Morong, Rizal

 Morong is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Rizal and is the home of the very very beautiful St. Joseph Parish Church.  Education is a priority in Morong and thus became a center of education in the 70's to the 90's.

The facade of St. Joseph Parish Church is very beautiful.  I was captivated by its beauty and its work of art.  It is built by Chinese craftsmen in 1615. Lion sculptures are evidence of this fact but unfortunately one was stolen.  Seeing the facade in the picture is already jaw-dropping but wait until you are actually standing in front of the church and experience it live :)

There is nothing much to see or do in Morong, we just went there to see the majestic facade of St. Joseph Parish Church.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Going to Morong is easily accessible via the Manila East Road.  Head towards Ortigas Ave. Extension, you will be passing by Cainta, Taytay, Angono, Binangonan and Cardona.  Each town/city has its own pride and you can stop in each as you head towards Morong.  After Morong, if you decide to continue, you will reach Baras and Tanay which is the home of another 2 remarkable church.

Bamboo Organ - Las Piñas City

The famous Las Piñas Bamboo Organ is located in St. Joseph Parish Church at the city of Las Piñas. (Southern Metro Manila) The organ is declared as a National Cultural Treasure.  The address of the church where the Bamboo organ is housed is P. Diego Cera Ave., Manuyo, Poblacion, Las Piñas City.

Upon our arrival in St. Joseph Parish Church, we were hoping that the Bamboo organ is being played but we didn't expect much since it was not on a Sunday.  Luckily, there was an on-going wedding celebration inside the church and we are blessed enough that the organ is indeed playing.  Seeing the organ is one thing, hearing it play is another.  Such a wonderful creation, organ out of bamboo.  It is what I called:  Proudly Philippine Made :)

The International Bamboo Organ Festival is from February 23 to 29, 2012.  Please visit http://www.bambooorgan.org/news.html for more information.

How To Get There:

By Car -- I suggest you ply Cavitex (Manila-Cavite Expressway) instead of using SLEX (South Luzon Expressway).  Not only the location of the church is near Cavitex its also WAY CHEAPER!.  From Makati, take EDSA, take the u-turn slot before going to MOA and then pass by Roxas Blvd.  Just go straight and you will see the toll gate of Cavitex.  Exit at Zapote.