Preparations for May Upcoming

by: Charlene Bolanos

by: Charlene Bolanos

May is famous for Pilgrimages
dedicate to the Queen Mother, Mary.

Take time to go to the best places
of visiting Pilgrim sites of the Blessed
Mother this May.

Here are some famous historical places
that are visited by millions from all
over the world when they visit the
Philippines.

1. Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan. We go here to spend some
time to our Lady. It is so easy to go to this place now. A friend of
my tita said Our Lady who is our loving mother never fails to
answer her prayers. She is not the only one who had this happy
experience, but most of us who dared to believe.

This is now a Basilica as many people flock this place.

It is best to visit when its early morning because it is still
summer and can be very warm.

You can take Dagupan bus that stops right in front of
the Basilica. This is 3 hours from Cubao, Q.C.

How to Get to Manaoag from the
Short Term Stay in Novaliches

1. Take UV Express to Cubao.
2. Go Down to Dagupan Bus in Cubao
3. Ride the bus going to Manaoag.
This is going to be 3 hours ride.

Going back:

Step 1. Take the same bus going to
Cubao.

Step 2. Take the UV Express or taxi
going back to the self catering
apartment in novaliches

2. Our Lady of La Naval

The famous pilgrim site in Quezon City. Our Lady is also
the patron of Quezon City.

Our Lady of La Naval is placed in the famous national
heritage at Sto. Domingo Church. The image of our
Lady is elegantly dressed.

You can actually kissed her mantle.

We don't and never worship the image. Its a reminder
of someone we love, the Queen mother who never
forsake the Philippines.

The Philippines won the famous battle against
the invasion of the Dutch. The Archbishop of Manila
rallied for prayers all over Manila as the Spanish and
Filipino Naval Soldiers fight against the
invading foreigners.

I think we need to start again praying intensely
for the upcoming years to come. The devotion
must be revived immediately.

You can reach our Lady of La Naval by taking
UV Express going to Quiapo at SM North Edsa.
Fare is at 35.oo pesos.

Inform the driver that you will go down at Sto. Domingo.

If you are lucky you might have a chance to kiss the
relic of St. Albert the Great and St. Thomas Aquinas
which is sometimes shown to the pilgrims.

3. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Chosen as a jubilee site, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
is visited by many people from all walks of life.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is also a monastery of Carmelite
monks.

This is located in San Juan.


Another event that is famous in the Philippines is when
young women and young men celebrate the Santa Cruzan.

Sancta Cruzan

Ladies starting 16 and 20's are chosen to march representing
Queen Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine to celebrate
the founding of the true Cross.

St. Helena and her cohort march all the way from
Rome to Calvary to find the true cross.

It was told through history that in order to locate the true cross
a dead body of a young man was laid among the three
crosses found in calvary.'

The dead body of the young man when laid in
the true cross came to life. This historical fact
was written and attested.

Painting of  St. Helena in Santa Croce 

St. Helena was a Christian, whose son was
the Emperor Constantine.

Constantine though a great emperor, was never
a Christian, but he used the cross as the emblem of
his entourage during the great battle of
the Roman Empire. He won many wars
and brought peace for a long time in Ancient Rome.
Constantine did not have a chance to talk to
St. Athanasius...


The founding of the True Cross is celebrated
all over the world. The Philippines celebrates
this important event every May.

If you are in the Philippines during the month of May,
there are still lots of things to expect!

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