Welcome to the Adventures of the Agnostic Catholic! This is where I review some of the churches…read moreI've been to and known, minus the point of view of a committed member of an organized religion. Santa Maria Della Strada Parish Church is not very well-known, despite the fact that it's just along Katipunan. It's the type of structure we pass by and go, "Oh. It's a church pala." PROS: Location-wise, it's quite accessible. It's right next to UP Town Center, and it's the only Catholic church I know that's along Katipunan (except for the church inside ADMU); I have a thing for low, circular churches like this one. I like those modern architectural and interior designs for churches because it enables ventilation and maximizes the view of the altar during religious ceremonies. CONS: On Sundays, traffic gets pretty heavy and roads get clogged along Katipunan and Pansol avenue. It's not very crowded inside the church itself, but it's a little difficult to maneuver and park vehicles in this area. TL;DR: I like Santa Maria Della Strada because of its beautiful structure and accessible location.

I haven't read the Bible cover to cover, but I'm quite sure there is nothing written about offering…read moreeggs for a fair weather (correct me if I'm wrong). Yet we Filipinos have a funny way of mixing superstition with religion. I've been to Monasterio de Santa Clara several times, and always with a carton of eggs with me. It has been believed that if you offer eggs to the nuns in that monastery, there are greater chances that it wouldn't rain on your event. I tested this belief a couple of times; the first one was for our wedding. We offered more than two dozen eggs a week before the big day, and not only did it not rain, it was freaking humid! All our guests were sweating in our outdoor venue. The following time was for my daughter's first birthday. We did the same routine praying for fair weather, but that day it rained... a lot! The monastery not only accept eggs but also other forms of donation, such as cash. And I think you can give the nuns your prayer intentions, not necessarily weather-relaated. I have some friends who went there to pray for success in their board exams, and some offer eggs for thanksgiving. I'm not sure if it this is a joke, but I heard that the nuns use the eggs to make Leche Flan or another dessert using eggs, and sell these to the public. Well, if the profits go to some sort of charity, then I see nothing wrong with continuing this tradition.

One of the stranger traditions that you encounter in Manila is the one where devotees of Monasterio…read moreDe Santa Clara would offer eggs so that their prayers and/or wishes would come true. Most of the people who go to the monastery located nearby Katipunan are brides who are wishing for good weather on their wedding day. It is said that by offering a dozen eggs, you'll get nice weather and clear skies for a day or two, which would be perfect for your wedding day. This of course, has no empirical basis whatsoever but it is one of the longest standing traditions in Manila. As such, there vendors on site who sell eggs by dozen, all wrapped neatly in colorful cellophane. One can only wonder what the nuns inside the monastery do with the eggs. I hope they don't die of high cholesterol. Even if you don't believe in such things, it's a nice gesture to do before your big day. Can't hurt, right?

I was brought up an Atenean through and through so this place means a lot to me. On top of "The…read moreHill" (Ateneo) stands the iconic Church of the Gesu. Even before I started studying in Ateneo, I already felt like I belonged every time my dad would take me. Looking at it from the outside, you already get the feeling of its grandeur (although some people imagine a space ship!). The symmetry of its lines and the pureness of the white color just stands out from other churches I've seen. I'm farthest from the perfect catholic but each of my visits here I always feel at peace. It's quiet and (SOMETIMES ONLY) cool and windy, perfect for some reflection and alone time. I do try to still drop by when I have the time or when I need the time to be by myself, you should try it too! Also, it's great during Simbang Gabi time of year!

Stepping into the Gesu the first time as an Ateneo freshman was one of the hallmark memories of my…read morefirst year. The Gesu is an iconic part of the Ateneo community, and the masses held there are usually very well-done - the choir is excellent and the friendly Jesuit priests really know how to make a great homily. Even people who, more often than not, find their minds wandering during the homilies (guilty), at some point find themselves captivated by the homilies made in the Gesu, especially if said homily is being done by Fr. Jett, the director of the University and a legendary man based on his enormous talent as a lecturer. I attended one of his lectures on the economics of environmentalism - or something to that effect - and I was absolutely riveted, despite all my expectations to catch up on sleep inside the lecture hall. But Fr. Jett aside, another great part of the Gesu is the Simbang Gabi masses. They're a real treat, and there's usually a sort of fair or market going on in the Bellarmine fields afterwards. Not to mention the festive way they decorate the church for Christmas! Sometimes you can drop in and hear the heavenly chorus of the choir practicing, which certainly lends a holy atmosphere to your prayer session, and there are masses open to the public on Sunday mornings, so everyone, alumni or otherwise, can come together and celebrate mass. I find it to be a very beautiful church, with an equally beautiful community behind it.

Most of the time, we go to this particular church when we wish to hear mass. It's a nice,…read morerelatively small parish that still normally offers a lot of space for people despite its size. The way it's constructed also allows you an unobstructed view of the priest wherever you're seated. However, the place can get packed during important dates such as Easter Sunday and Christmas which makes it harder to find seats, especially later in the day when most people go to church. It can also get really hot during the summer because the place is open and it can only hold so many electric fans. But what's a little heat when you're listening to the Word of God? Amen? Amen!

The nearest church to my house is St. Paul the Apostle Church. Although relatively small, its…read moreconvenient location makes it very efficient for us to hear mass. While the church is not air-conditioned, there are plenty of fans that keep the sacred venue well-ventilated. For someone who has been going to this church for years, here are some tips you would thank me for. One, park not too close yet not too far. Getting out after the service can be quite tricky because of the traffic build-up. Park right in front of Daisy or Mario's. Two, hear mass during late afternoon or night schedule to avoid the harsh heat. Three, sit near an electric fan. I'm sure this does not need any explanation. Four, opt to sit in plastic chairs right outside the church, you'll get more air there. Five, know that this used to be a popular disco venue. Just a nice conversation starter to know.

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.

Our Lady of the Abandoned Church, commonly referred to by Marikenyos as OLA, is the biggest church…read morein Marikina. Because of its size, it has become the usual choice for brides who decide to have their ceremony in this city. It can accommodate many guests and, with its extensive aisle, OLA allows the bride to enjoy her much-awaited and well-deserved walk. Once, I was able to attend a wedding here - the golden anniversary wedding of the brother of my grandfather and his wife. U-huh, they were already very much advanced in years, but they did walk down the whole aisle. It was beautiful to watch. With a big seating capacity, OLA can let you invite many guests so that all of your dear ones can witness your special day. You need not worry about the cost because OLA's fees are lower compared to most churches. It also has a spacious parking area so you've got the cars of your guests covered.

Welcome to the Adventures of the Agnostic Catholic! This is where I review some of the churches…read moreI've been to and known, minus the point of view of a committed member of an organized religion. I've mentioned in a post before that I mainly go to church because it makes the important people of my life happy. My SO, my brother, and almost all the members of my family are practicing Catholics. And when Sunday rolls in, we go to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and listen to mass. Since it's the church I go most frequently, I find praying in there quite therapeutic. Wait, do agnostics pray? Yup. I do, at least. Because I was raised this way. Like how the image of a god will always be a bearded, Caucasian man for a lot of people. PROS: It has one of the best choirs I've ever heard and seen. I'm not sure if their students of Claret. They have this jazzy/rock instrumentalists that accompany classic choir voice and it's mesmerizing. You haven't heard it all until you hear their "Papuri" rendition with electric guitar riffs. They're not the main band though, I think they only play during Sundays at 7:15 pm. CONS: The ceiling fans give ample ventilation, yes. But more than one of them are already quite old and you can see their stems shaking and moving too haphazardly. It's not hard to imagine a whole Final Destination scene when one of their humongous propellers fall down. TL;DR: Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church offers entertaining choir music and a meditative ambiance.

St Joseph Shrine is my wife's church when she grew up in Quezon City in Project 3. St Joseph is…read morelocated within 3 or 4 blocks from the home that she grew up in so it will always be first in her heart. She and her family are devout Catholics as are most Filipinos (86% Roman Catholic & 6% Christian religions & 2% Protestant). There is a growing Muslim minority in the southern Philippine island like Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan (about 4%). She was actually named Josephine after St Joseph, her brother after St Anthony, her other brother is Ed after Santo Edilberto. Her mom is Salvacion & her dad is Ressurection While we were in the Philippines we attended mass on a number of occasions me on Sunday and her almost everyday as she does here. It's a beautiful old church located in Quezon City.

I've always been seeing this church riding the LRT2 from Katipunan to the Cubao area, and I never…read morethought much of it, though I did think it was at unfortunate location being sandwiched between bigger buildings along the very narrow, busy Aurora Boulevard. I eventually got to make a visit to attend a Deaf mass for Filipino Sign Language immersion, and for that experience alone it can be worth it, as there are several select churches that cater to deaf and hard-of-hearing people. But other than that, the church has an old-timey, homey charm about it that are lost on other, more "modern" churches. Yes they're also still somewhat bedecked in gold and grandeur and it can be a little dim as the windows are mostly just on the wall facing the street, but I guess it's their cozy size and art deco-like style and structure that can draw you in. It can be a tad claustrophobic as it feels a little walled-in when you're inside, but it's pretty, if you have an appreciation of churches.

The National Shrine of Our Lady or Lourdes has always been my family's parish ever since I was old…read moreenough to know that I am attending the Holy Mass. I remember quite well the first time I joined an organization in my beloved parish, the Children's Choir, and NSOLL has felt like a home to me. NSOLL has a solemn feel, numerous seats, kind parishioners, and most importantly, dedicated, intelligent and inspiring priests to help Christians be closer to our Creator as they attend masses. Daily, the masses are as follows: 5:30 am, 6:30 am, 7:30 am and 6 pm. Every Saturday at 7:30 am, a Healing Mass with the imposition if Holy Oil is held. Every Sunday, the mass schedules are as follows: 5am to 12 nn (by the hour), 3:30 pm, which is a Family Mass, and 5pm to 7 pm (by the hour). Not only these, there are several organizations in this parish that aims to help and offer free/discounted services for everyone, such as medical check ups, school supplies drive, Christmas drive, etc. The Youth can also participate in fun and soul-nourishing activities and events during summer and in other selected schedules all through out the year.