Devotees flocked to pilgrimage sites in CDO, Misamis Oriental
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—This city and several localities in Misamis Oriental known as pilgrimage destinations during the Holy Week saw an influx of Lenten tourists.
Despite heat index rising to about 39 degrees Celsius from Holy Wednesday to Good Friday, Catholic devotees in this city walked the Malasag Stations of the Cross in Barangay Cugman village, and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine on the side of Igbalalay hill in Barangay Balubal.
The local government had set up first aid stations to cater to devotees going to the Cugman and Balubal sites.
The 3-kilometer trek along Malasag Hills ends at the Chapel of the Birhen sa Medalya Milagrosa (Virgin of the Miraculous Medal).
But the most elaborate preparation was for the trek to the 1,200-meter high Guadalupe shrine, which could be reached via a 4.5-km route from Barangay Tablon, or a 2.3-km route from the center of Balubal village.
The route from Tablon, which was more popular, required one to cross the winding Umalag River nine times before reaching the foot of Igbalalay Hill, and from there, a trail of 75 concrete steps leads to a chapel that houses the revered image of the Virgin Mary.
Apart from 11 first aid stations, the local government prepared rope lines to help devotees cross the river safely. Volunteers and barangay watchmen were deployed to help the devotees cross the knee-deep river.
Other sites
In El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, authorities instituted a temporary scheme to regulate the flow of vehicles to the Divine Mercy Shrine where a towering 50-foot statue of Jesus Christ overlooks the blue sea water of Macajalar Bay.
Department of Tourism Northern Mindanao Assistant Regional Director Decius Esmedalla said the nine-hectare shrine complex has become the top pilgrimage spot during the Holy Week in the province during the Holy Week.
Constructed in 2008, the Divine Mercy Shrine was built through donations from devotees and until the present, caretakers charge no entrance fee and only a token of donations are accepted to enter and pray at the church.
From the national highway, devotees reached the shrine via a habal-habal (passenger motorcycle). The shrine is only a 30-minute ride by taxi from the airport in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.
With DOT promotion, other religious sites also gained popularity as Holy Week destinations. These included the baroque-style Immaculate Conception parish church in Jasaan town built in 1887 that was declared a national cultural treasure in 2001. A museum beside the church houses century-old religious art and artifacts.
Also popular is the Miraculous Healing Water Pool in Binuangan town, which is located by the beach. —WITH A REPORT FROM RYAN D. ROSAURO
