Kamay ni Hesus Shrine of Lucban, Quezon

Quezon Province is a popular pilgrimage destination in Luzon. Reasons are 1) it is where Mt. Banahaw is situated which is considered to be as a holy ground and 2) it is a home to "Kamay ni Hesus" which is a healing church that has been founded in the year 1998 by Rev. Fr. Joseph Ayala Faller. And as for this blog post, I will be sharing my experience in this 5-hectare garden/shrine -- Kamay ni Hesus Shrine.

How to get there?
Going to Kamay ni Hesus is easy. From LRT-Buendia Bus Terminal, take a bus bound to Lucena. Inform the bus conductor that you will be off at Lucena Grand Central Terminal. As you reach Grand Central Terminal, transfer to a jeepney bound to Lucban. Advise the driver that you are going to Kamay ni Hesus church. Nonetheless, you will easily notice the place due to the large sign on the entrance and because it is a regular stop for jeepneys because most of the passengers drop here.

The chapel where healing mass are being hold

Kamay ni Hesus was built under the leadership of Fr. Joseph Faller, a well-known healing priest. It is located in Brgy. Tinamnan, Lucban, Quezon. Kamay ni Hesus is a healing center where a healing mass is being conducted in the chapel every Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:30 in the morning.

Devotees...

But with a 5-hectare land area, you don't expect that it will only hold a church, right? Yup, there are other things in Kamay ni Hesus shrine aside from its church and chapel. It also depicts some of the story written in the bible in the form of statues. Huge/life-size replicas of Adam and Eve, Garden of Eden, Noah's Ark, and some animals in the story are scattered in the area. Kids and kids-alike will surely enjoy this place. People will also be educated about religion and stuff alike just by roaming and exploring the place.

Adam and Eve

The Eden Falls

One of the highlight in Kamay ni Hesus is climbing the 300++ steps going on top of the hill where a 50-feet tall statue of Christ lies. The statue is known as the third biggest in the world that can be seen miles away. I lost count when I went up so I just ask a caretaker of the place about the total number of steps. He told me that there are 310 steps. Though it might sound many and tiring, you will not feel much exhausted because as you go along, you will still encounter a life size statues, but this time it is about the 14 Stations of the Cross. They were planted in the area accordingly until you reach the top. Stopping, staring and offering a prayer on it makes you energized and keep you going.

Some of the scenes as you went up that hill

I feel glorified and blessed as I reached and stood on top. Seeing the statue of Christ in full size along with the astounding scenery while on top is really breathtaking. I felt like "He" was just right beside me that time. Maybe, I can say that I felt I was in heaven during my stay on top of that hill. It was spiritually refreshing.

I am actually at the foot of this statue (Photo from Edward Calugtong)

Even though its pretty crowded, we found spiritual peace on this place

After some picture taking and bonding on top of the hill, we decided to bid farewell to this place. But before we went back down, again, we offered a prayer...

Isn't it breathtaking?

Mass Schedule:
Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri - 9:00am
Saturdays - 5:00pm
Sundays - 7:30am | 9:00am | 10:30am | 11:30am | 4:00pm

Healing Mass Schedule:
Wednesdays and Saturdays - 9:30AM

If ever you'll visit Kamay ni Hesus, try their popular dish called Pansit Habhab. There are stalls outside Kamay ni Hesus that sold it. It is a must-try when visiting Lucban or any part of Quezon.

This is how you eat Pansit Hab Hab

Breakdown of Expenses:
Bus fare (Buendia Terminal - Grand Central Terminal, roundtrip) - 410 Pesos
Jeepney fare - (Grand Central Terminal - Kamay ni Hesus, roundtrip) - 40 Pesos
Food - **.**

Reminder: This is a religious site. Please observe decent clothes when visiting the place. Let's all respect the house of the Lord. Thanks! :]

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A Quick City Tour In Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

Butuan City is situated in the north-eastern section of Agusan Valley, Mindanao. It is also the regional center of CARAGA and will be our entry point as we visit Surigao del Sur. Simply because Butuan's Bancasi Airport serves as a portal to the different provinces of CARAGA region.

As we land at Bancasi Airport of Butuan City, the first thing in our itinerary was to have a quick tour in different tourist spots and landmarks of this town. It will be quick because we need to head to Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur before nightfall. We had researched some good spots already before this trip but we chose to go and ask from the information section of the airport to gather some tips and advice. And I must say that it was a right decision we made. The guy in the information section was very knowledgeable of his town and really knew how to direct tourists like us. He even gave us a pamphlets that hold all the tourist spots and landmarks of Butuan City. Kudos!

National Museum - Butuan Branch

Touch down! (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

There are lots of historic place in Butuan so we decided to just visit the National Museum located in Doongan, Butuan City. In our thinking, visiting this place will saves us time. Simply because instead of visiting each historic spots of Butuan, this National Museum will showcase all the stories and artifacts of this city. Unfortunately, the museum is under renovation and all of the items were being kept in a protected area. Aw, that was not a good start for us. But just to make our visit worthy, we took photos of the vicinity instead. The place has lots of trees and plants that it forms a park-like area. Locals even visit the place to chill and relax. I can somehow relate it as a mini-Luneta Park of Butuan.

My college friend, travel buddy and a fellow travel blogger - Baron (author of Baron the Explorer) 

Checking out the place  (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

How to get there?
From Bancasi Airport, take a jeepney ride going to Gaisano Mall. As you arrive at Gaisano Mall, you may say "lugar lang" and the driver will stop the jeepney at the corner. Cool huh?! Then hire a tricycle going to the National Museum which cost 8.00 PhP/pax.

Banza Church Ruins

Remains of the church and its caretakers (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Located at Lilo, Brgy. Banza, Butuan City, Banza church was known as the most admirable stone structure of the region way back in the year 1625 and it was built by Recollect Friars. However it was burned down by Moro Pirates in 1753 and the church was turned into ashes and chunks of stones. The only remains left by that attack is its Bell Tower enveloped by Balete trees (also known as Banyan Tree). Today, the beautiful church before is now recognize as the oldest ruin of a stone church in the entire region of Mindanao.

Presenting the oldest church ruins in the Mindanao region (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Photo op at the bell tower of Banza Church Ruins (Photos from Byron Cantonjos)

How to get there?
From Gaisano Mall, take a R4 Jeepney going to the tricycle terminal near Langihan Bus Terminal. Then take a tricycle and tell the driver to drop you off at the ruins. Take note: Make sure not to direct your driver at Banza church. Make sure that you instruct him that you will be going to Banza Church Ruins. Banza church and Banza Church Ruins are two different structure. I know this because we've been taken to the church instead to the ruins. Lol.

Magsaysay Bridge

This makes land trips to Cabadbaran and Surigao possible (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

On our way to Banza Church Ruins, we passed through to an eye-catchy bridge. So we look at our pamphlets to see if there is a written information about that bridge. It was Magsaysay Bridge we saw and it is a special landmark of Butuan. Magsaysay Bridge was built in the 50s and was inaugurated by the late President Carlos P. Garcia. Magsaysay Bridge is the first wing that links the east and west banks of Agusan.

So after our visit in Banza Church Ruins, we ask our tricycle driver if we could stop in the middle of the Magsaysay Bridge before we went back to the terminal and have our pictures taken on Magsaysay. He agreed to our little favor. Cool Manong driver! I was a bit embarrassed during my turn to take a photo with the bridge. People we're looking at me like I was some sort of celebrity slash just crazy tourist. So I made it quick, immediately got back to our tricycle, and off to Langihan Premium Terminal - terminal going to Hinatuan.

I'm a bit embarrassed here... lol (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Well even though it was just a quick tour in the city of Butuan, I still enjoyed it. Aside from the place, the people there were also nice and very accommodating to tourists like us. Lots of interesting places to visit but we only have limited time. Too bad.

Breakdown of Expenses:
Jeepney (Bancasi - Gaisano Mall) - 15.00 PhP
Tricycle (Gaisano - National Museum, roundtrip) - 8 PhP per trip x 2 = 16.00 PhP
Jeepney (Gaisano - Tricycle Terminal near Langihan Premium Terminal) - 8.00 PhP
Tricycle Rental (Terminal - Ruins, roundtrip) - 100 PhP /2 = 50.00 PhP/pax

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