with anticipation of thousands of pilgrims.

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Behind the church are the Parish Office, Museum of Our Lady of The Rosary of Manaoag, Candle Gallery, Pilgrims’ Center and Rosary Garden. There is also an Information Center at the Priory at the left side of the church and souvenir shops at the front office of the church, beside the Veneration Room at the second floor behind the main sanctuary, and at the Candle Gallery in the space behind of the church. From: Wikiwand Manaoag Church

Candle Gallery, Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

Thankfully, there was a constant stream of people but not as chaotic or thick from my own recollections. As It was a week day. Of course, everyone’s favorite, there are also clean comfort rooms at the back of the church. If you find yourself falling in line for the CR look for the Canteen, which also has its own CR with fewer people.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag; Spanish: Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario de Manaoag. June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Call

Manaoag, refers to the Tagalog and Ilocano term ‘To Call’. “Centuries ago a farmer on his way to his farm one daybreak heard the virgin Mary calling him from the top of the tamarind tree (where the church is right now) instructing him to initiate the construction of the church. These days, thousands of devotees visit the town of Manaoag each day in response to the Virgin Mary’s tawag or “call”.

From left: Erlinda Bautista, Dely Imperial, Rose Lizo, Elizabeth Javier, Ami Apostol and George Apostol at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

The image of Mary itself is said to have been brought to the Philippine Islands by way of Acapulco, Mexico by Padre Juan de San Jacinto around 400 years ago. Folk history even declares that it was the Virgin herself that designated where the church to house her image was to be built. From: wikipilipinas Our Lady Of Manaoag Church

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The shrine’s elevation to a basilica (in 2015) recognizes the many miracles and extraordinary events that have taken place over centuries, inspiring greater devotion to the Lady of Manaoag, a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary. From: The Miraculous Our Lady of Manaoag, galalatravels.blogspot.com

From left: Arabelle Bautista, Councilor Ramon Bautista Jr (Jun), George Apostol and Yhel Fajardo. Jun and Yhel are the owners of HEALTHY CHOICES CAFÉ in Manaoag, Pangasinan, June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

Arabelle and Family

Fortunately for us, Tito George’s sister Arabelle Bautista, lives a few corners away from Manaoag Church. They hosted us with a sumptuous feast: fried Bangus, sinigang na bangus, tinolang manok (with free range chicken), Kalderetang Kambing, vegetarian versions of sisig and liempo.

Tinola with native chicken. Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

The vegetarian fare is from Arabelle’s son Councilor Ramon Bautista Jr. (Jun for short) who also runs a local restaurant called HEALTHY CHOICE CAFE. Jun told me that their vegetarian Shawarma is a top seller. The dessert was unforgettable, with fresh avocado and chico harvested from trees, right in their property.

From left: Councilor Ramon Bautista Jr., Ami Apostol, Yhel Fajardo, George Apostol, Beth Javier, Linda Bautista, Arabelle Bautista, Rose Lizo and Dely Imperial. Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

They served us a local delicacy that must not be missed by any visitor. That’s the Puto Calasiao, a very refined and softer version of puto (rice cake / rice muffin) with cheese in the middle. It was the healthiest and most delicious meal I’ve had in a long time.

The visit to Arabelle and family was a wonderful cap to our Manaoag trip. For anyone wanting to recharge spiritually, going there is well worth it.

Ina

Mom mentioned the belief that Ina will grant your wish / prayer, if her face appears bright. Meaning mother in Filipino, Ina is a term of endearment devotees call Our Lady Of Manaoag.

Through my lens, her face appeared bright, almost gleaming. Which I attributed to the brightness of the light encased within the glass. Only time will tell, however, if my petition was granted.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag; Spanish: Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario de Manaoag. June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

From left: Arabelle Bautista, Councilor Ramon Bautista Jr and George Apostol; Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Saint Dominique of Guzman; Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Saint Francis of Asissi; Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista (21)

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From left: Ami Apostol, Arabelle Bautista and Linda Bautista, Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

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From left: Beth Javier and Rose Lizo; Candle Gallery, Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

From left: Beth Javier and Rose Lizo; Candle Gallery, Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan; June 23, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista (27)

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