Saint Raphael Church: Calaca, Batangas

Saint Raphael Church is an century-old church that is located in Calaca, Batangas. The church is under the patronage of St. Raphael, The Archangel, whose miraculous image is being venerated by the town's devotees as He is believed to be the saint of healing.

The feast of St. Raphael is originally falls during September 29 but celebrated in Calaca, Batangas during every 15th of October with the devotional tradition of Caracol de San Rafael.  

Altar of Veneration

Way of the Cross Garden

San Roque Parish Church: Lemery, Batangas

The first stone for the first provisional church was laid on November 18, 1868. The convent was finished ahead of the church, The work on larger church was commenced around 1879 by Fray Frederico Cortazar, which was finished in 1822. Fray Cortazar's convent was damaged after three years of occupation by American troops. The twin towers on the church was repaired about 1905 but were eventually demolished. The church itself and much of the convent died a slow death under the onslaught of modern tastes.   

San Roque and his dog!

Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay: Taal, Batangas

Our Lady of Caysasay is a Marian statue venerated at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay in Taal, Batangas. The image depicting the Immaculate Conception is believed to be one of the oldest in the country. It was found in 1603 by a man named Juan Maningcad while casting his net in the nearby Pansipit River. The miracles and healing attributed by the followers and devotees through the intercession of the Virgin of Casaysay since then, still continues to this day. 

The image was canonically crowned in 1954 and was later given the title "Queen of the Archdiocese of Lipa". The feast day of Our Lady of Caysasay is celebrated every December 8 and 9. The image spend half of her week in the Shrine of Caysasay and half of her week at the Basilica de San Martin de Tours to satisfy the need of the locals and devotees. 

You can actually hit the back of the church wherein there is this called "Pahalikan". It is where you can actually touch the statue and say a prayer then after that you can also buy religious items afterwards. 

Pilgrims 

Basilica of St. Martin de Tours: Taal, Batangas

The Basilica of St. Martin de Tours is being dubbed as the largest Catholic church in Asia. Its outstanding landmark is that it sits atop of a hill right at the center of the town. Its length is 96 meters and width of 48 meters it is impossible for anyone not to notice this structure. The fiesta of St. Martin de Tours is being celebrated during November 11. 

The two distinctive features of the basilica are the facade (which remind you the St. Peters Basilica in Rome, Italy) and the silver tabernacle (claimed to be only one of its kind in the country). Now take a lot of those shots I have taken during my pilgrimage in Batangas. 

The Altar

Often called the Taal Basilica, this church is among the most visited churches in Batangas province during Lenten Season. It is also popular for those couples who wants to tie the knot. 

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Church: Sta. Teresita, Batangas

St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish was established in September, 1943 in Barrio Sambat, Taal now Poblacion I, Sta. Teresita, Batangas. It became independent from Taal Parish upon consultation of Rev. Fr. Vicente R. Catapang, first parish priest, with the Vicar General Msgr. Alfredo A. Obviar and the approval of His Excellency Alfredo Versoza, Bishop of Lipa.  

At the time of Rev. Fr. Alberto B. Macalipay, the present site was acquired and the new church was constructed. This was blessed and dedicated on October 18, 1986 by the Archbishop Rocardo J. Vidal, D.D. assisted by Bishop Salvador Q. Quizon, D.D. On January 2, 2007 this was was decreed Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face by Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D. with Rev. Fr. Eriberto R. Cabrera, Parish Priest. 

Providentially, with its ninth parish priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Rodem C. Ramos and the leadership of the Parish Pastoral Council with Mrs. Elvira M. Reyes as President, massive renovation ensued. Higher roofing structure, demolition of the old convent for a bigger church and new alter were made in preparation for the 3rd Visit of the Pilgrim Relics of St. Therese on February 4-6, 2013 and the 70th inauguration of the parish in 2013. 

This heavenly endeavor was realized through the help of countless devotees especially the families of Mr. and Mrs. Rolando I and Emelita Salazar, Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo and Fe Casabuena and the Construction Committee. On this day, the 140th birthday of St. Therese, 2nd Day of January, year of our Lord 2013, the blessing and dedication of the Archdiocesan Shrine is officiated by His Excellency Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D., STL, Achbishop of Lipa. 

Immaculate Conception Church: Bauan, Batangas

It is a Roman Catholic church administered by the Augustinians from 1596 to the end of the 19th Century. Bauan Church was relocated three times. The present masonry of the church was built by Fr. Jose Victoria in 1692. The belfry features Gothic lancet-like windows, which breaks the neo-classic line of the main building. The church also features the hexagonal bell tower.  

The Baptismal Area

St. Joseph, The Patriarch Parish Church: San Jose, Batangas

St. Joseph Church was built by the Augustinian Friars around 1788. The church measures 60 meters long and 14 meters wide. It has a Baroque and neo-classic facade. The single-aisled interior offers an unobstructed view of the large main altar. The main altar is massive, with six rounded columns encircling the image of St. Joseph. The multi-tiered belfry was built in the later 19th century.   

The Main Altar

The Prayer Garden

Chapel of Saints