This is another one of those late posts. Some time during my business trip in Manila, Doi and I visited Caleruega in Batangas which is a place I've never heard of.
Caleruega is located in Nasugbu, Batangas and I later realized that this is a famous place for retreats and wedding ceremonies. This is a house of prayer wherein you can do a lot of activities like recollections, prayer and renewal workshops, youth camps, marriage and family encounter celebrations, leadership seminars, environment activities and so much more. If you would like to be one with nature, this is one of the places you'd like to drop by.
Caleruega entrance
When we were there, we saw a number of teenagers (ha, I can't believe I have separated myself from teenagers already!) who had a retreat. I can tell from the way they dressed up that they were from some exclusive school in Manila. Indeed the place is a good location where you want some peace and quiet for better meditation.
flowers and fishes
so many places to be alone and emo. hehe.
According to what was researched, the Caleruega Church is very in-demand that you have to book a year ahead of the schedule in order for you to reserve a spot because it is really hard to get some available dates for your wedding to be held here.The actual church is just small but the area surrounding it is large with green hills and great lanscapes in different directions.
on the bridge
rope and stones
I wasn't really enticed of the idea to go to this place before because I didn't know what to expect. I wanted to explore other places but I was told by Doi's friend that this is a very nice spot to take pictures on because of the scenery. This is in Batangas which is near Tagaytay. I didn't have any wheels and I was very lucky to have slept in the car during the whole trip since I just got off from my shift.
entrance and staircase
walking up.
Being raised and taught in Catholic schools, I haven't been really astounded with churches. This one isn't even an exception. However, because of the quietness and the different areas that are really snap-worthy, you can't help but fancy the place. It was before lunch when we arrived so you could imagine how hot and bright the sun was. However, I could still wear a sweater because it was cool due to the number of trees and plants surrounding the place.
the chapel or church, whichever
sculpture and red plants. very cool!
I liked the bricks on the walls and the flowers of different shades to the lanterns to the tall trees; you tend to appreciate the beauty of nature. It doesn't hurt that the air is also cool (like Baguio) as it is on a hill.
inside the chapel
I realized that upon closer inspection, this is one of the churches wherein couples book a wedding because of the simplicity and the subtlety. I am a big fan of the people behind mangored.com (a group of talented artists that specialize in wedding photography) and I came across their entry about a ceremony of a couple (the girl being a famous VJ) who had their rites celebrated in this location.
outside. the air is cool and breezy.
last look of Caleruega
Caleruega Church is definitely a photographer's haven. There are just so many things to snap at that it's pretty hard if you only stay for a couple of hours. I wonder how this would be like at night with all the lights turned on.
After visiting, we headed straight to Tagaytay already to have some good meals for lunch. I would like to go back here with a better lens and better skills in taking pictures so I can really show the beauty of the place to other people.
More Photos here in my photoblog:
Caleruega
Close to Nature, Close to God
Entrance is P30 per person Transportation by a private vehicle (Thanks to Cecil and Titus for the ride!)
Check out their site: http://www.dominicans.ph/caleruega/index/
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soloflightEd.com is a travel blog by Edcel Suyo. He enjoys performing headstands and crazy stunts during his trips in the Philippines and the rest of Asia. He just started his backpacking trip across Southeast Asia in order to live as a digital nomad. Read more about the beginning of his delusions of grandeur here.
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Bryan Karl October 26, 2009 at 4:15 am
Wow nice shots! Nindot ang church, dili siya 100% ordinary church lang. Mura pud syag mansion gamay.
Keep going and good luck sa travels!
Edcel October 27, 2009 at 6:06 am
haha.thanks. yeah, the place is really big. sayang i don’t have that much pics.
roger February 21, 2010 at 6:40 am
ts nice to be pilipino
zyrynn March 10, 2010 at 2:03 am
nice place…so quiet…so peaceful…will visit this church this coming March 31 with my family…for the Lent …
chanel villanueva May 17, 2010 at 1:11 pm
ANG ganda naman nyan.. since i was young dream ko na makapunta jan sa chruch na yan… very nice sobra…
zyra July 13, 2010 at 3:58 pm
how to go there from edsa?
Edcel July 14, 2010 at 11:29 am
@zyra: hi, not really sure on how to get there from EDSA. A friend just dropped us and became our tour guide.
rhodbugz February 4, 2011 at 11:09 am
have gone here yesterday! ganda ng place lalo n kung kasama mo mahal mo, hehehe! gus2 q ulit bumalik d2!
Edcel February 5, 2011 at 2:16 am
@rhodbugz: ganda talaga! very cold din!
keen audrey patani February 24, 2011 at 10:29 am
napunta na dn kme dian sa Caleruega e. grabe! sobrang ganda and very memorable.
i wish makabalik kme dyan, kc sobrang daming beautiful sceneries dian e. 
)
Paul Cruz February 28, 2011 at 8:03 am
I had been to Calaruega two weeks ago, and well, I* super enjoyed the place and i am planning to be back in Calaruega together with my family when my sister arrives home from Jeddah. Love it!!
Jariane Karelle March 9, 2011 at 7:20 am
I asked my fiance about her idea/suggestion for our wedding. She told me that she wanted us to get married at Caleruega. I don't even have a single idea about what, where and how it looks like. Until Google gave me this blog. I would like to thank you Ed for showing me almost all the infos I need.
*Especially for it's being highly in-demand, and we have to make a reservation for at least a year before our preferred ceremony!*
Now I don't have to visit there and look for the ideas I need. Since I am here in Brunei and my fiance is in Dubai, we can't visit there yet.
Kudos to Ed! *sana makilala ka namin personally, invited ka sa kasal namin Ed ha.. (pwede ka rin maging abay)
More power to you. God bless you!
lilac del rosario March 11, 2011 at 3:35 pm
I am so curious 2 see Caleruega. grabe, im so excited na makapunta ako with my friend sa Caleruega.
Rose April 25, 2011 at 6:53 am
Thanks for the pictures and info. We will be visiting the Church in May 2011.
flora April 26, 2011 at 11:12 am
nice shots , hoping one day we will visit this place!
Shakkya April 29, 2011 at 1:20 pm
I Love most this clam peaceful place ,really breath taking .
weng May 14, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Sana bukas marating ko din ang place na yan. Ang ganda, siguradong mababawasan ang stress ko sa work…
Yam July 20, 2011 at 12:42 am
Tamaahhhh super ganda tlg sa Caleruega…… ang sarap balikan. Thank you sa coor namin s Elementary Dept. ng SCS muntinlupa. siya ung nagdala samin jn. Gusto q next time babalik aq jn kasama q naman ung family q. . @ weng .. tama k mababawasan ang stress mo.
soloflightEd August 19, 2011 at 8:34 am
thanks for visiting and leaving comments guys!
bea go / irene lee October 18, 2011 at 12:51 am
hi my name is bea go, me and my friends (irene & tess) are planning to visit the place this sunday oct.23,2011,how can we get there? first we would like to hear mass then sightseeing? can u help us . thank you. our contact no. is 3620265 / 3620279. ( we're here in manila).
chai January 5, 2012 at 3:01 am
Wow ganda naman dyan!!!!
how can i get there?can u help me?
wilrick January 7, 2012 at 6:16 am
ask lng how much mag pa wedng dto?
abby verian February 1, 2012 at 10:30 am
super ganda sa Caleruega, medyo malayo sya samin talaga pero sulit… first time kong makapunta dun with my relatives last January 30, 2012 it was Monday and saktong may ikakasal : )) super gaganda ng view at ang dami aming kong picture kasama ang nature : ) i hope na makapunta ulit ako sa Caleruega.
close to nature closer to God : ))
God bless Us all…
Cristian De Guzman May 4, 2012 at 1:47 am
Ask Ko lang po..mag kanu po mg pa wedding sa Caleruega Church?khit bata paku gusto ko na mpag handaan at mpag ipunan yan..kc ang ganda po jan sobra..
Cristian De Guzman May 4, 2012 at 1:56 am
amft Kua ed Add me Pls.. and Tag more Photos on my Facebook.to see my Friends how beautiful in the Caleruega Church..Asahan Kita kuya Ed..thanks.. christian.glai@yahoo.com ..more power kuya ed
Cristian De Guzman May 4, 2012 at 2:00 am
christian.glai11@yahoo.com pla