7 Destinations You Should Visit This Semana Santa

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What are your plans this Holy Week? Be a Catholic or not, these spots are good destinations for a relaxing long weekend.

By:  Ma. Era Cecilia Nunag

Every Holy Week, many Filipinos take the chance to travel or to relax for a whole week at home. But for devout Catholics, it’s the time for prayer, and for many, the perfect time to go on a Visita Iglesia.

The Philippines is ripe with religious destinations. Around Manila alone, pilgrims can visit beautiful churches and shrines to do their Stations of the Cross.

If you’re still unsure where to go for your yearly Visita Iglesia, these destinations can be easily reached from the metro.

 National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Antipolo, Rizal

Also known as the Virgin of Antipolo, the statue of the Black Madonna is a wooden image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, brought to the country in 1626 aboard the galleon Almirante. The 17th century image has been attracting devotees since the 19th century, and it is believed to be miraculous. Even during the construction of the church, the statue would mysteriously disappear and would be found on top of a tipolo tree. The statue had been temporarily placed in Cavite and even brought back to Mexico a couple of times, but it’s now in its permanent home in Antipolo, Rizal.

 

Banal na Bunduk Dalan Ning Krus, Mt. Arayat, Magalang, Pampanga

Banal na Bunduk Dalan Ning Krus, or Holy Mountain Way of the Cross,  is found at the foot of Mt. Arayat. Life-sized statues depicting the 14 stations of the cross lead the way to the mountain summit. Devotees who seek to pray and to sacrifice can consider this destination.

 

Monasterio De Tarlac, San Jose, Tarlac 

Located at Brgy. Lubigan San Jose, Tarlac’s Eco-Tourism Park, Monasterio de Tarlac was constructed to serve as hermitage for monks. Now, it also stands as a popular place of worship for Catholics. The church’s proud white façade is a welcoming sight after a long journey to the province.

There’s also a 30-foot high statue of the Risen Christ, which is reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer.

 

Kamay ni Hesus Shrine, Lucban, Quezon

Kamay ni Hesus Shrine located at the foot of Mt. Banahaw in Quezon is not just known for its towering 50-ft statue of the Ascending Christ and 305-step grotto with statues of the Stations of the Cross. It’s also a favourite destination of many Catholics for the healing masses led by healing priest Rev. Fr. Joseph Ayala Faller.

For those looking for a spiritual retreat, Noah’s Ark was constructed to provide sanctuary and guidance to lost or tired souls.

 

 Regina Rica Queen of the Holy Rosary, Tanay, Rizal

The astounding 71-foot-tall statue of the Queen of the Holy Rosary is a sight to behold once you enter the compound. Devotees flock the 14-hectare sanctuary managed by Dominican sisters to pray, to contemplate, and to see for themselves the bigger-than-life statue of the Queen. The place of worship has a waterfall, a creek, and an estimate of 10,000 trees, helping devotees commune with God and with nature.

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan

A well-known religious and ecological destination in Bulacan, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto is a replica of France’s Lourdes grotto. For faith seekers doing Visita Iglesia, the 14 Stations of the Cross are depicted through life-sized statues at Calvary Hill.  There’s also a Rosary Hill featuring 155 large beads, and a natural spring known to have healing powers is located below the Our Lady statue. 

Tatlong Krus, Paete, Laguna

Tatlong Krus (three cross) sits on mount Humarap overlooking Laguna de Bay Paete, Laguna. This place has stunning views and during Holy hundreds of people take a two hour hike to reach this place.

 

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10 Famous World Destinations That ACTUALLY Look-A-Like Of Local Destinations In The Philippines

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Do you have a dream? What’s your dream? A nice job? A beautiful house? A Luxury car? A sweet family? Everyone has a dream, and many of us dream is to Travel-Around-The-World.

By: Era Nunag

It's sounds impossible for most of us who hold "Third World Passport" ... but believe it or not when i say "IT'S Possible" IT'S-POSSIBLE. *wink

But of course… I understand that this can be a big ‘leap’ so if you are not ready or if you don’t have enough resources yet to start a traveling lifestyle like I do, it’s definitely alright! Besides, did you know that just by traveling around the Philippines, it can already make you feel that you are traveling to foreign countries?

Yes, it can! In fact, below are some of the 10 great and famous destinations abroad that you can actually somehow find within the Philippines!

Truly, there won’t really be the need for you to travel too far because we might just have it all!

NOTE: This is inspired by a video that I saying occurring for my Facebook feed that has been going viral lately.  Also, this is NOT an article that wishes to focus roughly comparisons or imitations. I absolutely know that the Philippines has its own charm. I just actually wrote this blog considering the easy goal of demonstrating that the country can be VISUALLY diverse and this is not single-handedly due to the influences of tallying cultures or countries, but along with mostly due to the incredible terrains and landscapes that the Philippines naturally has.

1. Rio De Jainero, Brazil (Above) Monasterio De Tarlac, Philippines (Below)

2. Santorini, Greece (Above) Camp Netanya Batangas, Philippines (Below)

 3. Bahamas (Above) Boracay, Philippines (Below)

4. China Temple (Above) Taoist Temple Cebu, Philippines (Below) 

5. Las Vegas (Above) City Of Dreams Manila, Philippines (Below) 

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6. Keukenhof Netherlands (Above) Sirao Flower Farm Cebu, Philippines (Below)

7. Maldives (Above) Huma Island Palawan, Philippines (Below) 

8. Portugal (Above) Poracay Pampanga, Philippines (Below) 

9. Spain (Above) Calle Crisologo Vigan, Philippines (Below)

10. Venice, Italy (Above) Venice Grand Canal Taguig, Philippines (Below) 

 You can clearly see by now that the Philippines can be a world of its own — it is such a big melting pot of various worldly scenery.

As we always say, ITS MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES! So you don’t really need to leave the country.

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This Pure Blooded Filipina Who Hails From Tarlac Is The Ellen Degeneres Nanny

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Nothing's wrong with being a nanny. We have many things to offer the world that's so true.

By: Era Nunag

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are modern-day heroes. You leave your country to secure your family's future to go to a job that requires you to take care of another family. Everyday, our OFWs show the meaning of empathy, generosity and compassion; in fact, they exemplify the way Filipinos love, treating their "alagas" as their own. There are so many of them, but here's a famous personality named Ellen Degeneres who have spoken highly about her Filipina nanny and the impact they have made in their family's lives.


The full-blooded Pinay, whose real name is Luzviminda Casimiro, "Mindy" is a pure blooded Filipina who hails from Tarlac. Her husband, Joel "Boyet" Casimiro, also works for Ellen as a driver. They have been working for TV host-comedian Ellen DeGeneres for about ten years already.



Mindy’s latest assignment involved interviewing Hollywood stars after they won their coveted trophies. She was able to chat with Jim Parsons, Melissa McCarthy, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell and Guy Pearce.

Wearing a white T-shirt and beige slacks, Mindy started her segment by putting on huge drop earrings.

Her first guest was Jim Parsons, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Big Bang Theory. As he sat down for the interview, he politely told the Filipina, "Nice to meet you."

Mindy enthusiastically told the actor, "I’m so excited when Ellen told me, ’Mindy, you’re going to the Emmy’s to interview big celebrities’ and now here I am, I’m in front of you."

Jim responded by saying, "I’m nervous to meet you ’coz you work for Ellen."

Mindy Kaling the Filipina Maid of Ellen Degeneres got it’s own segment on the Ellen DeGeneres show. The show entitled “Mindy’s Movie Minute” will feature the Filipina housemaid of Ellen on her hilarious reviews of the movies that was released on the box office.

Watch:

The hands that rocks the cradle rules the world. Here are 5 famous personalities around the world who have nothing but praise for Filipino nannies:

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This Resort & Hotel In Bamban, Tarlac Is A Taste Of Rome in Italy

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If you have a heart that aches for Rome, but Bamban, Tarlac will do... for now!

By: Era Nunag

Photo by: We Wanderr PH

Goshen Hotel and Resort -  you can get a taste of Colosseum (also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheatre in the centre of the city in Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and sand, it is the largest amphitheatre ever built.)  just in Bamban, Tarlac.  With Colosseum on the bucket lists of many, what would it feel like if you got a slice of that even for an overnight weekend at lesser cost?

You don’t have to spend a lot to get that. Situated in Brgy, Lourdes the unassuming facade opens up to a refreshing experience.  Bamban is most commonly known for Our Lady of Lourdes Pilgrims.

And when I say the European ambiance there is amazing… it's really A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

The rooms are really nice and so are the bathrooms.  If you’re looking to stay in the whole weekend, the rooms are perfect for relaxing too.

What you would like the most when you look outside the windows you can get a view like this.

Definitely a place to relax this summer! The pool and accommodations are well setup and maintained for a refreshing Europe-ish experience.

More Photos and Price Here:

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Looking For Cheap But Awesome Nature Adventure In Tarlac? Visit Tibagan, Tarlac City!

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It's Open and It's Free!

Blogged By: Era Nunag

Photos: Patrick Panag

Tibagan is one of the Barangay in Tarlac City. The Tibagan river is one of the hidden falls in Tarlac that other "Tarklakenyo didn't know or undiscovered.

The rise of low-cost carriers had made this world a lot smaller and interesting destinations closer. The distant islands north and south have become easily accessible to Philippines-dwellers, who are eager to escape the heat of the city to a paradise that can give them a relaxing and exciting affair with nature. (Or, in some cases, just an affair.) Flying is relatively cheap now. But with all the surcharges, taxes, terminal fees, and the cost of land or boat transfers, the trip that is opened at an airport can still be quite heavy on the pocket.

Tibagan  River may be just another River to many but it is the getting there that makes a visit an unforgettable experience.

There’s a thrill-seeking explorer in everyone just raring to come out. But for the lot of us with “normal” jobs, our days are usually spent behind a desk without having so much as a glimpse of the sun.

So when the long weekends and holidays come rolling around, the usual thing to do now is to book a flight away from the concrete jungle or to make a long drive to a place where nature is abundant. We then come back to the office feeling a bit more refreshed but also with an itch for another adventure.

Tibagan Mountain is a great place to start for wannabe mountaineers. The 811-meter climb is challenging enough to get your heart pumping, but not too difficult that you can’t make it all the way up. A tour guide isn’t even necessary for the trek because it’s a straightforward route.

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BREAKING: Motor Accident In Brgy. San Manuel Near TPLEX

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Tarlac, Philippines - An Unidentified man died after his single motorcycle (Plate number CC31732) crashed in Barangay San Manuel near TPLEX

Photo by: Jc Dumandan

The man declared dead on arrival at the Tarlac Provincial  Hospital. He suffered severe head injuries. His right limb was also amputated in the accident.

Authorities are still verifying whether the victim is under the influence of alcohol.

No full report of police have been reported as of posting time.

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Meet The First Ever Woman Who Celebrated Her 18th Birthday In MOA Arena

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Her: "Mom i want pasabog na debut."
Her Mom: "Ipapa-MOA Arena natin yan!"


She's the first ever debutante to do so!

Photo by: Niceprintphoto

On a scale of one to "I'm the first debutante to celebrate my birthday at the MOA Arena," how did you spend your 18th birthday? We ask because we recently found out about 18-year-old Dian Serranilla's debut, which was held at the MOA Arena no less. We were so curious about what made her choose to spend it there that we got in touch with her to ask for more details.

Here's what went down at her 18th birthday:

Her debut was all about fashion.

"New York Fashion Week was the theme."

Dian and her family chose the venue based on the theme's specifications.

"MOA Arena was the top choice because the venue met all the specifications needed for the stage and everything else."



The MOA Arena wasn't exactly their first choice.

"The debut we were dreaming of needed a high ceiling and the other venues we were eyeing did not meet the specifications."

They did not fill up the entire arena with guests.

"More or less a thousand guests attended."

One of the reasons she had a grand celebration was to reconnect with everyone.

"We are a big family and we all had guests to invite. Since it is the last debut for my immediate family, we wanted to reconnect with everyone."

Photo by: Niceprintphoto

Dian and her guests got dolled up by MAC Cosmetics.

Thank you, @maccosmetics for dolling me and my guests up! The night would not be complete without you! @emerbuenaventura 😘

A post shared by Dian Serranilla (@dianserranilla) on Mar 31, 2017 at 8:01am PDT

To say that Dian made a ~*grand*~ entrance is an understatement.

Photo by: Niceprintphoto

She wore an Albert Andrada for her opening number.

Thank you, tito @albertandrada for my opening outfit and 18 roses gown. You make me feel confidently beautiful, as always. 👸🏻

A post shared by Dian Serranilla (@dianserranilla) on Mar 30, 2017 at 3:19am PDT

Her ball gown was by Ezra Santos.

Guests were entertained by different production numbers by Dian's family and friends.

One of the special moments of the night was when she got a puppy from her boyfriend.

My two favorites in the whole wide world 😍

A post shared by Dian Serranilla (@dianserranilla) on Apr 2, 2017 at 3:58am PDT

Overall, Dian and her family were quite happy with how the event turned out. 

"It was very overwhelming but it is the debut we were all dreaming of. Words cannot suffice #DVSaDecadeAndEight. The debut exceeded all our expectations."


If you're wondering how they were able to pull off or afford such a big and grandiose event, it's because Dian's family's businesses include producing concerts (remember when Kanye was here?), among many other things. As for the expenses, let's just say they've worked so hard for it.

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This article actually from Candy Magazine

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