Visita Iglesia, the Holy Week tradition introduced by Augustinian missionaries in the 1560s, has always been the top-of-mind Lenten activity among Filipinos.
The practice of visiting, praying and reciting the Stations of the Cross in at least seven churches can, indeed, refresh one’s mind, as one can solemnly meditate the gift of gospel.
Lima Park Hotel, one of the topnotch hotels in Batangas loved for its relaxing and exclusive atmosphere matched with modern, chic design, understands how the tradition is close to the hearts of the Filipinos and reinvents this one by incorporating ecotourism, wellness and fitness into the old tradition through its annual faith tourism activity called “Bisikleta Iglesia.”
As the term suggests, Bisikleta Iglesia participants visit seven churches by pedaling their own bicycles. This year marks the fifth Bisikleta Iglesia event of Lima Park Hotel, wherein around 200 participants joined the organized 52-km bicycle ride around Malvar and Lipa. The participants were led by the “running priest,” Father Robert Reyes, who coined the event’s battle cry, “Padyak Na, Dasal Pa.” The event is an effort to further boost faith tourism in Batangas. Bisikleta Iglesia is part of Lima Park Hotel’s Bisita Batangas initiative, wherein the hotel encourages tourists from all over the Philippines to visit the province’s attractions.
“Lipa City in Batangas has been known as the ‘Little Rome of the Philippines’ because of its vast churches, seminaries, retreat houses and convents. Because of the short distance among these prayer sanctuaries, it is perfect to organize Bisikleta Iglesia here,” explained Rosalind Landicho, Lima Park Hotel Marketing and Communications director. “We started with just 20 participants five years ago, led by Lima Park Hotel Resident Manager Bong Evangelista and Lima Park Chef Paul Poblador, who wanted to do something different during Holy Week. It started with their love for biking, food and travel, and, of course, doing something unique with Visita Iglesia.”
This year the event had been even more polished, as 14 bike-riders were assigned as station leaders, as they carried their own stations of the cross. Prayer booklets were provided as well by Lima Park Hotel. Fr. Robert Reyes provided prayers and spiritual messages that also compare the challenges of a biker with a Christian’s common hardships in strengthening one’s faith.
“Next year, Lima Park Hotel’s Bisikleta Iglesia will lead the faith tourism efforts in Calabarzon all the more by guiding Luzon areas in organizing its own Bisikleta Iglesia events. Then, the following year, simultaneous Bisikleta Iglesia events nationwide will be held, and it is really exciting that we are taking the lead on that. The Department of Tourism [DOT] has also acknowledged our activities for faith tourism,” Landicho said.
One of the main faith tourism attractions in Batangas that really attracts thousands of visitors recently is the Marian Orchard in Balete. The Marian Orchard started as a private garden in 1988, owned by Lazaro “Ka Larry” Katigbak. Through the years, the place had been transformed into a lovely pilgrimage site, as Ka Larry was a known devotee of Mama Mary. In 2015 Ka Larry decided to partner with Marian Orchard Faith Foundation Inc., a sister group of Lima Park Hotel, with the vision of maintaining and improving the stunning sanctuary. In 2017 the DOT recognized Marian Orchard as one of the top faith tourism attractions in the country, as it boasted 220,000 visitors.
The Marian Orchard highlights the Sacred Heart Chapel in its 5-hectare area, as well as its clusters of charming gardens. Rosarium Garden takes pride in its huge, beautiful rosary aesthetic, while Villa Cruz is a linear garden that allows visitors to do some mini-hiking. The private pilgrimage site features various breeds of bougainvilleas, as well as other flowering plants. Recently, the place is famous for its “Instagrammable” features, but more important, for its spiritual, solemn vibe. The Marian Orchard is one of the stops of Lima Park’s Bisikleta Iglesia.
Other stops of the spiritual bike tour include Santo Niño Parish Church, Divino Amor Chapel-Redemptorist, Parish of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Monastery, Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian and Parish Church of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. Each one has its unique characteristics that truly encourage one to solemnly meditate and commemorate the perfect sacrifice of Christ. The Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian takes pride in its heavenly ceiling artworks and ornate retablo, while Parish Church of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus in Mount Malarayat boasts of its greeneries in the nearby golf course. Divino Amor Chapel-Redemptorist is famous for its tree trunk with the image of Jesus Christ’s face, while Our Lady of Mount Carmel Monastery has been popular for its miracles of the rose petals, wherein devotees claim that the face of Mama Mary can be seen in the church’s rose petals.
“Aside from leading the nationwide Bisikleta Iglesia events nationwide in the coming years, we are looking forward to Fr. Reyes’s customized biker’s prayers next year. It truly is an honor to take the lead in boosting the country’s faith tourism efforts, “ Landicho said.
Image credits: Edison Manalo of WOWBatangas.com