it's all about her

Yesterday, I finally convinced my childhood friends to go to Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine in Labac, Taal, Batangas. Ever since I heard about it, I was very eager to visit. Because all I knew is that Our Lady of Caysasay is only at the Basilica of San Martin de Tours. I was so wrong! And that even made me want more to see the church. On our way there, images ran through my mind. The things the people I know described to me. It contributed to my excitement, and the fact that it'll be the third church I'll visit for the first time within the month is also fulfilling and I feel blessed.

Our Lady of Caysasay Church

We took the road instead of routing the stairs going to the church as we brought D's car. It's a road at the right a few meters away from the Taal Basilica. When we alighted from the car, vendors rushed towards us and offered candles. I bought only 3 pcs. We parked at the side and walked inside towards the side door.

side door

I was surprised to see the altar after I made a few steps. I was awed, it's beautiful. I immediately took shots. The church is small, I noticed, but it boasts with art.

                                             altar                    church interior

After kneeling at the front pew and uttered a prayer and a wish (yes, I'm a believer of such- making a wish when it's your first time at a church), I clicked some more.

                         the church's artful ceiling                ambo

 
We then set up the candles at the stand located at the right side of the church. It was so humid that we weren't able to stay outside for long and decided to proceed at the back of the altar where we can touch the image our Our Lady. We exited at the other side of the church, the adjacent door to the one pictured above. We were at the wrong way we realized since the sign that welcomed us is 'Labasan'. We didn't mind though and proceeded upstairs. We took turns in touching the image and prayed. I never asked if the image is the real one or the replica. Before we leave, I took a shot of the window. It kinda spoke something to me. Weird eh? Nah, I just find it interesting! It reminds me of castle tower.
 

window upstairs

 
Our next destination was the balon which is considered miraculous. I saw pictures of it from blogs and it got me so curious. Being the first timer that I am, my friends kid me that I should compose myself before I became overly engrossed with what I've been seeing. They led us to the stairs at the back of the church. It's the landmark on the way to the spring well.
 

stairs leading to the balon

Beyond the stairs is the Barrio Caysasay. It was quite a surprise for me because I thought the way to the spring well is lined with trees. I was wrong though. But anyhow, I was still excited to finally see the balon. When I saw it, I let out a sigh of relief.

 

the miraculous spring well/arch

I kept on asking my friends who've already seen it before if that's really the well. They regard me silly. What am I expecting? Well, I'm supposed to see a well so I was keen on seeing a real one. They told me to look down and that's it. Oh, OK. And then I saw the water. But how come it's not that clean? God forgive me but I'm seeing things differently. It took me a while to really absorb it. When I finally did, I clicked away. It was so hot so we sat at the bamboo bench beside the grotto for a few minutes. Afterwards we decided we're done and walked our way back to the shrine.

I took pictures some more and bid goodbye to the Our Lady of Caysasay. It was a wonderful day for me. A fulfilling moment that my curiosity was fed abundantly. It's good that finally, I was able to see it.

side view of the church

Sadly though, one thing I remarkably noticed was the trash outside and inside (not so much though) the church. Same with the well too. I hope that the parish administration and the folks, of course will take action. Anyhow, I want to go back again and attend a Mass there. And take decent shots of the ceiling! :)