Mt. Zion Chapel and Retreat House

Mt. Zion has a chapel and spiritual retreat house. It is on a big hill but not so high. The resident priest and brothers hold a weekly mass there on Sunday morning, and on certain occasions. Bien and Elle posing near the altar.

Behind the chapel is a wide sala that also functions as a big meeting room. It is surrounded by various paintings and sculptures.

Among the paintings on the wall.

The various sculptures, most are made of wood, some of marble or other materials.

I presume most of these were donated by various supporters of the church. Or were collected from other churches.

The resident priest there is Fr. Albert, he is a fellow Ilongo. He comes from Cabatuan, Iloilo. This was taken after the mass, and we said ba-bye. We stayed at the dorm or retreat house the night before because we were 7 and we could not fit at the farm caretaker's house.

We occupied two rooms. Elle visiting her Tita Baby's room. The hallway with Fr. Albert. He does not charge per room fee, so we only gave a donation to the church, which he hesitantly accepted. There were no other guests that night. But on certain occasions like at least once a monthly retreat recollections, Holy Week, Christmas season, the facility is full of guests and visitors.

The long chairs in the chapel are made of thick and old wood, "antiq"(?) materials.
Thanks again, Fr. Albert for accommodating us that night. We will come back, with other friends and guests.

* See also Mt. Zion, Bugallon Pangasinan

Mt. Zion, Bugallon Pangasinan

More than two weeks ago, I brought again my family to the Millora Farm in Brgy. Laguit Padilla, Bugallon, Pangasinan. My wife's younger sister joined. Just next to the farm is "Mt. Zion Pilgrim Mountain" owned and developed by one religious congregation. They have large than life statues of the 14 stations of the cross. Below is Station 1, "The Last Supper". My family with me.

The distance between stations is about 25 meters perhaps. This place attracts hundreds, perhaps thousands, of visitors during the Holy Week.

The last and 14th station is on top  of a hill. It can be a difficult and a bit steep climb by foot.

We did not walk of course, my old but reliable pick up can  climb it easily. Elle Marie with her Tita Baby. Our caretaker Danny Paragas also joined with his two kids.

There is a 360 deg view on top of that hill. Below, top view is towards Lingayen Gulf and the sea. Lower two photos are towards the uplands.

The public forest land is generally denuded of big trees. Only small, regenerating trees, grasses and vines thrive here. There is annual grassfire, plus intrusion by small illegal logging for firewood, lumber and charcoal making.

Across this river is another barangay of Bugallon. I noticed there is a newly-constructed dam, it's good. It should be able to irrigate rice fields and vegetable farms below.

* See also Western Pangasinan, April 18, 2006