BATANGAS: Experience God at Caleruega

It was indeed an immediate decision for me to spend a Sunday out of the Metro. Originally, my plan is to experience the celebration of Pahiyas Festival in Lucan but my feet took me somewhere else. A place which I found more silent than the photos circulated in the net. Caleruega: Close to nature, Closer to God; an appealing invitation that really made me spent a day there. Though quite an hour-or-two travel from Manila, it was such a worthwhile visit as your eyes indulge with the lush greens of the safe haven with Mount Batulao in the background.

Renowned for its Transfiguration Chapel on top of the hill, Caleruega already made a statement in the wedding scene as more and more couples choose to tie the knot here in real solemnity. (There was actually a wedding when I went there, perhaps a proof that there is always a wedding reserved.)

As you go down the hill, you’ll notice the way of the cross with an ethnic taste. Instead from the usual images of Jesus, the Jews and the Roman soldiers, an ethnic tribe depicts the passion of Christ with evidence that the characters are dressed not in robes but in ‘bahag’ and scarves.

Aside from the infamous chapel, there is a tent chapel situated on top of a lower hill whereas you have to cross a hanging bridge before going there. It wasn’t that scary at all to cross the bridge but other visitors used to rock it to feel a bit of the nerves. Upon crossing the bridge, an old lady ahead of me told her companion that Caleruega might be the site where war scenes or ladies who were about to be raped by soldiers are taped for movies. That made me think; in a serene and solemn place like Caleruega would you shoot such scenes?!

And God saw who did this.

Koi ponds are found adjacent to one another, a sight to behold as you watch them form a group with a weave of orange scales that shines when a ray of sun struck them.
There are picnic tables near the ponds where you could take a rest and have your snacks laid but I’m not sure if there is certain remuneration that should be paid. It would be a lot nicer if it’s for free though.

All these for a 30-peso entrance fee and a Caleruega brochure with a stamped date of your visit.

I just hiked and endured the heat of the sun upon returning to Evercrest entrance but the view of green fields is indeed spectacular.

HOW TO GET THERE:
Take a bus bound to Nasugbu or Lian in Batangas. Several buses like Mindanao Express located along EDSA in Pasay City and its operator San Agustin Bus which you can hail in Baclaran near Coastal Mall. Tell the driver to drop you off at Evercrest.
Manila-Nasugbu (Evercrest) by bus – P105
Evercrest – Caleruega by tricycle – P50 (or you may opt to hike 2 kilometers to Caleruega)
An alternate could be boarding a van going to Tagaytay City (for sure it will pass by SLEX which I think a bit faster than taking Aguinaldo Highway especially in Bacoor and Imus). In Tagaytay City, board a bus bound to Nasugbu or Lian and drop off at Evercrest as well.