Visiting Antipolo Church

 Attending a mass at the Antipolo Cathedral did not only refresh my soul but also make me travel along memory lane.  I was born in Manila and stayed in Sampaloc for more than 20 years, and though Manila is at least two or more hours away from Antipolo, it became a tradition for the the Family to attend mass at their famous cathedral, at least once in the Month of May.  The church reminds me so much of my parents, how my mother loved to go to Antipolo church although she is not a regular church goer.  But I guess faith is not measured by how often you visit the church, but how much faith you have in your God and how much faith we have to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, who is the Patron of the Church. We do believe She takes care of travellers that no matter how far our place of origin is, we are assured of safe travel always...

The Antipolo Cathedral became my place of refuge whenever I feel fear deep inside my heart, when there are questions that I don't need to ask anyone but God. When I feel so much discomfort that no human can grant me peace and solace, I go to this place that means so much to me.... The last time I visited the Church, there were few questions that I asked our Beloved Lady, if I haven't ask for this particular "request", in my previous visits to them.. I am like that, I always ask favors from Her and Our Lord, but above all, I am wishing for them to grant me and my love ones a good health, and of course I asked them to help me change my attitude and outlook in some aspects of life.

In one of our family visits in the Cathedral, I was just a little girl who never really listened seriously at the on going mass, I just looked up to him, wondering why he was so huge, and will there be a time for him to get tired carrying the globe on his hand? What will happen to the world then? Then I told him, when I grow up, I will still go to this church and will look for him... and I guess I never failed to visit him.... He is a reminder of my happy childhood, my faith, my dreams and what I have become since that innocent meeting with him... He is indeed my long time friend, who kept hearing my complains each time that I visit him.

The Antipolo Cathedral and its surrounding has improved a lot... lots of establishments had added colors to the already festive mood in the place. Jollibee, Mcdonalds, Mang Inasal, Red Ribbon, etc.. but I chose to dine in in this oldest restaurant, which was the only Restaurant in the area when I was a little girl. Here, the food too is unforgettable.

I know this is not my last visit to Antipolo.. next time I will try to visit the Hinulugang Taktak which is another reminder of my happy childhood