Fr. Mario Quejadas, Fr. Sunny Castillo, and Fr. Dindo Billote
January 17, 2024
Philippines
The scenic provinces of Cebu and Bohol boast a plethora of sacred places of worship that adorn their cities. Palawan, where Coron and Busuanga are found, is a paradise-like getaway internationally recognized as one of the best islands in the world! Set off on a spiritual adventure while getting some rest and recreation and enjoy the grandest festival in the country. Join an 8-day Praycation to Bohol and Cebu and Coron with Sinulog Festival with Fr. Mario Quejadas, Fr. Sunny Castillo, and Fr. Dindo Billote on January 17-24, 2024.
Begin your pilgrimage in Bohol, a tropical haven of natural beauty and home to a distinguished breed of Catholic churches dating back to the Spanish colonial regime. The first stop is the Baclayon Church, the oldest Catholic stone church in the country, built by the Jesuits in 1595. Enjoy a hearty buffet lunch inclusive of live performances while on a Loboc River Cruise. Not to be missed are the scenic views of Chocolate Hills, Bohol’s most famous tourist attraction.
Proceed to the seaport for your ferry ride to Cebu, the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines. Pray before the image of the Sto. Nino at the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. Founded in 1565, the Basilica unearthed an unscathed image of the miraculous Sto. Nino, believed to have been left by Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition. Stop by the Magellan’s Cross, a historical landmark in Cebu, believed to be the place where Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross upon arrival in Cebu. Stay in Cebu to enjoy the famous Sinulog festival.
The Sinulog Festival is the biggest festival in the Philippines, held in honor of the Santo Nino and celebrating the origin of the island of Cebu. It also paved the way for the birth of Christianity in the country. Sinulog, which means graceful dance, is a dance ritual performed to seek help from the Santo Nino and to thank Him for favors granted and blessings received. The dance is accompanied by the sound of the drums, moving two steps forward and one step backward which resembles the current of the river (sulog). Celebrated every third Sunday of January, the Sinulog Festival promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Travel to the south of Cebu in Sibonga to marvel at the astounding pre-war ceiling frescoes of the Church of Nuestra Senora del Pilar painted by Cebuano Artist Raymundo Francia in 1924. Head for the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, popularly known as Simala Shrine or Simala Church. Built in 1998, the castle-like church of the Simala Shrine hosts the image of Our Lady of Lindogon, which is believed to be miraculous by its devotees.
Wind down your praycation with a two-night stay in Coron, Palawan. Visit Kayangan Lake, one of the cleanest lakes in the Philippines, and Barracuda Lake, known for its thermocline and unique underwater rock formations. Not to be missed is the picturesque Twin Peaks Reef and Balinsasayaw Coral Gardens, perfect for swimming and snorkeling in the most picturesque location you can imagine. Coron is a paradise-like getaway famous for its beautiful rock formations and unbelievably clear waters. It has a unique charm, which makes it worthy of adding to your travel bucket list when in the Philippines.
The Philippines is gifted with stretches of pristine white-sand beaches surrounded by crystal-clear waters. It is also the only Christian nation in Asia. Nourish your body, mind, and spirit. Join an 8-day Praycation to Bohol, Cebu and Coron with Fr. Mario Quejadas, Fr. Sunny Castillo, and Fr. Dindo Billote on January 17-24, 2024. Enjoy the moment and treat yourself to a well deserved break!
Take a dip at the Maquinit Hot Springs in Coron, one of the few saltwater hot springs in the world!
No other place in Cebu makes the best chicharon (pork skin cracklings) than Carcar. It’s heaven in every bite!
The pilgrims that visit the Simala Church in Cebu have to follow a dress code and code of conduct. Make sure you comply.
The Loboc River Cruise offers visitors the chance to experience the beauty and serenity of the town of Loboc in Bohol.
The Sinulog’s original dance – two steps forward and one step backward – was patterned after the dance ritual called “Sinug,” a dance prayer performed before the image of the Sto. Nino.
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The whole pilgrimage is a new and fulfilling moment in my life. It’s a nice feeling being with the Lord in His important day. And also, gaining new friends and becoming my new extended family is something I will treasure. I hope that this is just the beginning and we’ll continue to get in touch with one another despite the distance.
Brenda
Hello Co-Pilgrims,
It was indeed a wonderful Pilgrimage: very rich in history, a thanksgiving of blessings, a spiritual renewal and nourishment, and finally ending in a test of Faith.
Thank you so much Pilgrim Leader, Ging Igual, for standing beside us up to the last stretch of our 13-day journey - more particularly in the handling of an unexpected situation (cancelled flight in Mexico and re-direction of flights to make sure the 38 Pilgrims reach LA for their respective flight bookings). Ging, you were an angel to us so blessed with energy, passion, love and Milagrosa. We really felt the presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe fielding angels every step of the way.
The Pilgrimage to California Mission Churches and Our Lady of Guadalupe gives me personal inspiration for the work and activities of the next chapter of my lifetime: farming with promotion of agriculture for millennials (inspired by the scenic view of farms in California), tourism (which is a major industry in all places we visited), and support for a favourite major seminary in Tagaytay and a scholarship fund for deserving individuals (thru a non stock non profit institution).
Thank you to my Co-Pilgrims and prayer partners for the prayer support, sharing of life experiences and friendships; Fr. Tony, thank you for your spiritual reflections and service; Fr. Jerry Orbos for an overflowing spiritual reflections and enabling us to have the needed personal encounter with Jesus and Mama Mary (it was like a 12-day Holy Retreat); and the Executive Resources for making a very nice pilgrimage package a part of our lifetime.
Ms. Emma
Lord, we cannot find words enough to say how grateful we are to You. Our pilgrimage made us realize that Your love for us is more than what we deserve.
To all our co-pilgrims, thank you for making us feel we belong to this new family. To Fr. Dante, thanks for your prayers and pieces of advice for our spiritual nourishment. To Sis Lea, for taking care of each one of us. To Sis Joy, thanks for the contagious joys and laughters.
To our prayer partners, Sis Maribel, Melvy and Didick and Bro Mon and Sis Jot, thank you for your prayers. We will pray for you, too!
To The Pilgrim’s Center - Executive Resources, thank you for accommodating us in this Eastern Europe Pilgrimage.
God bless us all always!
Albert and Adee
Dear Pilgrims' Center:
My husband Aldo & I would like to praise & commend our Pilgrim Chaplain Fr. Dante Venus & our Tour Leader Bro. Monty for the very successful & memorable pilgrimage to Italy & the Holy Land we were very fortunate to join on March 26-April 8, 2018.
It was very hectic to be sure, but still they managed our time very well that we were able to visit more places than was promised in the itinerary, and we are very appreciative of that. Likewise, the solemnity of the whole pilgrimage experience was still observed despite many of us in the group, myself included, often forgetting that we were pilgrims & not tourists 😉😉, taking photos, selfies, etc. instead of, or before focusing on what the local guide was explaining or on the scripture readings. I cannot fault us pilgrims on this because for many of us seniors, and I speak for my husband & I, that trip might be our first & last time to visit those places, so we made sure they were properly documented. Nonetheless, it was a truly spiritually uplifting & life-changing experience for us. We continue to thank our Lord for making that experience of a lifetime possible. Indeed, nothing is impossible for God! Thank you very much to Fr. Dante, Bro. Monty & to each of us pilgrims in the group for the prayers, love, care & concern shown to each other. Let us continue to pray for and with each other. It is my hope that we meet each other again soon, to strengthen our bonds of friendships.
Most sincerely, Leclec Cabusora
Leclec Cabusora
My husband and I just came back from a wonderful trip to Israel - with Franciscan Fr Reu Galoy. Thank you Pilgrim Center for the arrangements. We are so happy and satisfied with all that you have done for us. Kudos to Yanyan and Monty from Pilgrim Center, and Fr Reu and Ronin for your caring services. It was a spiritual journey and we felt the abiding presence of the Lord all throughout.
Ann Arguelles Cortes
Our pilgrimage was worth all the hardships (I was having leg pains). We had an excellent leader in the person of Adrian, two priests Fathers Val and Ron, who gave us very nice pieces of advice and homilies, and of course the members of the group who were all very nice. Looking forward to join another pilgrimage.
Emily Bautista
It was the most profound experience I had in my whole life....Walking with the Footsteps where Jesus walked made my life more grateful and humble....My faith become stronger as I express it...A growing faith is a sharing faith....TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! SHALOM!
Carmen Nierra
Vir & I would like to express our gratitude for a wonderful pilgrimage we had from Sept 5-18. From checking-in last Sept 5 & all during the tour, we felt the care from a family. No words can ever describe how thankful we are.
I almost cried last Sept 8, (my birthday) when we (2 of us have the same birthday) were given a surprise mini celebration when after our dinner, we were given a cake. I really felt the love of a family then.
All these things made possible because of your capable coordinator Ms. Ging Igual. She's such a wonderful leader. Kudos to her.
Rest assured that i will refer your company to all my friends who are planning to go on pilgrimage .
Good day & may God always guide & protect all of you in the Pilgrims' Center/ Executive Resources, Inc.
Cora and Vir Franca
I am honored to be included in this pilgrimage. The Pilgrims' Center has very good itineraries worth remembering. No hours wasted. They took very good care of us in spite of our big number of 47 people. The daily mass and homilies of Fr. Manny Cruz held in different shrines and churches were very inspirational and transforming. Accommodations were nice most especially the one on top of the Mountain with an awesome view built in 1909. It's like travelling back in time. I definitely would want to do it again with Pilgrim Center.
Peter Joseph Mapua
The Pilgrims' Center always gives you the best. They let you feel like an Executive in terms of personal service & attention especially during pilgrimage. Their choices of pilgrimages and pilgrim chaplains are outstanding. You go back home very fulfilled and immersed...
Marlene Silvestre
1) 50 % deposit is required upon reservation.
2) Deadline for full payment should be at leastone (1) month before departure date.
3) Cancellation Charges:
> 50 % of the tour cost will be charged if
cancellation is made one (1) month before
departure.
> Full tour cost shall be forfeited if cancellation
is done fifteen (15) days prior to departure
date.
BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: airport terminal fee, insurance, hospitalization and other medical expenses, tours and transportation during free periods, porterage of extra pieces of luggage in excess of the maximum allocation (10 kgs.), drinks and beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, tips for drivers, guides, tour escorts, and other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary terms and conditions.
THE PILGRIMS’ CENTER – EXECUTIVE RESOURCES, INC. has arranged for the various tour services to be performed under the responsibility of various contractors. Executive Resources, Inc., its employees or its subagents therefore only act as agents for the contractors providing the various services described in the tour and accept no responsibility or liability in connection with losses or accidental expenses due to delays of schedule, overbooking, defaults or “force majeure.” All tours and arrangements are subject to the general conditions specified by each contractor. Tour itineraries and prices are subject to change without prior notice. When making a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.
