A GLIMPSE OF MAASIN CITY

Location: Southern Leyte, Philippines

Note: This is a part of my 4-day Maasin City Trip which includes: Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption at Jalleca Hills, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Cathedral of Maasin, Maasin City Tour, Saint Francis Javier Shrine and Canigao Island.

Where afternoon and evening walk give pure joy

The first time I visited Maasin City was wayback November 2001. That was the time when I was still working with Philippine National Bank. By that time, I only strolled around the city and had not much experienced beyond its city limits. It was in May 2015 that I was enjoyed my visit to this place when stayed overnight in Limasawa Island with our accommodation at Dakdak Beach Resort. I was not able to visit its other interesting places and so in these posts, I am sharing my very recent escapade of Maasin City and beyond.

My host's house in Maasin

A colleague of mine had invited me to join in her vacation to her home town in Maasin and I did not have a second thought of joining her even if I knew that it was purely a family occasion that she was attending.

A prominent figure statue in the town plaza

Prior to my visit, I read again online about a brief history of the city. I learned that it is a fourth class city and the capital of the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. It has 70 barangays and located on the western part of the province with land area of 21,171 hectares (52,310 acres). It was only on August 10, 2000, when the town was chartered into a city. Maasin is noted for its tropical islands and white sand beaches.

One of my favorite spots in the city

Maasin was initially called "Nipa" when the Spaniards came to impose Christianity for its native settlers. The renaming of the town of Maasin is related to the incident when some Spaniards, who needed drinking water, scanned the shorelines and found Canturing River. They asked the natives in Castillan Spanish while gesturing towards the river, "Que pueblo es este?" Without hesitation, the natives answered "Maasin" (meaning salty), thinking that the Spaniards were asking them how the water tasted. From that time on, the place has been called Maasin.

Saint Joseph College

I was not really concerned of sharing its cityscape but I just found some semblance of establishments we had in Manila that I decided to capture them for documentation to prove that the city has also the share of progress and development.

Just one of the signs of city's progress

Buildings and other infrastructures will absolutely be not built if the a certain place is still so laid back. Its busy streets and bigger volume of vehicles dotting along its streets can tell, it is such a busy bustling city.

Goldilocks already invaded Maasin

Being a lover of Goldilocks products, I captured them to remind me that I need to buy there my favorite "Crema de Fruta" but I have not seen a Red Ribbon outlet there.

Jollibee is everywhere even in the countryside

Well, I will not wonder if Jollibee has also invaded Maasin City. According to Wikipedia, "Jollibee Food Corporation (JFC) has acquired some of its competitors in the fast food business in the Philippines and abroad such as Chowking, Greenwich Pizza, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, and Burger King Philippines. As of January 2015, JFC had a total of more than 3,000 stores worldwide,[4] with system-wide retail sales totaling 82.1 billion pesos for the fiscal year 2011."

2GO and Western Union Remittance outlet in Maasin

Mang Andok's Litson - Manok Liempo

A less progressive part of the city

Busy street with vehicles

Waiting for the majestic sunset viewing

The lovers and broken-hearted lane

After the sunset viewing

Time to eat at Alberto's Pizza

It was getting late and so it was time to go back to my host's house

HOW TO GET THERE

The nearest airports to Maasin are Cebu City, Ormoc City and Tacloban City. But plying from Cebu City would require you to board a ship from Cebu City's Pier 4 to cross to Hilongos, Southern Leyte for P286 which is around 5-6 hours sea travel of which we boarded M/V Joyful Stars. Then from Hilongos to Maasin is a bus service of P87 for more than 1 hour road travel.

If you are coming from Ormoc City, then it is approximately 3 hours drive for 131.9 kilometers via Baybay-Inopacan Road for a fare of P150. While if you are coming from Tacloban City Airport, then it is approximately 4 -5 hours drive at P270 for 194.8 kilometers via Bato - Bontoc Road and Eastern Nautical Highway.

If you opt to take a land travel via Bicol Peninsula and Samar, take Pintados Airconditioned Bus for P1,688 fare including ferry fare in Matnog (Sorsogon)-Allen/Alegria (Northern Samar) crossing or with the same route with Philtranco airconditioned buses for P1,706 excluding the ferry fare. This is either coming from Cubao or Pasay terminals to Maasin City. The travel time is approximately 26 - 28 hours excluding the waiting time for the availability of the ferry boat from Matnog to Allen.

Moving from one destination to another in Maasin City is easy. Or if you opt to go out from the city and find beautiful beaches, public transport is available.

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION PARISH CATHEDRAL

Location: Bishop Vicente T. Ataviado Street, Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Philippines

Note: This is a part of my 4-day Maasin City Trip which includes: Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption at Jalleca Hills, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Cathedral of Maasin, Maasin City Tour, Saint Francis Javier Shrine and Canigao Island.

Commonly known as Maasin Cathedral

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Cathedral is one of the Philippines' national historical landmarks. It was consecrated in 1771. As seen today, it has a baroque architectural design which is evident with its facade. The Jesuit missionary priests who initially built the church in the 1700 had named the church then as Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion de Maasin.

The cathedral's altar

Being originally built in 1700, the church is believed to be one of the oldest parishes of the country which was established by the series of waves of missionaries, namely: the Jesuits, Augustinians and finally by the Franciscan Order. As revealed by its archive, the church has suffered several destruction and damage over the years, but has been rebuilt many times by the orders succeeding the Jesuits.

The cathedral's interior

Its present-day structure is constructed at 1968 and subsequently became the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maasin which covers the municipalities of Southern Leyte, including the towns of Matalom, Bato, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan and Baybay of the province of Leyte.

One of the side altars

The cathedral like any other established Spanish town, has been built at the center of the city which is located near the City Hall,schools and other government offices. It is presently close to the establishments of the city, thus, it is accessible and its plaza is even used to host the town's cultural activities all year round.

The colorful giant windows

In my 4-day stay in Maasin City, I attended three holy masses in the cathedral. I used to pass the church whenever I go to the boulevard overlooking the sea where people have a leisurely afternoon and evening walk and enjoy nightlife from the bars and restaurants in that district.

One of the holy images inside the cathedral

The present design which was completely on March 23, 1968 heavily borrows from the characteristics of baroque churches in the Philippines, with its traditional triangular pediment and simple facade punctuated by rectangular niches for the images and windows. However, a seemingly modern style was applied as shown by its rounded, three-layered bell tower which is a common feature among late 18th century churches.

The cathedral after its 7:00 - 8:00 P.M. Sunday mass

From its historical accounts, I learned that by 1920s until 1930s, the parish was placed in the care of the diocesan priests of Cebu. It was then transferred to the Diocese of Calbayog and Diocese of Palo, until in 1968, it became the cathedral seat of the Diocese of Maasin on August 1. Imagine, Calbayog is so far from Maasin. Calbayog City is my hometown, anyway.

The cathedral's convent

Below is the schedule of masses of the Cathedral from Monday to Sundays.

The cathedral holy mass schedule

HOW TO GO THERE

The nearest airports to Maasin are Cebu City, Ormoc City and Tacloban City. But plying from Cebu City would require you to board a ship from Cebu City's Pier 4 to cross to Hilongos, Southern Leyte for P286 which is around 5-6 hours sea travel of which we boarded M/V Joyful Stars. Then from Hilongos to Maasin is a bus service of P87 for more than 1 hour road travel.

If you are coming from Ormoc City, then it is approximately 3 hours drive for 131.9 kilometers via Baybay-Inopacan Road for a fare of P150. While if you are coming from Tacloban City Airport, then it is approximately 4 -5 hours drive at P270 for 194.8 kilometers via Bato - Bontoc Road and Eastern Nautical Highway.

If you opt to take a land travel via Bicol Peninsula and Samar, take Pintados Airconditioned Bus for P1,688 fare including ferry fare in Matnog (Sorsogon)-Allen/Alegria (Northern Samar) crossing or with the same route with Philtranco airconditioned buses for P1,706 excluding the ferry fare. This is either coming from Cubao or Pasay terminals to Maasin City. The travel time is approximately 26 - 28 hours excluding the waiting time for the availability of the ferry boat from Matnog to Allen.

If you are already in the city of Maasin, you can take tricycle to go to the church. If you want to familiarize the city, walking is a good alternative. After all, the city is not that big.

SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION AT THE JALLECA HILLS

Jalleca Hills, Brgy. Mantahan, Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Philippines

Note: This is a part of my 4-day Maasin City Trip which includes: Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption at Jalleca Hills, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Cathedral of Maasin, Maasin City Tour, Saint Francis Javier Shrine and Canigao Island.

The 36-meter Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary

From a 20-minute drive coming from Shrine of Our Lady of Assumption and the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, I went to this shrine, the second shrine of Our Lady of Assumption of Maasin City. Unlike the other one, this is located within the city proper.

The main gate to the shrine where the first step of 235 starts

This shrine built on top of a hill summit at 104 MASL is lower by 68 meters compared to the other Lady of Assumption shrine. Because of its accessibility, more people are scaling it. However, I noticed that some who did it have their concern on their fitness and wellness routine. I can see them repeatedly ascending and descending in jogging and dry fit suits. Others are there for the reason of breathing in fresh air.

The stairs leading to the Shrine at the hills summit

From the readings I had, I learned some facts about the shrine. Firstly, it was built in 1994 where according to the residents the city has not been hit by a typhoon until that of tropical storm named "Ramon".

A closer look of the shrine

Secondly, it was built because a certain Mila Gaviola had a dream in 1990 where Virgin Mary appeared and told her to build a shrine in her honor behind the provincial hospital overlooking the city. This was the same case with Chung, where he built the Monte Cueva shrine due to the request of the Blessed Virgin Mary through a dream.

Overlooking the city and the open seas

Thirdly, the place was called Jalleca Hill after its owners—the Jarabe, Llevares and Cadavos families. Gaviola told the Catholic owners, about her dream and persuaded them to donate the land. They readily did.

The shrine's chapel

Fourthly, the group which managed the shrine was organized in 1992 even before it was completed. It is composed of Marian devotees, some of whom belong to known families in Maasin. The late Bishop Vicente Ataviado of Maasin gave his blessing when Gaviola informed her about the project. The shrine was completed four years later through the help and donations of devotees.

While I was at the shrine

Finally, unlike the Monte Cueva, the shrine on Jalleca Hills has not been recognized as the official Marian Shrine in Southern Leyte by the Palo Archdiocese. Gaviola says the Church officials want her to turn over management of the shrine, but she refuses because it was built through the initiative of devotees like her. Without the recognition, masses are no longer held there, except on Sept. 8, the birthday of the Blessed Virgin, and in October, the Holy Rosary month. (source: Inquirer Net)

HOW TO GO THERE

The nearest airports to Maasin are Cebu City, Ormoc City and Tacloban City. But plying from Cebu City would require you to board a ship from Cebu City's Pier 4 to cross to Hilongos, Southern Leyte for P286 which is around 5-6 hours sea travel of which we boarded M/V Joyful Stars. Then from Hilongos to Maasin is a bus service of P87 for more than 1 hour road travel.

If you are coming from Ormoc City, then it is approximately 3 hours drive at P150 fare for 131.9 kilometers via Baybay-Inopacan Road. While if you are coming from Tacloban City Airport, then it is approximately 4 -5 hours drive at a fare of P270 for 194.8 kilometers via Bato - Bontoc Road and Eastern Nautical Highway.

If you opt to take a land travel via Bicol Peninsula and Samar, take Pintados Airconditioned Bus for P1,688 fare including ferry fare in Matnog (Sorsogon)-Allen/Alegria (Northern Samar) crossing or with the same route with Philtranco airconditioned buses for P1,706 excluding the ferry fare. This is either coming from Cubao or Pasay terminals to Maasin City. The travel time is approximately 26 - 28 hours excluding the waiting time for the availability of the ferry boat from Matnog to Allen.

SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION AND THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS

Location: Brgy. Rizal Interior, Monte Cueva, Maasin City

Note: This is a part of my 4-day Maasin City Trip which includes: Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption at Jalleca Hills, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Cathedral of Maasin, Maasin City Tour, Saint Francis Javier Shrine and Canigao Island.

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption

Maasin City is indeed a very religious city. The proof of the matter were its two shrines of Our Lady of the Assumption in separate locations and the establishment of its first Roman Catholic church by the Spaniards in 1700. One of these two shrines is that of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Most Precious Blood of Jesus or most commonly known as Monte Cueva Shrine.

The right-wing concrete stairway of 552 steps

The shrine is erected on top of a hill of 172 MASL or 564 feet in elevation where the shrine faces the ocean and the whole town of Maasin. Because of its height, devotees and pilgrimes have to scale the concrete stairways on the right which serves as the entry point with 552 steps while the left one as the exit side has more than 300 steps. Why is this so? Because, the left wing has stairways with longer steps while the other one has shorter stairs.

Part of the open chapel

There is a store when you reach the open chapel where you can buy refreshing drinks and religious items and souvenirs. It is a very green open garden equipped with seats. Only the altar has the roof.

The open chapel annexed to the verdant garden

With regular masses being held here, pilgrims and devotees flock in big numbers. After all, it is just 2 kilometers away from the city proper of Maasin which is 10-15 minutes drive with tricycles as the only transport going there.

A cathedral within a cave

Just few steps from the open chapel is the entry point to a cave with a cathedral inside. Surprisingly it was cold inside the cave. The wall stone is cold and it is equipped with lights inside.

One of the holy images inside the cathedral

I think the cathedral has specific schedule when it will be opened on a regular basis to the public for I noticed that the narrow entry to it has metal door casing. Considering that holy masses has regular schedule, then only by this time that it will be opened to the public. Unfortunately, by the time I was there, I need to wait for the holy mass at 6:00 P.M. but I was rushing to go to the other Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption at the Jalleca Hills.

Capturing a lighted cathedral's interior

Even if there was no mass going on, still there were a lot of pilgrims in and out the cathedral and the open chapel. I had a short conversation from the other pilgrims there, I learned that some came from Cebu City, Davao, Ilocos and a few were American citizens of Filipino blood having their home visit to the Philippines.

The image of Our Lady of the Assumption

It was so spiritually relaxing staying inside the cathedral. It was so solemn inside. There were so many people around but you can hardly hear any footstep. That feeling of being holy was just so contagious.

The 30-foot image of Our Lady of the Assumption

I thought then after coming out from the cathedral that I have to go down and leave the sacred hill but I noticed that people were moving to one direction for a few steps going up where it looks like an open veranda. I followed them anyway, and to my surprise, there I saw the image of Our Lady of the Assumption with arms outstretched towards the city and the ocean which according to the staff it indicates love and protection for its beloved city, Maasin.

I saw a group there with a guide I suppose telling them the details of the shrine and so I listened and according to him, the shrine was canonically established by the bishop of Maasin, it is officially called the Shrine of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus and the Our Lady of the Assumption, the city’s patroness, according to Fr. Garnet John Dy Quirong, diocesan shrine director for five years. He further narrated that the shrine was a donation by the philanthropists Odong and Loring Chung in 1992 to the Diocese of Maasin where the couple was the land owner of this site. Prior to its construction, Odong had a dream where Our Lady of the Assumption was asking him to build a shrine in Her name. He added that there was a time when Maasin City was to be hit by a tidal wave and the people had already evacuated to the highlands. A witnessed has revealed that Our Lady of Assumption had motioned to stop the huge tidal wave and gradually, it subsided.

Part of the Via Crucis

Finally, I learned from one of the staff that residents once referred to the place as a mountain cave or what the locals call as "aghuban" while some others called it Sitio Tinibgan, meaning a carved rock shaped like a wooden basin on the lower portion of a brook. On the other hand, the cave where the cathedral was built used to be a habitat for bats and birds. Stalactites can still be seen embellished on the ceiling, but a few of them were later ripped off and sold as decorative items.

HOW TO GO THERE

The nearest airports to Maasin are Cebu City, Ormoc City and Tacloban City. But plying from Cebu City would require you to board a ship from Cebu City's Pier 4 to cross to Hilongos, Southern Leyte for P286 which is around 5-6 hours sea travel of which we boarded M/V Joyful Stars. Then from Hilongos to Maasin is a bus service of P87 for more than 1 hour road travel.

If you are coming from Ormoc City, then it is approximately 3 hours drive for 131.9 kilometers via Baybay-Inopacan Road for a fare of P150. While if you are coming from Tacloban City Airport, then it is approximately 4 -5 hours drive at P270 for 194.8 kilometers via Bato - Bontoc Road and Eastern Nautical Highway.

If you opt to take a land travel via Bicol Peninsula and Samar, take Pintados Airconditioned Bus for P1,688 fare including ferry fare in Matnog (Sorsogon)-Allen/Alegria (Northern Samar) crossing or with the same route with Philtranco airconditioned buses for P1,706 excluding the ferry fare. This is either coming from Cubao or Pasay terminals to Maasin City. The travel time is approximately 26 - 28 hours excluding the waiting time for the availability of the ferry boat from Matnog to Allen.

WITH ONLY P308 YOU CAN HAVE A DAY CLIMB AT MOUNT HAPUNANG BANOI

Location: Rodriguez, Rizal, Philippines

Major jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
LLA: 14°44′25.3′′ N, 121°11′30.4′ 517 MASL (+460m)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3.5 hours
Specs: Minor, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 1-4 with limestone scrambling
Features: Limestone formations, scenic views of Sierra Madre and Rizal province
(Source: Pinoy Mountaineer)

Just one of the scenic rock formations of Mount Hapunang Banoi

Hapunang Banoi is just one of the three mountains in Rodriguez, Rizal which I climbed where all of them are notably with limestone formations. The other two where I climbed earlier were Mount Binacayan and Pamitinan. I climbed the latter for twice. According to the locals, its name Banoi is a Tagalog word for eagle, where its name was derived which means a folkloric seat as the ‘place where eagles come to dine’.

The hanging bridge leading to the jump-off point of Pamitinan and Banoi

Banoi and Pamitinan share the same jump-off point and the same trail till it reaches to the Junction (three food stores of bamboo and nipa structures are there). From that point, Banoi has a trail which turns to the left while Pamitinan is heading to the right direction.

One of the continuous gradual assaults

After crossing the hanging bridge, the trail cuts through a few houses where assaults are continuous. The trail is grown with verdant vegetation. When it's raining, the trail on this part is muddy. Newbies here keep on taking rests to catch on their breath.

Resting under a balete tree

The ascending trail continues till it reaches the massive rock wall where very inviting long bamboo seats await the climbers and cold drinks and buco are being sold by the enterprising locals.

The massive rock wall where we normally rest after a continuous ascent

For a regular climber, it takes less than an hour from the hanging bridge to the junction. Some parts of the trail requires a big leap as you have to step on big roots or big mounds of rocks.

The junction where Banoi and Pamitinan trail separates

From the junction, culminates a trail which is dry and with bamboo groves. Sharp limestone rocks are becoming evident. Some points are open showcasing the breathtaking scenery of the low-lying areas which serve as viewdecks.

A breathtaking viewdeck

Since the trail has sharp rocks, trekking becomes slow. Besides the trail is so narrow and at the edge of a cliff but it offers a panoramic view. Climbers are left in awe that they can not resist the temptation taking shots and selfies.

Just one of the trails where you need to have big leaps

You need to hop from one big rock to another. At this point one is really exposed to the scorching heat of the sun. So, it is advisable the ascent should be as early as 5AM in the morning since there will be no cover from the junction to the summit.

Taking the challenge in a risky move to capture a daring shot

The picture above is not a part of the usual trail. I just climbed there to get a daring shot. At its back is a rocky cliff. Not all climb this point. It might be risky for those who are not daring enough to conquer heights and defy gravity.

Conquering heights . . . defying gravity

In the picture above, I was still on the same spot but the photographer has transferred to higher elevation by climbing a tree. If I were the photographer, I will not take this shot. It does not define height, anyway. This shot was in the same spot in my cover picture of this post.

A death-defying cliff-edge angle shot

The picture was a 20-minute trek from the last photo where I had a daring shot. Below it are really deep ravines and cliff measuring around 150 feet. The backdrop here is just amazingly stunning. The bright yellow trees adds a different glow. In this photo, it does not define a death-defying cliff edge, but in reality, one false move here is more than death-welcoming.

Cliff-edging reckless-controlled shot

By the looks of it, the photo above looks so cool but only brave hearts do this. Not all wants to provoke death and accept challenge. Anyway, all of us were happy that our guides were giving us then tips on how to be safe in every move we did. They were even the ones taking our pictures.

Soaring like an eagle on top of God's creation

Scaling to this point was really risky, the rocks were so unwelcoming. You can not just avoid rashes and skin cuts. I mean, there was no room here for skin bruises but just skin cuts. One has to be cautious enough to grip and hold on to rocks. Some of them may not even be stable. Their sharpness looks fierce but fragile when you hold a grip over them.

At the window of the world

Being at this point was really monumental. I can't explain my feelings. It was like, I was on top of everything and I own a vast of kingdom. I was like claiming my dominion over nature.

Overlooking the low-lying hills and plains

What I like in this mountain was its generosity to give best scenery. Wherever you aim your camera, it will result to amazing captured photos. I really love this climb!!! Why not try it by yourselves.

Indeed, I have the dominion over nature

I have not wasted my time to document every beautiful angle I saw. As we were approaching the summit, rocks were becoming fiercely sharp. I noted that two of my male companions who were wearing sandals were not able to pursue the climb as their sandals were disengaged. The rocks were quite punitive.

On top of the summit

While the summit has fierce rock edges, its view was stunningly beautiful. As long as you are cautious with your moves, you will be in good hands. You will have less skin cuts. I did have two. Anyway, the guides are so mindful of their climbers. They are watchful and they would even give the advance before you do the wrong move.

While at the summit

Our group stayed for more than 30 minutes at the summit. Good that there were no other groups next to us. The summit is not wide enough to accommodate climbers. You know, I really like the backdrop of the summit.

Another part of the summit

Our guide demonstrated to me on how to have a shot like him, but I decided not to because, it was so risky. I saw no support if ever I mishandled my footwork. It was then I realized, I have my limit.

This is a fissure just below the summit

It was already hot and so we took cover below the summit where there was a fissure. Surprisingly, it was cold inside it. But the problem was, we have to brave up the sharp edges of rocks going down which considerably deep below. And after resting there, we need to climb again to be on our trail for descent.

The trail leading to Wawa Dam

After descending from Mount Hapunang Banoi, we decided to freshen up for a bath in the cascading Wawa Dam. This can be the best side trip when climbing the mountains of Banoi, Binacayan and Pamitinan.

The trail leading to Wawa Dam

Our refreshing bath at Wawa Dam

Not only that, along our way to Wawa Dam, you can vegetables and fruits at a cheaper price. If you are hungry, carenderia are many particularly when you are heading back to the DENR Office. Need to go back to Cubao? There are tricycles available going to Luvers in Montalban and then take a jeep or van going back to Cubao.

My expenses for this climb is summarized as follows:

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SN	Particulars	Amount
1.	Round Trip Van Fare from Farmer’s Cubao to Louver’s Montalban and vice versa	100.00
2.	Share in Round Trip Tricycle fare from Louver’s to DENR Registration Site (P15 one-way)	30.00
3.	Share in guide for a maximum of 8 for a fee of P500	62.50
4.	DENR Registration Fee	20.00
5.	Donation to Barangay (Optional)	5.00
6.	Lunch in one of the Carenderias in the jump-off point	45.00
7.	Breakfast in one of the Carenderias in the jump-off point	45.00
	TOTAL	P307.50