Caleruega - my escape from the city

I have first heard of Caleruega from a friend here on TravBuddy, profile name aoisoba :) because she told me that wants to go there on one of her trips back to the Philippines..  I never knew the place existed before then.  This weekend, as my friends and I were having a late celebration of my birthday in Batangas, I told them that I am curious to see Caleruega.  They have an idea where it is but none of them had been there yet.  Since we have an idea we will be passing by the area on our way back to Manila, we decided to give the place a visit.  Passing by a luxurious golf course called Evercrest and a long track of old apartments/inns that were left to rot (too bad), we thought we were going on the wrong direction until we finally saw a string of tour buses from that direction.  Seems like we are on the right place after all.

 

The religious Dominican order has built this as a home for pilgrimage just a few kilometers down from the Tagaytay proper, on the way to Nasugbu.

Perched on top of a hill, it is called Caleruega, a “home amidst the beauty of nature where pilgrims are open to prayer, to creative transformation, to Gospel values.”   Throughout the years, the place was only known for religious purposes until more and more people have discovered its beauty.  Those who have seen much of the world would find in it a real respite from the thousands of internal conflicts going on their heads.  But for regular weekend getaway seekers like us, the place is worth more than its entrance fee of thirty pesos. 

 

A walk through the complex showed rows of flower-decked pathways, brick-lined trails and magnificent vistas of farmlands beneath, which are nothing less than inspiring.

   Me and my friends have spent a great deal of time admiring the beauty of nature as we first decided to go find the hanging bridge which was preceded by a big garden and a pond with colorful big fishes.  After a few picture taking here and there, the hanging bridge led us to a lush greenery, full of trees with tables and benches in the shade ideal for picnic or just for weary people to sit and ponder.

 

Caleruega has, besides conference rooms, the Reflectory Hall, a 180-capacity dining hall; the Tuktok Snacks Bar and the Plaza de Aza, an elevated snack bar with view deck; dormitories called Catalina Hall and Tomasino Hall; cottages (twin occupancy, three in one, family rooms, hermitage cottages called Pahingalayan and Fra Angelico); and a campsite called Kampo Arriba.

  Also, you can’t go there and miss the 150-seater Transfiguration Chapel, which has been seen in many movies.  A dream wedding place for many brides-to-be (ehem, ehem!!!).

It is one perfect hideaway for retreats, recollections, prayer and renewal workshops, study, research, youth camps, marriage and family encounters, and other activities like trainings, seminars and workshops (as indicated in the brochure). Or, just to fall in love- with nature or with that special someone you will be visiting the place with. I read that many other lovers who set foot in that place have gone back to get married. As a matter of fact, it is already booked for weddings for the whole year!

 

The rest of the world would certainly be privileged to set foot on this blessed piece of our side of the earth. For now, Caleruega remains tierra incognita (it is, after all, not so easy to get to and is some ways away from the highway) but surely it is a beauty waiting to be explored and enjoyed.