Baclayon Church - Bohol Philippines

One of my treks in life is visiting some old churches. Aside from the Sto. Nino Church in Cebu, I was really amazed with this one. Its like I traveled way back in 15th century. This is Baclayon Church. It is one of the preserved church by the Jesuits.

The entrance is very historic. The walls are blocks made of coral stones. Very good foundation because it stands for centuries!

Inside the church is very solemn. There is an emblem of the Jesuits, "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" (For the Greater Glory of God). I remembered this because I graduated from a school run by Jesuits, Ateneo de Davao University. When I entered the church, I do have goose bumps! Very nice experience to enter in the second oldest church here in Philippines.

According to the elders, this door is the entrance to the horse stables, kitchen and even jail. Because according to them, inside the church, there is a dungeon. It was used to punish natives who violated the rule of the Roman Catholic Church.

Another mysterious in this church is an image of Fr. Pio of Pietrelcina on one of the pillars of the church. He became famous for his stigmata. Stigmata is the Christ like wounds that bore in palm of ones hands. He is believed to have healing powers. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 16, 2002.

This is a memorable experience in Bohol. Hope to visit more old churches someday..

Benefits of Growing Older

Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

In a hostage situation you are more likely to be released first.

No one expects you to run into a burning building.

People call at 9 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?"

People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

There's nothing left to learn the hard way.

Things you buy now won't wear out.

You can eat dinner at 4:00 o'clock.

You can live without sex, but not without your glasses.

You can't remember the last time you laid on the floor to watch television.

You consider coffee one of the most important things in life.

You constantly talk about the price of gasoline.

You enjoy hearing about other people's operations.

You get into heated arguments about the price of groceries.

You got cable TV just for the western channel.

You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.

And with a slight adjustment to your hearing aid, you won't notice their parties either.

You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.

You sing along with the elevator music.

Your arms are almost too short to read the newspaper.

Your back goes out more than you do.

Your ears are hairier than your head.

Your eyes won't get much worse.

Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

Your joints are more accurate than the National Weather Service.

Your secrets are safe with your friends, because they can't remember them either.

Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.

So enjoy it - you're just getting older.