The “ber months” is almost over now.  Counting few more days and the preparation for the coming year are all set.  However, always the “ber” months are months for reflection as I may say so.  Why is this so?  For businessmen it is a time for reflection, to stop for a while, to assess, to plan ahead, to check whether the company is growing or sinking.  For many students, it is also a time for reflection, personal evaluation as to whether they are heading toward the right direction.  For many employees, it is a time for reflection on their career moves or career shift!  In the “ber months” –there is more time for reflection; as we wait for the big celebration, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 


 
A month ago, I had the chance to meet an old friend. Unexpectedly, we reached a place where we can have peace of mind, reckoning, and a real place for spiritual reflection.  Yes, on the mountain top… in Tanay Rizal.


We have the old saying, “if there’s a will there’s a way!”  It may be passé for others but for me it is absolutely true.
 
It was 9am  when we started travelling. The destination?  It is unknown to me and my friend Agnes.  Only her brother, Kuya Rodel knows where we’re going.
 
About 30 kilometers away from my friend’s house, the clutch diaphragm exploded.  We were using an AUV manual transmission van, of course we have to stop and we waited for at least an hour until the rescue team came. In just 30mins or so we hit the road again.
 
Ka-Boom!
 
Few minutes from the point where we stopped… or maybe about 10 kilometers away, the radiator’s water tank exploded.  Again, we have to stop in the middle of nowhere.  The question is: “How are we going to replace the plastic tank; we are along the mountain side and in a grassy area?”
 
In short, it is another few hours of stop over, to find temporary solution for the broken tank.  YES! We got hungry and ate along the mountain side.  Around 2pm we hit the road again and continued travelling.  However, almost every 5-10minutes we have to stop and add water in the temporary container.
 
Oh, God is so good! After a few hours of stop and go, we reached the unfamiliar place on top of the mountain and it is already around 4pm.  Finally, our pilgrimage has been realized!
 
 
YES it is! And it was so Serene! Refreshing! Inspiring!  And it is called Regina RICA.
 




But because the Dominican Sisters’ friends and mission partners, they said “We felt the presence of our Lady protecting us and covering us with her mantle of Love.”
 
Today, Regina RICA is now open to public for Pilgrimage.  They served vegetarian meals.  They have the organic farming and an ecological sanctuary.  They are also committed to preserve thousand of trees and encouraging people to plant trees, with their “ATM” or Adopt the Trees Movement.


Regina RICA also offers the following facilities:
 
Tagpi-tagpi ni San Jose - it is the first “kubo” (small house made of wood) at Regina RICA
 
Kubol ni Moises, Elijah at Shua – a cozy hut in the middle of the fish pond, with beautiful waterfalls
 
The Woods Kakahuyan – small cottages that can house guests
 
The Sacred Trail – going to the top of the mountain to see the shrine of Our Lady which is a 53-foot tall statue of Virgin Mary
 
Regina Rosarii Sanctuary – an adoration chapel under the mantel of our Lady
 
Rotonda de San Jose – 13-foot statue of St. Joseph looking at his family from a distance
 
Pahuwayan, the resting Gazebo – a resting place and a good conference site
 
Pasilungan – the souvenir shop and canteen
 
The Lettuce and Herb Garden – which soothes the eyes, and feels the energies from the growing plants




 
We stayed there about an hour.  We hate to go, but we must go home before dusk breaks!
 
By 5pm we are back on the road and as usual we have to stop in the middle of nowhere to get water replacement and fill the temporary water tank.  I was in charge of getting the water, while my friend Agnes and the rest of the oldies (men) are assisting Kuya Rodel who is very much distressed.
 
Oh by the way, in between our breaks – the break lining is also in trouble because of the hilly road.  There were high peaks and it’s kinda hard for the car to crawl, then suddenly too fast in going down on the road… too much effort for the break.
 
Now can you imagine how hard our travel was?
 


Around 6:30pm -- We’re home at last! Thanks God! Thanks Regina Rosarii.  It’s Sunday, I need to hear mass and I still have to rush going back to my own home.  I refused to stay on the road especially if the sky is dark and seeing dancing lights on the streets.  Cinderella? Yes maybe.
 
Anyway, the rest is history.
 
For more details: email at regina_vocations@yahoo.com or visit www.reginarosarii.org

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine