Two Shrines at a Time in Bocaue Part 1: Lolomboy Parish / Shrine of St. Kim Andrew

Part 1: Shrine of St. Andrew Kim

Bocaue, Bulacan...known as the "Fireworks Capital of the Philippines"
There is more to fireworks --> I should say.
So in order to prove that, I went there and see for myself what is to discover.

April 23, 2015: Went to Bocaue. It is relatively near from my hometown. 
From Meycauayan I will pass by the municipality of Marilao then after is the municipality of Bocaue.

When I reached the Mc-Arthur Hi-way Meycauayan, I noticed a manong selling some art stuff. I approached him...

Manong Teddyboy, demonstrating his spiral stencil art.

"35 pesos lang pang-habangbuhay na ito, kasama mga ballpen 50 pesos lang o"

His name is manong Teddyboy, a resident from Santa Maria, Bulacan. He usually sell his wares in Santa Maria. But today, he went to Meycauayan to sell his wares: colored ballpen and spiral stencils. . I bought one of his stencils and continue with the short journey to Bocaue.

The Marilao River

The busy scene in Tabing-Ilog Market

It is quite easy to go here. 

At first, I do not really know where is the exact location of the place. What I only know is that the shrine is located at Lolomboy, other than that, I just trusted my instinct. 

Turns out I am doing well...

Before the shrine, there is a church under construction, Simbahan ng Sto. Cristo at San Andres Kim Tae-Gon

The arch that welcomes you to the complex of St. Andrew Kim Shrine

One of the Adoration Chapels

Quite fascinating how Catholic religion is appropriated by adapting Asian architecture to the structures. See the crosses?

When you enter the complex of the Shrine of St. Kim Andrew, you might feel you are in a different country (ignoring the hot / humid weather!)

St. Andrew Kim Tae Gon is believed to be the first Korean Catholic. He was ebatified by Pope Pius XI on July 5, 1925 and canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 6, 1984. St. Kim was enthroned as secondary Patron Saint of Lolomboy Parish (as stated in the memorial tablet). St. Kim has a great significance to Lolomboy, Bocaue as he went to here during his stay in the Philippines to study. 

Korean nuns planting flower shrubs

The image of Mother Mary with the Child appropriated for the Korean Catholics

Inside the Adoration chapel resembling a Buddhist temple, as you may worship or meditate sitting on the floor. At the center of the cross, you will find the bone relic from the elbow of St. Kim himself.

A Bible in the Korean language

I do not know much about architectural designs, but I would say this would-be structure is heavily European-inspired.

Constructions are still ongoing on the complex. One building that I noticed are the picture above, it seems like a mansion. Out of curiosity, I entered inside upon the approval of one of the kuya  in the construction. 

The building is almost complete. The facade is of European inspired.
What is being left to built is the topmost deck of the building. 
Inside the building, rooms can be seen. 
Perhaps the building would be for seminarians or nuns. 
I do not know yet. 

We'll see in the future...

Painting inside a chapel

View of Mt. Arayat from the deck of the building being constructed

Writing on a green mango

Fishponds just behind the complex

The Shrine of St. Andrew Kim is located at Lolomboy Bocaue, Bulacan.

From Meycauayan Mc-Arthur Hi-way:
-Take the jeep going to Bocaue and tell the driver to take you off at Lolomboy The landmark would be McDonalds and Jolibee.
-Cross the street and walk straight ahead. The Shrine would be a hundred meters away. You will pass by a gate guarded, tell the security guard that you will go to the shrine.  


From Metro Manila:
-FX to Bocaue or Bus to Santa Maria would be an option
-From Bocaue exit NLEX, you can take a jeep going to Meycauayan, Monumento, Malanday. Tell the driver to take you off at Lolomboy, Bocaue. The landmark would be McDonalds and Jolibee (I do not exactly know where is the last destination of FX to Bocaue)
-Walk straight ahead from Mcdo. The Shrine would be a hundred meters away. You will pass by a gate guarded, tell the security guard that you will go to the shrine. 


*The complex is open from 7:00am-12:00nn; 1:00pm-5:00pm

The view from the deck. See the Sierra Madre Mountain Range?