The (Long) Road to Monasterio de Tarlac

After many unfulfilled plans to do Visita Iglesia on a Maundy Thursday, we finally did on in 2013. Destination: Monasterio de Tarlac or the Servants of the Risen Christ Monastic Community. The monastery is usually open the entire week except Thursdays and I was only able to confirm that they had activities on this year's Maundy Thursday by posting a message on their website which was promptly responded to by Fr. Archie Cortez. To get there, I had to rely on Google searches of other people posting directions which, I'm sure, were all well meaning and with all the good intentions, but were not very descriptive or incomplete. In this post, I will begin with one of the most important things when going on a road trip - the directions.

From Balintawak, we took the NLEX all the way to Sta. Ines, the end of NLEX. As it was a Maundy Thursday, it wasn't a good idea to start the trip at 10:00 a.m. - it was extremely hot and the entire stretch of NLEX (no exaggerations here) was one big EDSA on a rainy day.

From Sta. Ines, we veered towards the east (Mabalacat-Magalang Road, then left to the Magalang-Concepcion Road, to get to MacArthur Highway) instead of to the west (direction of MacArthur Highway in Pampanga). In terms of kilometers, it was the longer way but in terms of perception due to the flow of traffic, it seemed to be the faster way. Essentially, we could have gone either way and reach Luisita and it wouldn't matter. We relied on the very accurate driving directions of one blogger but this can be improved this way: from Luisita going northbound along MacArthur, you will see a sign going to Monasterio advising you to take a left. This is the San Sebastian-San Vicente Diversion Road and you can take this without going to pass by SM City Tarlac. The road veers to the left, then curves to the right and slightly more to the right. At the intersection, take a right turn and immediately turn left.

From the Monasterio, we decided to take the road going to Capas instead of the one we took getting there. The down side of this route is that the road is under construction and not all are paved. In terms of distance, it is the shorter route. (From Luisita, it is more than one hour to get to the Monasterio.)

Here is the suggested alternate route:

From Sta. Ines exit, drive towards Mabalacat via Mac Arthur Highway (to your right from the exit or going westbound). You should pass the Mabalacat Town Hall, and reach a metal bridge. Continue driving to Bamban and cross a second bridge. You will pass by the Capas Death March Monument to your left. Watch out when you see the Capas Gabaldon Elementary School, Mercury Drug, Jollibee as you need to take a left turn at the Del Pilar St. intersection right after Western Union (to your left). There is another intersection: you must turn right. Follow that road and you will pass by the Capas Public Cemetery. After a few minutes drive turn left towards the Iglesia Ni Kristo Lokal ng Aranguren, and see the Aranguren Elementary School to your left. This road gets you to Camp O'Donnell but you have to take a right turn at Cojuangco St. after BDO. This area still has a lot of houses with tricycles plying the route. Stick to Cojuangco St. and you will exit the subdivision are into rice fields, farms and rural scenery. There is a bridge you will cross, more rural scenery for about 45 minutes. Eventually, you will reach Brgy. Moriones where you must take a left turn. This point is only minutes away from the Monastery. You will reach another intersection in Brgy. Lubigan where you must take a left. You will see several small houses and the Lubigan Elementary School. The road circling the mountain begins here. Eventually, you will see the statue of Christ. Monasterio de Tarlac is on top of the mountain.

Considering the location, the Monasterio de Tarlac in Brgy. Lubigan, San Jose, Tarlac was filled with pilgrims. The parking lot was full with cars and passenger buses. There was a celebration of the liturgy ongoing until 5 p.m. but we were blessed with another celebration even if we arrived at 4:30 p.m. The priest gave a homily on forgiveness. I felt the burden of life being lifted from me and with it came the enlightenment of how simple life was meant to be lived - to love others which meant to continue and repeatedly forgiving them as well as ourselves. The burden of spite and guilt and sin is so heavy that it brings us incapable of love. Blessing was given and we were allowed to touch the receptacle holding the relic of the true cross. We were earlier told of the story of how the wooden cross was discovered and how a tiny part of it came into possession of the Monasterio. I have read and heard out the skeptics and here is what I choose to believe: I believe that God sent his son who became human so that we will believe in God. The relic, wherever its source may be, is simply a symbol and a reminder of God's message of love. Knowing that and holding it in my heart is more than enough.