bamboo organ church

LAST DAY!!! YEY!! we decided to drive all the way to the bamboo organ church in las pinas for the last day of simbang gabi. it didn't seem so far without any traffic anyway. like all the other churches we've been to, it was filled to the brim. the altar was actually moved to the entrance of the church so that more people (outside the church) could hear mass. it was a bit disappointing though that they didn't actually use the bamboo organ - hehe :) but thankfully, it was probably most entertaining homily of all the 9 days.

the bamboo organ is made almost entirely of bamboo and used about 902 bamboo pipes...





the altar




candles



tree of parols...


outside the church



YEY!!!

nuestra senora dela paz y bien viaje

day 8: Antipolo Church where the original Nuestra Senora del Paz y Bien Viaje sits. She was brought from Mexico in 1626 and was turned over to the Jesuits for the Church of Antipolo in 1632.

there is the statue perched on top of the altar (sorry so tiny)...


walking up to the church




the sea of people hearing mass outside (via a large screen projector!)


inside the church...




one more day to go!!!

nuestra senora de guadalupe

day 7: The foundations of the church and monastery in Guadalupe were laid in 1801, and construction finished in 1829.

sunday

day 6: biked to familiar De La Strada church outside La Vista to catch the 4:30am mass so i could get to UP in time for the 6am bike out....



i've always liked this church's roof...


i love the hanging white christmas decors....


after mass, i was able to get about 10 mins nap on a bench in UP before the other bikers came :) we loaded our bikes and took them all the way to Sta. Inez in Tanay, Rizal.

we must have crossed about 10 rivers on the trail.....


to get to our sumptuous "baon" lunch of laing, lechon, pandesal, hotdogs, siomai, chicken, spaghetti, anything anyone could bring basically - hehe.


and the beautiful, "invigorating" (super cold) waterfalls....




perfect way to spend a sunday!
i'm dead tired....

pasig cathedral

simbang gabi day four: pasig cathedral or immaculate conception cathedral. its one of only 3 cathedrals in manila. (manila, pasig and st. andrews in paranaque). the original was church built in 1521.

i love the church's exterior, but the interiors were not as impressive. what was really impressive was that there were TONS of people at church today. it looked like there was a rock concert. the church and the plaza outside were packed with young people!

san sebastian

simbang gabi, day three: san sebastian church. the only gothic church in manila; built in 1891, the entire church is uniquely made of steel (from Belgium).

the outside of the church has been repainted but i think i would've preferred if they kept it in its natural tarnished steel state, just like the interiors


ceiling details...




floor...


painted walls...


pulpit...


after mass...




puto bumbong!!