Every year, Aunt Julie would always drop by Manaoag Church in Pangasinan to say a prayer of gratitude. Normally, she does it on her birthday, but because a typhoon passed by north-west of the country, so we really thought the whole trip would be cancelled. Thank heavens the skies started to clear up the day before the trip, we all decided to push through with our plan no matter what.

We were supposed to take the 6:30AM bus trip, but when we got to the bus stop at about 6:20AM, one man told us the bus just passed by. We are a family who only takes Viron Transit whenever we’re here, so we had no choice but to wait for the next bus. I don’t know why we always tend to miscalculate the time. It’s either we’re late, or we’re super early. Poof!

The next bus was late. It arrived 7:45AM, I think, and we had to stand inside the bus until we reached the San Fernando sub-station. We were lucky to secure a seat in the front row (Aunt Julie and I sat just behind the driver) so we can clearly see the view.

*** the bus we took. pretty, eh? ***

Talking about the view… we were all in awe for the establishments and houses devastated by the typhoon. I guess it was the scenery that caused us so much time in travelling because the driver kept on acting as a tour guide pointing at the houses with no roofs, etc!

We reached Binalonan at 11AM (see how long it took us?) and took a very slow jeepney to the church. We were still lucky to hear the last mass though. One thing I don’t understand… why is there a need for the ropes (or whatever) along the aisles of the church? Do they really think people were that misbehaved or something? Hmmm…

Here are some pictures:

*** the facade ***

*** the altar ***

*** the rope… what’s the purpose? ***

After the mass, Aunt Julie and her “friend” went outside to light a candle while brother and I checked other places first, for pictures’ sake. We met them by the candle station (I don’t know what the place was called). Aunt Julie handed us our candles so we don’t have to line up and buy for candles. We were supposed to check the rosary park but it was closed. Actually, we also weren’t able to check the church’s shop upstairs because it was already lunch time.

The candle station I found nice and interesting. Under the rack where you place your lit candle is a pool of water, maybe (possibly) so that the staff can gather all the wax and recycle them into new candles! Wonderful, eh? At least the wax got to serve its purpose over and over again, and in return, it provides financial help to maintain the church.

*** see the pool of water underneath? ***

*** me & aunt julie. to the left of the pic was the rosary park; to the right, the candle station ***

We were told that the rosary park will open by 1PM. Aunt Julie asked if I still want to check it otherwise we will go our way to Urdaneta, Pangasinan to eat lunch at Magic Mall and do groceries. I told her might as well wait ’til the park opens, after all, we were all there and it’s not everyday that we’re there — we have to seize the moment.

We just had lunch in Chowking and ordered the meal for moms (lol). It was a nice lunch — not so salty and that one of the dishes was actually fish and tofu, so it’s still good. Of course, Aunt Julie paid for it. Thanks a lot for the treat, Aunt Julie!

Some parting shots:

*** the church’s facade taken from chowking restaurant. the rows of umbrellas on the middle are vendors selling different things — from religious items, to fruits, to drinks. ***

*** the lunch: pancit canton, fish & tofu, and sweet & sour pork good for four (sorry for the poor pic, the table was crowded) ***

After lunch, we went back to the church to check out the rosary park. All that and more next post.

*** Jenn ***

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag
Manaoag, Pangasinan
20 May 2008