Location: Barangay Malajog, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City, Samar, Philippines
Updated: January 2, 2020
Note: This is a part of my May 2 - 8, 2015 Samar-Leyte-Biliran-Mactan-Cebu Trip which includes: Capul Island, San Antonio Island, Dalutan Island, Sambawan Island, The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Shrine, Ciriaco Hotel, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Other Calbayog tours, San Juanico Bridge, MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, Limasawa Island
The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Shrine is indeed, a pride of Calbayog City. It was erected through the leadership of Mr. Leonardo Hermo Oben, Jr. or known as Junior, when he was still the barangay captain of Barangay Malajog. This whole area of real estate property is a conjugal property of the deceased couple Catalino Pelito Oben and Dionesia Abayon Oben. Junior is just one of the descendants of this deceased couple. Junior worked hard in the United States to finance this project where on its later stage, some of his friends and relatives in the USA, had helped him to finance the completion of this project.
Brgy. Malajog is 24 kilometers away from Calbayog City or approximately 25 minutes drive. Malajog is one of the barangays of Tinambacan District --- which is one the three districts of Calbayog City, Samar. This shrine is closer to Calbayog Airport at 18.7 kilometers or 19.5 minutes drive.
The construction of this shrine started in October 2007 erecting initially the 22-foot statue of the Blessed Virgin Mother. It was in the year 2009 that the 14 stations of the cross, nativity scene, resurrection and the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ and two archangels has been started and was finished for more than a year where the construction of all statues was supervised by Mr. Jose Camacho. By September 4, 2010, the blessing of this shrine has been held through Bishop Isabelo C. Abarquez and he declared it as the Marian place for reflection and meditation.
By February 2012, the construction of the shrine’s chapel with its adjoining guest rooms was started where there was no architect employed for this building construction. All the designs was the concept of Junior and was supervised by its visiting engineer, Mr. Allan Lanuza. The chapel is named Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. Presently, the shrine is fully operative accepting guests who wanted to stay overnight in Barangay Malajog.
There are three guest rooms at the back of the chapel where each guest room has one double-bed and one king-size bed for an overnight charge of only P1,500 per room equipped with airconditioned units and lockers to keep the guests’ stuff safe. Each guest room has each own comfort and bath room with clean towels also provided.
The common area for these three guest rooms is a 10-seater dining table, a sala and porch and a kitchen equipped with gas range and freezer where guests can use for free including the plates, cutleries and kitchen utensils. Cooking of the food can be requested from the very accommodating caretaker, Mr. Ricky Sagala.
As of this posting, there are on-going construction for the terrace for the sunset viewing at the back of the chapel, guard house, gift shop and the office of the shrine association.
Just below the shrine is the lone building with the guest house on the rear part of the building and the front has the chapel named Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. The shrine nestles in the Kutay peninsula. It was once an abandoned piece of property.
Indeed, the peak of the hill offers a 360 degrees panoramic view showcasing the nearby islands and islets, the beaches, the rugged mountains and the picture of Barangay Malajog on its totality.
Guest rooms are spacious for a minimum of five persons and it allows extra bed (s) for a bigger group of family occupants and there are enough electrical outlets so that guests can provide the following day. There is mobile and internet network within the area.
There are common areas in the guests' house such as the hightech kitchen and the spacious living room with the dining table just adjacent to it. The living room has a glass sliding door which offers the complete scenery of the nearby picturesque islands.
The ambiance inside the guesthouse on its guest rooms are just so rewarding as its amenities are just the same with that of a typical hotel room which are fully furnished.
The chapel can accommodate at least 60 persons during held Catholic masses. Holy masses scheduled every First Saturday of the month and if there are some special occasions.
Just close to the shrine are some added attractions where guests can also enjoy just like the beach line stretch of Lo-ok Beach. The beach itself is being surrounded by high limestone walls grown with trees which are used as a habitat of the “balinsasayaw” birds where its feces are used as expensive soup in some hotels.
Next is the Daraga Islet which is just across the shrine for 5 minutes boat drive. Guests can request the caretaker to look for boat facility to cross to the islet where it is good for swimming. The islet is uninhabited and there are no facilities there. Since nobody manages the islet, guests can enjoy it without paying for any entrance.
Another 6 minutes drive is the Malopalo massive marble walls along the Bulungto River which empties to the sea. Its entry point is in Malopalo Bridge.
With credit to Golden Hour Photography
The pictures below were taken on January 2, 2020
Additional developments were made to this site after I posted on May 20, 2015, and I posting all these developments based on the pictures I took on January 2, 2020.
Structures erected at the back of the initial accommodation units constructed
Initially this part of the site was nothing but a rocky portion. These massive rocks were usually reached by the high tide and its tendency is to be slippery then.
Light posts and concrete chairs, tables and pathways were installed
The back of the site was completely turned into an open park which indeed a total makeover, enabling the guests to enjoy the beauty of sunrise and sunset on these amenities.
Truly a refreshing place to enjoy the cool breeze of the sea early in the morning and afternoon
With the developments made, the place is open for reservations for events like: wedding (there is a chapel and the restaurant for reception, so convenient); family reunion, seminars/trainings, birthday party, meetings and conferences, team building, workshop, retreat and the like.
Its backdrop is the majestic seascape and the distant islands
For retreats or recollections, the venue can accommodate a maximum of 80 persons where adjacent to the chapel are four accommodation rooms for a total of 25 persons and the accommodation upstairs can accommodate 100 persons foam beddings.
Daraga Islet as captured from its rear part
The rear tip of the site with Daraga Islet on its backdrop
The best service it can offer the guests is its restaurant which it is called Bamboo Restaurant, which is why you will its structure is mostly made up of bamboo materials.
The spacious Bamboo Restaurant
The restaurant itself can accommodate 200 persons for dining and the 14 cottages can accommodate 84 persons for dining. The restaurant's specialty is all-seafoods menu. There is a live band every Saturday and Sunday from 5:00 to 11:00 P.M.
The interior of the Bamboo Restaurant
The bamboo-inspired walls of the restaurant
CONTACT DETAILS
To reserve accommodation for the guest rooms, restaurant or the whole venue, you may contact Mrs. Naty Oben or Mr. Leonardo Oben at mobile numbers: 09171600650 or 09530618671 or contact Junior through his Facebook account at Leonardo Oben.
Calbayog is tagged as the City of Water Falls and some other tourist attractions. Thus, it deserves to be toured around. You can hire a van good to move around the place through Indira Ambos Rumohr with Facebook account at Indira Rumohr or through her mobile number at 09177188182 or through her driver in the name of Mr. Rey Tocayon with mobile number at 09265078350.
Calbayog is tagged as the City of Water Falls and some other tourist attractions. Thus, it deserves to be toured around. You can hire a van good to move around the place through Indira Ambos Rumohr with Facebook account at Indira Rumohr or through her mobile number at 09177188182 or through her driver in the name of Mr. Rey Tocayon with mobile number at 09265078350.
Philippine Airlines has just recently opened its new flight schedule as an additional flight to Calbayog City as indicated in this announcement below:
