Exploring Tarlac

Our first stop was the Capas National Shrine. It was redeveloped by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos to show our genuine reverence to the World War II soldiers who were part of the Death March. The Capas Concentration Camp was built in 1940 as Camp O’Donell, and it was where more than 40,000 Filipino soldiers and 9,000 American soldiers were imprisoned. More than 30,000 soldiers died here due to sickness and torture.

We then proceeded to the Monasterio de Tarlac situated on the mountains of Brgy Lubigan, This place is often flocked with devotees, especially the sick, ever since the former Papal Nuncio Fernando Filoni blessed and enshrined the Holy Relic of the True Cross of Jesus on 30 January 2007.

We attended the Holy Mass which lasted for two hours, however, we didn’t notice the time, as it was very solemn, and the Homily message was really something that you would go home pondering on. Masses are held here every Sunday at 10:30am. The arquetta is open for veneration twice a year, 30 January and 14 September which is the Feast of the Holy Cross.

Before the Mass started, I took the opportunity to take photos around the place, particularly the statue of Jesus. Although I was under the scorching heat of the sun, I didn’t mind because the view was really breathtaking, but it was quite interesting that right after the Mass, heavy rains poured out, so, I was thankful that I had already taken some photos.

We had lunch at Isdaan Restaurant in Gerona, Tarlac. It was my first time here, and I found the place interesting because of the huge statues.

It was a floating restaurant with huts all around. Diners are allowed to feed the fishes but only with the food given by the staff, and kids are given life vest just in case they fell off the edge while feeding the koi fish. It has a very nice ambience, and I’m sure it would be more relaxing at night. The food was also good, and we were all actually starving because we arrived there at around 2:00pm already.

Next time my family goes on a road trip, I’ll make sure that we drop by this place.

Our last stop was at The Aquino Center . We almost didn’t make it here because we were late for two hours and we were worried that it would be closed already by the time we arrived, but fortunately, they waited for us, so we were really very thankful to the staff. There was a 30-minute film showing, which narrated the life of Ninoy before, during, and after the Martial Law. Cameras were not allowed inside the museum, although we were allowed to take some photos in the lobby. The museum has an immense collection, and I actually had goosebumps walking around the place, looking at all the paraphernalia that Ninoy had, like his old camera, the clothes that he was wearing when he was shot, and a lot more. The paintings of Cory Aquino were also displayed there, as well as all the souvenirs of her term as the President of the Philippines.