Our Lady of Lourdes Mt. Maculot Virgin Mary Image on Rock Formation Seen from the Grotto

Mt. Maculot is a small mountain in the laid-back town of Cuenca of Batangas province in The Philippines. Formed by the explosion of Taal volcano in prehistoric times, the mountain is now a mountaineering site favored by beginner hikers and campers. But apart from camping, the mountain is also frequently visited by Catholics for the Stations of the Cross. These stations pass through a monkey sanctuary (found near the 10th Station) and reaches the top of a smaller peak where sits the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto. The shrine itself is a very humble structure made of concrete and rocks that feature a cross, a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, and a niche for prayer candles. There's a crude restroom area on one side, the doors of which open towards a deep cliff (which gives new meaning to the saying, "I got to go..." if you're not careful).

At the grotto, you will notice a cluster of rotating solar panels. Beside this is a dirt trail going down from the grotto. You will see what appear to be shelters protected form the heat of the sun by tarpaulins. You'd think this is a campsite, but it's really a mountaintop food court where you can buy meals and refreshments (which can be a welcome surprise to pilgrims. There's even a secluded area where the local storekeepers wash up. Where they get the water is a mystery you can solve yourself by asking them where the water comes from. The traverse trail to the mountain peak and to what locals call "The Rockies" passes through these stalls. This might not be for everyone, but for those who are fit and psyched up to facing the challenges of the mountain, they can definitely go on to experience the rest of Mt. Maculot. But for most people, the grotto is their sole goal.

Our Lady of Lourdes pic by Dennis Jarvis

The view from the grotto is fantastic. From there, one can see almost the entirety of the province of Batangas including another famous shine, Montemaria, where you can visit the gigantic statue of the Virgin Mary at the foot of Mt. Banoi. But panoramic views aside, there's also an interesting feature in the opposite direction, and it's part of an exposed part of the peak of Mt. Maculot.

During my first climb to the Our of Lourdes grotto, the patch of rock face was what caught my attention. I don't think anybody has noticed it before, but if you look carefully, you will see what appears to be the image of the Our Lady of Lourdes Virgin Mary. If you want to be scientifically technical about it, it's what is called a simulacrum, which means the similarity might just be a quirk of nature and human perception (the image of the rock featured here has been zoomed in, switched to black and white, and color-inverted), but as a coincidence, it is short of miraculous to find it there. It is definitely something that could be attributed to more than chance by the Catholic faithful.

Outline of Our Lady of Lourdes

If you are interested in taking a look at the rock formation yourself at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Mt. Maculot, do not expect too much since it is just a small feature visible from a distance that has remained unnoticed (since the grotto was built). When do do visit, make sure to register and pay the local village barangay administration fee, which, at the time of this writing, cost 10 pesos. You can start your climb from the Pinagkaisahan Barangay Hall or from the Mt. Maculot View Resort, where you can pay at the station where the trail starts to ascend.

Note that the barangay hall is not identified on Google Maps, but the resort is marked. If you will have trouble finding your way, then you can ask the local tricycle drivers or just hire them to take you there. The main tricycle station is near the intersection of B. Laqui st. and the National Highway. It's best to make the journey during the dry season, which is between December and May. Otherwise, the trail would be muddy and slippery, even though, for the most part, you will be climbing on concrete stairs.

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Our Lady of Lourdes Statue by Onyx

Sweet and Sticky Suman of the Philippines

Suman is a Philippine desssert or merienda that's made from sticky glutenous rice cooked in salted coconut milk extract (called gata) and water. It is conveniently wrapped in a cut banana leaf which makes it easy to eat like a banana. Suman is sticky and oily so one may need some napkins while eating them. Nevertheless, suman can be so delicious you may just do away with the tissue paper!

Suman starts out as rice that's cooked in coconut milk (gata) until soft and sticky. The coconut milk gives a pleasant and appetizing taste to the suman. If you want the suman to be sweet, you can add sugar to the mixture. A simple rice cooker can be used to prepare the suman. But the product wouldn't be "suman" is if isn't wrapped in banana leaves! If that's the case, that would be kakanin (local sticky sweets made of rice) similar to another Filipino delicacy called biko, which is laid on a bilao (flat woven basket) and sliced diagonally into square or diamond sections.

The banana wrapper can be sourced from locally-growing banana plants. Otherwise, the leaves can be bought already prepared from grocery stores and the community market (palengke). If you want to prepare your own banana leaves. cut them into squares just big enough for your suman. The pieces are then heated over an open flame to soften them up. The leaves will turn darker over the flames but do not let them burn!

To wrap the suman, take spoonfulls and drop them into each leaf. Each should appear like paste from a tube and should be big enough to be held in one hand. After the suman rice are all wrapped, place them in a pot filled with water and allow to boil. You should then let it simmer for about 30 minutes, after which the suman should be done. You may prefer to cook your suman rice without sugar. You can just add coco jam to your cooked suman for flavor while you eat!

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This freeloader fork is perfect for those times when you fear there won't be enough food left for you. It's ideal for hotdogs, sausages, and suman! Click here or on the image to order this fine freeloader fork that expands up to 2 feet!

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Longganisa of Taal, Batangas in the Philippines

Pictured here are longganisa, a native sausage from Taal, Batangas in the Philippines. Here they are as they appear after cooking. Stir-fried, they serve as a satisfying meal, especially when served with rice. Different regions in the Philippines are known for their own version of longganisa, which originated from Spain centuries ago. As a former Spanish colony for 300 years, the Philippines adopted Spanish cuisine and longganisa is one prepared food that's kept its popularity over the centuries.

Longganisa is basically ground meat which may be pork, beef, or chicken stuffed inside intestines which are tied at the ends with a piece of string or reed. The size of the longganisa depends on the kind of animal intestine used. Tradition dictates whether each will be long, short, or balled. In Taal, Batangas, the longganisa sold in markets are dry, chunky, and meaty. They are sought by people from all over the Philippines for the distinct sweetness.

This is a t-shirt inspired by Abe Froman Sausage King of Chicago, from the classic movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. If you're a fan of sausages, hotdogs and Ferris Bueller, then order this fine cotton shirt here!

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Fantasy World Castle in Lemery Batangas - Diokno Road Landmark

Cars coming to and from Tagaytay City that pass along Diokno Highway in Lemery Batangas can't fail but notice a fantasy Medieval castle standing majestically by the road. Travelers who see it for the first time blink and say, “I didn't know there was a Disneyland in the Philippines!” Well, they are correct! There is no Disneyland in the Philippines, but there is the Fantasy World Castle, which is a kind of exclusive amusement park generally for members and condominium owners within the facility.

Taal Volcano Tagaytay - 42"W x 28"H - Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys 

 Tourists who aren't members of Fantasy World are said to be able to enter by paying a fee for a minimum of 10 persons. It used to be P1000 but you never know how much the fee is now unless you go there. You can of course, ask a member to accompany you inside for free. It's a common error to say that the Fantasy World Castle is in Tagaytay City. The truth is that it's in Lemery, Batangas.

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The Fantasy World Castle is something of a curiosity for many people since it's not really open to the public, and yet it's a known landmark along Diokno highway. Strangely, it always seems to be empty. Unlike other amusement parks, you will see no rides around the castle (at least not yet as of this writing) and no stores that sell anything. There's just the castle which always seems to have its doors closed. Because of this fact, people - kids mostly - wonder what's inside. Is there a lovely princess in one of the towers waiting to be rescued by a handsome prince? Unlikely, but few people know that the Fantasy World Castle was used before as a set for a local film based on the classic 1904 children's novel, A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It's also been used for shoots of several fantasy television series, like Majika.

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Mt. Carmel Church in Lipa: Site of Rose Petals Miracle

This is the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Lipa. It was the setting of a miracle wherein a former nun became witness to an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Related to this are the dancing sun and rose petals that supposedly fell down from heaven. The dancing sun was witnessed and recorded on video by many witnesses. The petals that fell to the ground had iconic images like those of Jesus.

The event was investigated by the Catholic Church, but it came short of declaring the event as an official miracle. Now the investigation has been reopened and witnesses which have attested to being healed are being interviewed. Every year on September 8, the festival of the Virgin Mary, the faithful gather at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church to recollect the events that happened so many years ago. Many of them hope for a personal miracle or to be a witness to a new one.

Will rose petals ever fall from the sky again at the Mt. Carmel Church? Who knows? But for now, Catholics all over the Philippines and other parts of the world wait for the final ruling of the Church, hoping that it will declare the inexplicable events that happened there are true miracles.

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