Caleruega, Philippines

I had experienced living in a catholic dormitory for more or less 5 years when I was still a student/reviewee and during my stay there, I twice participated on their pilgrimage activity where willing residents are given the chance to visit number of churches within Metro Manila including the Mother House of the congregation of the Nuns that operated the dorm. I had fascination with churches since then. I think the peace and quiet and the spiritual (plus historical) feel that churches offer every time I get to visit one is what make me fascinated. I mean, who wouldn't be especially if you're a catholic? And now that I started blogging, I can finally write and share about them, one church at a time! :)

For our 8th year anniversary, the boyfriend and I visited the Chapel of Transfiguration of Jesus in Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas --more popularly known as the Caleruega Church. I have always wanted to attend mass there and what better way to celebrate our 8YA than to go to church and give thanks! :)

Chapel of Transfiguration of Jesus a.k.a. Caleruega Church

Caleruega is often mistaken to be in Tagaytay but it really is situated in Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas. And due to its proximity from Tagaytay, it often is included in Tagaytay itineraries.

Caleruega was named after the birthplace (a town in Spain) of St. Dominic de Guzman, the father of the Order of Preachers. Caleruega – Philippines is a Church and a Retreat Center administered by Fathers and Brothers of the Dominican Province of the Philippines.

 

Statue of St. Dominic de Guzman (you'll see this on your way to the chapel).

Other than attending mass and exploring their park, Caleruega is also a venue for retreats and recollections, leadership and team building camps, prayer and renewal workshops, marriage and family encounters and the most popular one – WEDDINGS. Caleruega is actually a very popular venue for destination weddings around Tagaytay. This is probably because of the intimate setting of the chapel. The place is so lovely, rustic and perfect for those who want a small and intimate wedding! I can only wish of blogging about getting married there in the future. *wishful thinking* LOL

If you're into photography (enthusiast or professional), appreciates the beauty of nature, loves peace and quiet and craves for spiritual connection then Caleruega is surely a haven for you! It is for me, despite not having a high end camera. :) Caleruega truly lives up to what it promotes:

Close to nature, closer to God.

So how do you go to Caleruega? (Commute)

We went to Batangas from Pasay, EDSA-Taft. If you’re familiar with the MRT EDSA-Taft Station, there is a bus terminal at the back of the SOGO Hotel. It’s not really obvious from the outside but you can access it beside McDonald’s. Upon entering there, you’ll see buses lined up and waiting for passengers. Choose the ones going to Nasugbu/Balayan/Calatagan, Batangas which will pass Tagaytay. Their sign board usually has both TAGAYTAY and NASUGBU printed on it.

Tell the driver to drop you off at the Evercrest Golf Club and Resort and from there, you’ll have to board a tricycle to take you to Caleruega.  The tricycle drivers usually have their cell phone numbers posted for you to see and copy. This is because you will have to contact them to fetch you when leaving Caleruega since there is no tricycle terminal outside the Caleruega vicinity. Tricycle fare for two persons is P50 going to Caleruega and P60 when you get fetched to leave.

Our trip took about 2 hours going to Evercrest and we arrived at Caleruega just a little past 8am. Here's a location map I found on the internet:

Map applications on smart phones are also useful for directions, by the way. (You're welcome! ;))

Exploring Caleruega

The entrance fee to Caleruega is P30 and upon paying (in the guard house), they will hand you a leaflet which contains brief information about Caleruega and a map of the inside of their premises which will serve as your guide in exploring.

Upon entering, you’ll see the Fountain compass which is in front their main building. And facing the main building, there are two ways you can track. One is the way going to the Chapel and Retreat Halls which is through the inside of the Cenaculum (main building) and the other way, which leads to the tent chapel and other parts of the park, is the road/street on the right side of the main building when you are facing it.

The CENACULUM (main building, lobby and office).

This signage points to the way to the tent chapel and others.

We chose to look first for the chapel and below are what we have seen going there.

Retreat halls. This is the biggest one but you'll also see smaller rooms left and right on your way up.

The Chapel

The inside of the chapel is really small. We were seated on the last pew when I took this shot.

Statue of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. You'll see this beside the chapel (a little below too) and this spot comes with an amazing view. Next two pictures please. :)

Awesome, isn't it? :')))) and yes, that's Mt. Batulao right there. ;)

Now the other parts of Caleruega are also as wonderful as what you've seen going to the chapel.

The mini road leading to the Koi Ponds, Tent Chapel, Hanging Bridge and other Caleruega spots.
The left side of this road serves as parking space for those coming with private vehicles.

There are also benches and wooden swings with roofs for you to rest or just sit when you feel like it.

Beside this spot is the Garden Cafe where you can buy and eat food when you get hungry from strolling around.

One of the interconnected man-made koi ponds.

And here's us twogether (pun intended) :D posing with those cute koi fishes behind us.

The famous hanging bridge which connects the main part of Caleruega to the hill where the Tent Chapel is situated.

This view is what you'll see after crossing the old but sturdy hanging bridge.

This is the way up to the Tent Chapel. It doesn't look steep but once you walk forward, you'll realize that it's actually steeper.

One of the benches on the sidelines when going up the Tent Chapel.. mainly for resting when you get tired climbing up the hill for the chapel.

The Tent Chapel.

According to a facebook post I read on the Caleruega-Philippines like page, the Tent Chapel is also available for weddings for those interested. :)

The boyfriend being creative (pagbigyan). :D

The view outside the Tent Chapel.

Rested a bit before going down the hill.

It may look tiring but trust me, climbing up and down the hill to see the Tent Chapel plus it's surroundings is worth every drop of sweat! ;)

Paid tents for groups to have their ultimate picnic at Caleruega.

Did I mention that Caleruega also has wildflowers all over the place? They're not hard to miss since in every part that you go, there are colorful flowers blooming and trying to catch your attention. :)

We strolled the area for less than 2 hours (we did not really explore every part, just the major attractions). After that we just chose a bench near the koi ponds to rest and eat a little while waiting for the mass to start. The whole area is noticeably clean and there are rest rooms around the vicinity so access to CRs won't be a problem while you are exploring.

Caleruega opens daily.

Office hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Park hours: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Sunday mass: 11:00 AM (only)

How to contact them:

House of St. Mary Magdalene

Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas

caleruega_philippines@yahoo.com

+63 921 270 9890

+63 921 830 4226

Caleruega-Philippines Facebook

Going there on a Sunday is best since you have the chance to attend the mass. I suggest that you also go there as early as possible for you to explore the area and take lots of pictures with lesser people roaming around. It's very much worth the effort, I swear. :)

Finally, for the LOML (love of my life ♥) and my co-celebrant and partner for this little adventure:

Happy 8th year anniversary, Mahal Ko! :)
I love you. :*