Saturday, March 23, 2013

In Time for Lent

Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia=Regina RICA

We were in a two-day review and planning workshop in Bakasyunan Resort, Tanay, Rizal. Even if Tanay belongs to the political geographical region I belong, I haven't been there. It is astonishing to see a wide upland rolling hills, with farms, forests, resorts, private enclaves and vacation houses. It also heals the spirit by looking at the series of mountain ranges in the horizon, fantastic sights especially for those of us living in concrete jungles. 

Before leaving for home in the city, we decided to visit two prominent landmarks in the area,  the Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia or Regina RICA and the Daranak Waterfalls. 

The 79 ft tall structure of Mama Mary and Baby Jesus is on top of a hill. The undulating paved path to the shrine is lined on both sides by sunflower plants, not yet flowering now, but i can visualize the beauty when they eventually bloom simultaneously. The area is also planted to calamansi growing beautifully with different stages of flowers and fruits. The statue is open inside provided with spiral chairs and nooks. The top-center of the statue is a serene place for contemplation, with an altar and some chairs. A veranda outside it also invites people to have a 180 degree view of the place. Everyone enters the statue on barefoot, silence, and without photo shoots.

At the horizon are mango plantations beautifully blending with the topography and landscape. At the foreground are the calamansi plants i mentioned earlier.

Stations of the cross are laid out in the area in time for the pilgrims during the Holy Week. The building above houses the chapel on the top floor.

These young mahogany trees are for adoptions for their continuous maintenance. Tied ribbons mean the particular tree already found the adoptive maintainers.

At the top portion if front of Mama Mary's statue are flowering plants giving more wholesome feelings to the area. The whole property is fully landscaped and maintained.

Very prominent also are the tall mahogany trees on the approach to the property, making a small forest on the lower part of the area. They provide a vision of boundary and exclusivity to the area. The roofed structures at the lower grounds provide informal meeting and eating areas for the visitors.

Visitors can buy candles near the shrine and light them here. Candles are color coded depending on the type of wish you will be praying for.

Are we all familiar whose foot this one is, or whose foot this signify? That is Jesus left foot painted on glass panels. The whole body was divided to three parts, and i chose the foot to be included here!

I am very much attracted by a lone old 'duhat' tree (Zysygium koetjape) on the far left side of the property. It is obviously a very nice area for contemplation. Steps are already placed there to approach the tree from the top ground. If only we have more time, this is the area i will definitely stay longer.

The presence of this herd grazing in the lower part near the borders of the property, completes the picture. I remember St Joseph being a shepherd before being the husband of Mary. I appreciate also the presence of those rock boulders, how serendipitous to be the area for sheep grazing, how lovely!

Mama Mary's statue as viewed from rails at the church below. When those sunflower plants get blooming, this is a perfect and lovely site.

The site is reached in 2.5-3 hours from Manila. For more information about Regina RICA please visit their site at:  http://www.reginarica.org/home









28 comments:

  1. This is a very nice and serene place, just the place for comtemplation and reflection. The statue of mother Mary is beautiful. I like her long flowing gilded robe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stiletto, i actually forgot to describe that inside the statue is the contemplation area. I just added it after some of you commented, sorry for the omission. If i am nearer i will be going there always.

      Delete
  2. Oh My Heart... What an awesome place. I would love to see that place in person --especially during Holy Week. What a fabulous place for peace, contemplation. And the flowers and trees are fabulous. Hope you go back then all of the sunflowers are blooming... Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Betsy, that is true. But i forgot to describe the inner sanctuary inside the statue, where everybody enters barefoot, silent, and no photoshoots. I hope to be back when the flowers bloom.

      Delete
  3. The place looks so tranquil Andrea!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't think I have seen a more beautiful shrine surrounded by all the greenery of the flowers and trees.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful area to visit. I'm reading your post on Palm Sunday, and it's perfect timing. I think I could easily spend time in this peaceful and serene site.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow I've never seen anything like that Mama Mary and Baby Jesus. It is amazing. I can picture it surrounded with sunflowers too. What a sight that must be!

    ReplyDelete
  7. this is a nice place to visit during the holy week especially.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The orange flowers look like fields of poppies in Europe. Wishing you a peaceful Lent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much b-a-g, and may the same be with you too!

      Delete
  9. Great pictures! Love the nature scenes.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful and peaceful place. I would love to visit. The statues and flowers are gorgeous. And the landscape shots are lovely. Thanks for sharing, have a happy day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi Eileen, it actually is a sprawling landscape and the continuous view is really much nicer than this bits and pieces. Come and i will personally join you, haha!

      Delete
  11. What a beautiful place to escape to when you want a respite from city life.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful area!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely place with beautiful landscape.

    ReplyDelete
  14. "This is a very nice and serene place, just the place for comtemplation and reflection."
    Couldn't agree more. A perfect place I must say.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lovely sights.
    I love virtual travels.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a wonderful post. The top composition is fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thanks JM, i am flattered if that comes from you!

      Delete
  17. My favourite spot has to be the old 'duhat' tree. I love the way it is situated on the hillside. To me this looks like the perfect spot for reflection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes Jennifer, it actually is my favorite spot there too, reason why of all nooks that is what i posted.

      Delete
  18. What a lovely biblical place. Happy Easter Andrea.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Gorgeous! I so want to visit you. One of these days:) We'll have to find the monkey eating eagles together. Now that would be an epic trek together:)

    ReplyDelete

Your comments inspire me to post more, and our conversations make life and gardening more meaningful.

However, Anonymous comments and personal back links give me problems, so i don't publish them. Anonymous + back links = SPAM = DELETE

Related Posts with Thumbnails