If you are going to the Philippines this April, you may come right on time for the Holy Week. As a major Catholic country, Holy Week is a very important season in the Philippines. Families get together during this time with thousands and even millions  of Filipinos going home to their respective provinces during the Holy Week. Since April is also a school break and summer, this season is also one of the rarest times that Filipinos travel even to far destinations like beaches.

But if you want to comply with your religious duties and go for a trip to take advantage of your time, why not go for a visita iglesia? Literally means “church visits”, this practice dates back in early Christian era when pilgrims visit 7 of Rome’s great basilicas. This practice is still done in Catholic countries where there are plenty of churches. Aside from the Philippines, Malta and Poland also have their own visita iglesia.

Old tradition in the Philippines requires to visit 7 churches during Holy Thursday right after the Last Supper Mass. And the mission is to complete all 7 churches before midnight. Now, this practice has somewhat experience some modifications to match the changing lifestyles of most modern Filipinos. Now, Catholics can visit anytime of the day during the Holy Week.

Visita Iglesia is also now  big part in local tourism in the Philippines. During the Holy Week, there are many Visita Iglesia packages for tourists to choose. These destinations usually cover those heritage churches in the country. There are many old churches in the Philippines and it is easy for tourists to make their own visita iglesia itineraries.

In Manila, you can visit San Agustine Church, the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros as well as Quiapo Church. You can then proceed to Batangas or Laguna. If you want to travel north, the old churches in Ilocos like Paoay, Sarrat and Santa Maria Church are must-sees. Iloilo is also home to the famous Miag-ao Church, another baroque church recognized by UNESCO. If you ar planning to spend you vacation in Cebu, Cebu Cathedral, Basilica del Santo Nino as well as the old churches of Boljoon should be a part of your itineraries.

Going on a visita iglesia is a good activity while in the Philippines. Not only you can enjoy a relaxing road trip, you can reconnect with your Filipino roots with these heritage churches. You can learn about Philippine history with these churches mostly built on forced labor during the Spanish period.