Regina RICA

My Aunts kept telling me about Regina Rosarii, a sanctuary in the mountains of Rizal with a huge image of Our Lady of the Rosary overlooking the whole site. They kept telling me I will love the place since I am a devotee of Our Lady of the Rosary. Fortunately for me, one of my Tito's forget his license the last time they visited the place so they are definitely bound to return...

I kept looking for Regina Rosarii along the way instead I see Regina RICA. What's happening here? Who is Queen Rica? But it turns out, Regina Rosarii has expanded. Now it goes by the name of Regiona RICA short for Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia.



The whole site is still under construction. I've been to Caleruega, another retreat site managed by the Dominican Order and I can see the same vision here but I have to say Caleruega is greener...give it some time and I believe this will turn out to be one beautiful garden as well fit for the Blessed Mother. The highlight of the place is the huge image of Our Lady of the Rosary wherein devotees can climb her mantle and pray (literally and figuratively...).

Trail to the Blessed Mother







Midway, the Multi-purpose Hall

Midway we had to stop to catch our breath, it's still a long hike up to reach the hill where the image of the Blessed Virgin is. The wall-less hall is a delight, the winds come and go...it was a relaxing spot...so easy to feel sleepy...









The Sisters Mary and Martha

As I went from one statue to another appreciating the modern sculptures I kept thinking why the Dominicans love to use modern art in in their buildings, from their old world taste which is more gothic and rich, now it seems they go for sleek lines and simplicity. And then I came to the sisters, Mary and Martha, this place knows me...sigh...I realized how I really wanted to have an image of Sta. Martha...this was my deciding moment...I shall!





On to our climb


The road is lined with sunflowers with seeds already exposed, out of curiosity I picked a couple...savoring what sunflower seeds taste like, it's been a while since I last tasted one.

So near yet so far...









Maybe because of the heat or we are really a bunch of out-of-shape individuals, we decided to take another break and just wait for a service to take us up the hill (there is and the fee is P5.00 or P8.00 only...I forgot since it was my aunt who footed the bill). While waiting for the next service to arrive, I decided to wander. The top part of the multi-purpose hall is a huge church, again very airy and very modern...





















Regina Rosarii






































Speakers around the image provide a prayerful ambience...


Gateways to heaven...





Columbary project...