Category: Churches

TRAVEL : “I’ve Been There” – Naga City, Philippines

“Travel far enough, you meet yourself “- David Mitchell

“I love the feeling being anonymous in a city I’ve never been before” – anonymous

Traveling alone can be engaging and fun. But it depends on the place you want to go. To a place where it’s only me and my shadow are making the journey is somehow a gratifying adventure. Being adventurous is always an all-knowing task. Making it a point that you’re fully informed of the place you’re going to. Making sure that you are alert on other people’s advises. In my case, I searched the internet for possible advisories. I armed myself with enough instructions and tips about what, when, where, and how’s on my way to and back. Monetary considerations is always a must. To be a tourist in the eyes of my host is satisfying but I need to act both, a tourist and a traveler. I look braver as a traveler.

Excerpts from Wikipedia:

The Porta Mariae (Latin, “Marian Gate”) is a triumphal arch in Naga City commemorating the tercentenary of the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.[1][2][3]

“The arch, 18 metres (59 ft) wide, 4 metres (13 ft) deep and 11 metres (36 ft) high, is surmounted by a 10 feet (3 m) tall brass image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and two angels on each side. The main portal’s two small gates each accommodate three persons, while the central portal accommodates at least eight persons.“

“The arch was commissioned by the Archdiocese of Cáceres, and its construction was financed by the Peñafrancia Devotees of Metro Manila Foundation Inc. with General Salvador Mison as its director.[1] It was designed by architect Gian Paolo P. Priela and completed under the direction of engineer Noriel L. Villar. The Porta Mariae was blessed and inaugurated by Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi on 9 September 2010.[1]“

The first time I saw it, I wondered why they painted it black or somewhat like dark gray. Perhaps to look elegant and in harmony with the other colors of the surrounding which is gray.

This is the altar of the Basilica of Our Lady of Penafrancia . That’s me.

This is the glass dome fronting the Basilica.

There are other beautiful churches in Naga city worth visiting. This only proves that Naga city is a devoted Christian city. They are a very religious people and adhere to Christian values .

This is only a part of the travel.