The Lenten season is a time for contemplation and reflection. For some, a retreat or a fast invites divine opportunities. And there are others, who, by wanting to take a firm grip on their lives, hit the road to find heavenly inspiration.
Those looking for spiritual encounters while on the road are welcome to join the “Bisikleta Iglesia” organized by Lima Park Hotel.
Bisikleta Iglesia pedals away on April 8, 2017, to visit seven churches spanning more than 50 kilometers of rustic roads in Batangas.
The event gains an added spiritual dimension in its fourth edition with the participation of Father Robert Reyes, known as the “Running Priest”.
Rose Landicho, Lima Park Hotel’s Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications, shares that Father Robert is an ideal pilgrimage leader as he is known for using sports to express his faith and advocacies.
“We are blessed because for the first time we are having a priest join our Bisikleta Iglesia. The participation of Fr. Robert Reyes no doubt makes this Bisikleta Iglesia more meaningful and inspiring,” says Landicho.
A tour of Batangas churches
Bisikleta Iglesia 2017 will take roadsters on a religious journey with scenic routes starting in Malvar, to the hilly winding roads of Balete all the way to downtown Lipa, dubbed as the “Little Rome of the Philippines”.
The heritage and pilgrimage tour will visit the following churches:
- Sto. Nino Parish Church in Marawoy
- Sacred Heart Chapel in Marian Orchard, a pilgrimage site in Balete
- Divino Amor Chapel-Redemptorist, Lipa City where devotees of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help gather
- Parish of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, a religious site in Lipa known to Marian devotees
- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Monastery, famous for its mysterious rose petal shower
- Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian, which serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Lipa
- Parish Church of St. Therese of the Child Jesus before heading back to Lima Park Hotel.
Getting fit and taking care of the environment
Lima Park Hotel’s Resident Manager, Bong Evangelista Jr., says this activity is also the hotel’s way of promoting fitness and ecotourism.
Evangelista estimates that in 2016, their group of cyclists saved up to P12,000 worth of gasoline.
Mr. Evangelista said:
We’re slowly attracting more and more people from different age groups and with different interests to this religious adventure. Last year, we had an interesting mix of locals, domestic tourists, and foreigners. We also had professional, non-pro bikers, and enthusiasts whose age ranged from as young as 10 years old to 65 years old. Evangelista relates
More than 100 bikers are expected to join this unique pilgrimage on wheels that will complete the 14 Stations of the Cross across seven churches throughout Balete, and Lipa City in Batangas.
Registration fee is P398, inclusive of breakfast, packed snacks, buffet lunch, commemorative Bisikleta Iglesia 2017 jersey, and a chance to win Lima Park Hotel gift certificates. There is also a special Bisikleta Iglesia Weekend offer for only P2,950 for an overnight stay in a Superior Room for a maximum of four persons with complimentary breakfast for two.
Lima Park Hotel
Lima Park Hotel
Lima Technology Center
Malvar, Batangas, Philippines
(T) +63 43 981 1555
(F) +63 43 981 2555
(M) +63 917 504 2385
(E) lch@globelines.com.ph
If you want something different this coming Holy Week, join Lima Park’s Bisikleta Iglesia! Tag your friends now!
