M.a.P's Trip #1 - Laguna Loop - Part 2!

I have no words.



Next stop was Pakil…as I entered the church, I noticed this odd wood carving.  It’s old, yes…but it looks horrible so I can’t understand how a piece like this can end up inside the church.  If this symbolizes anything, please educate me because I’m still baffled.

We were able to tour the church grounds and the altar of the Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba ("Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba") with the help of the friendly local, Jephet.  Jephet is a member of the Pakil church choir that was rehearsing when we got there.  He probably pitied us because we were touring around like lost mice…so he showed us the way.  He lead us to the second floor where we saw two huge cabinets of clothes for the statue of the Lady of Sorrows.  Overkill in my opinion…knowing that there are a lot of people…warm bodies without a change of clothes in their possession.  L

We were also given the chance to see the church convent and its kitchen.  And then Jephet showed us the altar where the original painting of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba can be found.  He also told us the story that the painting was found in a lake nearby and was too heavy for the person who found it so he left the painting in Pakil church.  He must have narrated the story in a melodramatic manner but I really am not into that kind of stuff because I somehow believe that stories like that were fabricated by priests back then to lure people into the Catholic faith.



Were you really found in the lake?

Oo nga naman! :-D

Jephet also took us to the street just right at the back of the church.  This street, believe it or not is already one baranggay in Pakil. 

Aptly called Baranggay Bano which literally means “bathroom”.  Water is free-flowing…there’s a public bath with 3 pools where swimmers in Pakil train for school competition.  Now, I know where to go when Manila dries up.   Heaven forbid.

We also asked Jephet where we can have lunch and he took us to Vista’s, a restaurant and art gallery at the same time.  A very good collaboration, actually, the husband does all the artwork and the wife manages the restaurant.

 

We had simple but very filling meals and you wouldn’t believe how cheap our tab was.  Don’t ask…as it’s really dirt cheap.  I will definitely go back there should we get to visit Pakil again.

Right after lunch, we headed towards Paete…and we didn’t get lost this time…and we got the mayor’s parking space again. J  The church was closed again so we had to enter via the altar.  The church caretaker was extremely nice because the moment he saw me having a hard time getting a good shot of the retablo…I suddenly lit up.  So I clicked away. 



Retablo ni San Luis Rey De Francia
Taon ng Ginawa: 1807
Disenyo nina: Anacleto Madrigal, Miguel Palatino
Julian Macajumpan at Jose Dans

We also checked out the woodcarving and paper mache stores.  N bought two Santa Claus paper mache and said that it’s much cheaper and way nicer than what her co-teacher bought.  I’m just happy that she’s satisfied with her purchase.