Prayer Mountain is a nice place to spend in if you just want to pray, mostly in a prayer cell (yes,…read morethey have prayer cells with Bibles here), then go out from time to time to commune with nature. If you're just staying for the day, as I did, entrance is at P70. There are options to stay overnight, though. I scouted this place as a possible venue for a workshop. There were tall bamboos among the cemented paths, and some cottages. Then there's a big patch of green grass dotted by gazebos. The grounds are not so big, though. The place is great for prayer (since they have prayer cells), though not for long walks in nature, as there is not much area to walk around. They have a cafeteria, and the food seems good. I only tried the suman, but it was very rich and tasty. But then again, suman is an Antipolo delicacy.

What can I say? It's one of the most beautiful churches around the metro. It's huge in size, can…read moreaccommodate a large group of church goers, and airconditioned (a great bonus). What I love about this church is how beautiful the ceremonies are especially during the Holy Week. My family never fails to spend the first 2 days of the Easter Triduum at Christ the King because of the solemnity. It's extremely difficult to find parking during the Holy Week though, but on normal Sundays, you can find parking space 30 minutes before the mass. It's always difficult to leave the parking lot, though. I suggest you park nearest to the exit, and once the mass is over, sprint towards your car to leave ahead of everyone else.

I'm not Catholic, so I can't comment on the quality of the sermons here or anything in relation to…read moretheology, but I've been here on more than several occasions for wakes, baptisms, internments, masses, weddings and more. It was always a pleasant experience, emotions aside, from an objective standpoint. The staff here has done a fantastic job at maintaining the cleanliness, tidiness and brightness of the place. It feels very welcoming. Having said that, I would not hesitate for a second to recommend Christ the King as a venue for any of the aforementioned life or death events. Ample parking is available as well.

I'm not really amused by chapels inside shopping malls. In Christianity, there's this story about…read moreJesus Christ cleansing the Temple of people who turned it into a marketplace. But I digress. What I really wanted to say is that, finally, there's a mall chapel that I'm willing to favor. The San Pedro Calungsod Chapel at SM Aura Premier is unlike other places of worship inside malls. For one, there are no retailers or restaurants near the chapel. True, the Samsung Hall (a performance theater) is located on the same floor but it's on the far opposite side of a garden strip. The chapel is an ideal place for devout senior citizens, especially during summer, because it's air-conditioned and easily accessible. There is a small elevator on the 5th floor exclusively servicing churchgoers. But during my visit, I opted to use the stairs instead to allow more space to the senior citizens who were lining up for the elevator. It was a steep climb but it was worth all my effort. The dome-shaped chapel is a feast for the eyes. Its modern architecture and the bright ambient lighting give it that holy ground glow which is nothing short of spectacular. Everything in it -- from the simple altar to the amphitheater layout and the great acoustics -- can surely move a person to be silent and say a prayer or two. Masses are held twice a day at 12:00 noon and 6:00pm from Mondays to Saturdays. During Sundays, five masses are held and scheduled at 10:00am, 12:00 noon, 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm. Confessions are held daily after each mass. Baptisms, confirmations, and weddings are not allowed in the chapel.

It's so easy to be calm and holy when you're in Tagaytay. Probably because of the cold breeze that…read moremakes us feel relaxed or the astounding view that makes us contemplate on God's beautiful creations. Tagaytay is home to a lot of retreat houses, convents and beautiful churches and chapels. One of my favorites is Chapel on the Hill. The place is actually located in Batulao, Batangas, but Tagaytay practically adopted that area because it's so close to their vicinity. Chapel on the Hill is a favorite for destination weddings because of its quaint interiors (no need for over the top styling as this place is already so lovely), the seating capacity is perfect for intimate celebrations (up to 200 persons can be accommodated inside the chapel), the lush greenery outside the church, and an access to a scenic view of the valley. Everything about Chapel on the Hill provides a beautiful backdrop for a dream wedding. But even without a grand event, it's still a nice place to visit for reflection when you go to Tagaytay.

Holy Rosary Church is the epitome of a historical cathedral that has survived through the ages…read more The bells first rang in 1896 and since then, the cathedral has survived through World War II, the Japanese occupation, and more. Personally, this church is meaningful for me because it's the one in which my parents and their families grew up. I remember vaguely visiting this place as a child and recently got to visit it again as an adult. There is so much history here and you can see the Spanish influences in the architecture. There was a nun practicing on the organ the day that I came here with my father to tour the cathedral and that made the visit even more beautiful. I highly recommend a visit to this lovely place even if you're not Catholic; the history of Angeles and the influence of the Spaniards' rule is evident within its walls.

The Philippines has no lack of religious and spiritual attractions, and Tagaytay is one of them. It…read morealso has a lot of meditation centers, shrines, and churches where you can find peace and solace. The tranquil Catholic church is the best church of them. It is the best paradise for prayers and reflection. Our Lady of Manaoag, Tierra de Maria, is a gorgeous shrine that epitomizes the aura of serenity and peace. It is a red/brown statue of Mother Mary standing 50 ft. tall, something which can't be missed. The walls decked with dried flowers and vivid images genuinely add to the beauty of the chapel, and the exquisite surroundings of the church add up to its grace and appeal. Our Lady of Manaoag is also known to be an ideal place of healing, relaxation, and meditation. One can easily miss this place as it is on a busy road with only on street parking available. It is a small chapel right across the DAP complex. It has a small chapel with a huge image of Our Lady of Manaoag in the exterior Inside the chapel there are images of the many variants of Virgin Mary, like in Lourdes, as Mother of Perpetual Help, Carmel and Guadalupe. The chapel is quiet and solemn and is a place for meditation. The small store in front should have been enough for the place and the ambulant vendors in the side are not really needed

You've probably seen this chapel in movies, most notably in that Aga Muhlach-Regine Velasquez…read morestarrer from long ago. If you've been wondering where it is, you're in luck 'cause I'm about to tell you. Nestled in Mount Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna, about a 15-minute drive up the mountain from the University of the Philippines Los Banos, is Saint Marc's Chapel a.k.a. the National Arts Center Chapel, an open air beauty that would blow your breath away. Made primarily of stone and concrete, the altar, pews, and the ceiling/roof (if you could call it that) with an unconventional (read: artistic) giant cross designed by no less than National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin, the chapel is surrounded by forest. Words are not adequate to capture the tranquility and magic of the place so, no worries, I'll throw in a few photos. Regular Masses are not held here, though, but the Chapel may be booked (through the Cultural Center of the Philippines, if I'm not mistaken) for Masses or weddings. This is the perfect wedding venue for the lover of nature and art. If you're lucky, the nearby fire trees may be in full bloom during your special day and you could get to march to your beloved on a carpet of red and yellow.

I've only been to Sanctuario De San Antonio Parish exactly two times - both was to attend a…read morewedding. My first experience was when I was a wedding guest and my brother was part of the wedding entourage. I was immediately impressed upon entering the sacred venue, high walls, cosy structure and long aisle. It seemed like Sanctuario De San Antonio was made for weddings. It also helped that the place was fully aircondtioned. I can imagine how hard it must be for brides to walk down the aisle in scorching heat. Aircon is definitely a must when I get married. My second time at this church was when I was part of the entourage of my friend's wedding. I was quite excited to walk down the aisle and have the feeling of being enveloped by the church. Yet again, I was impressed by everything the church had to offer. Good sound system, good ventilation and a feeling of exclusivity and sanctuary. Sanctuary De San Antonio is definitely one of my favourite churches in Manila.

If there's one thing I love about San Antonio Parish, it's their area for crypts. Yes, it sounds so…read moremorbid... but to be completely honest, I love how they have one of the most conveniently located and well-maintaned crypts that I have been to. I have many relatives buried here, so I frequent this place a lot. Besides their location, I like how their crypts are neatly lined up in rows, with no frills around them. The floors are always clutter-free and the crypts are also cleaned regularly. They make sure to remove any wilted flowers/plants, in case you are not able to visit right away to remove the trash yourself. They also have fans in each hallway to make it breathable for visitors. I used to dread visiting relatives in other cemeteries, but now that most are in San Antonio, I don't mind it at all and even find myself visiting more often than I normally would.