Perfect for prayer and play: Five underrated Holy Week destinations

After Christmas, the most awaited season for Filipinos is Lent. Many use this time, particularly Holy Week, to escape their distress and stress over life in Metro Manila and other major cities and seek the promised comfort and freedom of the provinces. Indeed, Holy Week is the perfect time to rest and reflect, one that combines solemn religious observance and a summer vacation. 

Mindful of this precious period, real-estate website MyProperty has listed some of the country’s relatively less-crowded places that people can retreat to, in the fullest sense of the word. Spending time in any of these five lesser-known, but no less beautiful destinations, would not only renew your well-being, but also your faith.

Siquijor 

Located just across Negros island, the bewitching island-province of Siquijor—once called Isla del Fuego or “Island of Fire” by the Spaniards—boasts of several magazine-worthy tourist spots. These include the pristine beaches of San Juan municipality; the centuries-old St. Francis of Assisi Church in Siquijor town; and the Spanish-colonial-era St. Isidore the Farmer Church and its massive convent in Lazi municipality. This province also boasts of a butterfly sanctuary, as well as breathtaking waterfalls and springs.

Wonderful as these spots are, Siquijor is best known for the alternative—some say, mystical—healing methods practiced by some of the locals. It’s during Holy Week that they hold their Healing Festival. This four-day festival opens with a celebration of the Holy Mass and includes healing sessions, exploring Cantabon Cave, and trekking to Mount Bandilaan.

Tarlac 

If there’s one province that can be considered as the country’s version of the Holy Land, it’s Tarlac. Just 30 minutes away from the province’s main highway and found on top of a mountain in Bamban town are life-sized tableaus of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, and images highlighting a number of Biblical verses. Also seen at the site is a 40- foot crucifix and a replica of His tomb.

Likewise, Tarlac should be added to anyone’s bucket list, as some of the most thrilling tourist experiences people can have can be found here, including those offered by the Mount Pinatubo trek adventure and Kart City. Museums and waterfalls can also be visited in the province to help ensure a worthwhile time for vacationers.

Cagayan 

One place that is becoming popular with tourists is Cagayan province, partly because it is blessed with well-preserved white-sand beaches. One of them is at Palaui Island in Sta. Ana municipality, which the Cable News Network (CNN) hailed for its “raw beauty” and named as one of the top 10 beaches in the world in 2013.

Besides beaches, Cagayan has appropriate places for those who want to observe Holy Week more closely.

Then there are Calvary Hills in Iguig municipality, which features life-sized tableaus of the 14 Stations of the Cross, as well as the century-old San Antonio de Galica Church. The best thing about this church is that it sits on a hill that presents unobstructed views of the Cagayan River.

Zamboanga City 

If you’re in Zamboanga City during Holy Week, you can go on a trek while observing local religious customs. At Mount Pulong Bato in the city’s Abong-abong Park, performing the Stations of the Cross begins at the foot of the mountain and ends at the peak. Religious images are scattered on or carved into the mountainside to enhance the experience.

Apart from Pulong Bato, Zamboanga City is also home of a large number of natural and man-made attractions that can add worth to one’s meaningful vacation. Carreon, Congo, Nancy, Busay, and Merloquet Falls are just some of the absolute must-sees in the city, in addition to beaches and neighboring islands.

Iloilo 

If you want to take the typical Visita Iglesia tour a notch higher, then you should visit Iloilo province. Touring the centuries-old churches there is a must if you’re serious about reflecting on the world-changing events of Holy Week. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles in Iloilo City’s Jaro district and St. Anne Church in Molo district, as well as St. Thomas of Villanova Church in Miag-ao town and St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church in Guimbal municipality, are among the must-see houses of worship you must visit while in the province.

After church-hopping, you can take a short boat ride to nearby Guimaras, which was once part of Iloilo. This island-province, which is famous for its mangoes, offers tourists different aquatic adventures, as well as marine sanctuaries, limestone formation, and isolated beaches and coves. TMM