In order to have an exciting and interesting blog, let's post some guessing games so everyone could actively participate. The winner will get a free drink the next time we get together as a group. Can you guess the location and name of this church? Clue: This is located in the Philippines and one of our bro used to attend 'Simbang Gabi' in this church."Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church."~Bridget Willard~
This is the San Pedro De Alcantara Church in Pakil, Laguna. Completed in 1767 after 35 years of construction, its architectural design is reminiscent of the Corinthian and Ionic styles.
The icon of the Virgin of Turumba was enshrined in the church in 1788. The icon was believed to have been fished by some fishermen along Laguna de Bay. It is said that when the fishermen tried to row the other way going to another town, the boat would not budge. It was only when they rowed toward Pakil that the wind caught the sail and on they went as if guided by the Virgin herself.
Since then sets of nine-day novenas called "lupi" have been said during the month of September. After every 'lupi" is the dancing of the "turumba". People from far away come to Pakil in fulfullment of a "panata" or to ask a favor from the Virgin of Turumba.
