Hanginan has been one of the most visited shrines and pilgrimage site in our place. Hanginan is a barangay that can be found on the hills of Maasin City, Southern Leyte. It is where the Chapel is located thus it is called Hangingan Shrine/Chapel - a chapel that is visited by Filipino devotees may it be Holy Week or just an ordinary day.
Since the shrine is on the hills of Hanginan which is 2.5 kilometers from the highway, you will trek for at least 2, hours or depending on how fast you trek or walk. But even with the given distance, there are still thousands of Pilgrims who go there to fulfill their promise to St. Francis Xavier for the favor granted or perhaps to pray and ask something from him.
Short introduction about St. Francis Xavier
St.Ā FrancisĀ XavierĀ wasĀ aĀ founding member ofĀ theĀ SocietyĀ ofĀ Jesus,Ā aĀ Jesuit organization.Ā OnĀ AprilĀ 7,Ā 1506,Ā FranciscoĀ deĀ JassoĀ y Azpilicueta wasĀ bornĀ inĀ Spain.Ā
HeĀ diedĀ onĀ Dec.Ā 3,Ā 1552 at the age of 46 after becomingĀ illĀ onĀ an island inĀ China.
In connection, this morning we went to have an uphill hike to Hanginan together with my aunties and cousin. My aunt who was in Manila for many years has longed to go back to Hanginan since she arrived here last month to give thanks to St. Francis Xavier for her safe travel and quarantine so we planned to go.
We woke up at 4 AM today to arrive there early.
Of course, we would not like it if the sun was blazing hot. We just used our motorbikes to go there to avoid long hours of travel. We arrived there at 5 AM and started our trek. Glad that we brought motorcycle with us so we just parked there and continue walking at the cemented stairs all the way up to the shrine.
We took pauses as we go since the aunties can't take long hikes without having a rest. Climbing up to 300 cemented stairs is not a joke but the sacrifice is so worth it. We forgot to bring water along with us so we were able to drink water almost near the chapel where a lot of mini stores are open.
When we were almost there, I stopped walking for a while and clicked some pictures of the above view. My photo can't give justice to what my eyes really saw. If you were there, you will be mesmerized by the view and get refreshed by the cool air. Just imagine how far we trek.
I could not take a nice shot since I found it uncomfortable to click photos inside here so I just click whatever angle it is.
When we were inside the chapel, I can feel the holiness which made me realize I should be serious this time and pray with all my heart's content. I won't tell you what I prayed for but one thing I include there is for this pandemic to be over.
I looked into my aunts' faces and they're very serious with their eyes closed. I can say that they must be praying hard for something.
After that, we rushed to the nearest eatery for our stomachs are rumbling. We enjoyed our breakfast there and bought some bibingka after. We rest for a while and then decided to go home.
On our way, I can feel spiritual relief that I have not felt for long. My aunties are also hoping that their journey of sacrifice will be answered.
This will be all for today. I apologize for my poor narration. Lol.
Happy first day of October!
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All photos are mine.
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Happy second Monday of October. š 300 steps Not sure if it was also 300 steps going up the grotto in Baguio. I think it was around 2009 when I last went up to that grotto. I was actually counting it but my cousins were too noisy that I lost count. Hahaha