Lakabay Lakaran sa Quiapo
Lakbay Lakaran is an event - a journey on foot that melds together the concept of the pilgrimage, present day tour and the energy of the fiesta. It is unique for it is experiential and contextualized within the Filipino cultural heritage.
Started sometime in 1987 by Dr. Teresita “Tess” B. Obusan.
LAKBAY LAKARAN SA QUIAPO was originally called LAKARAN SA QUIAPO. Lakaran means journey on foot, but to further emphasize the theme, the word lakbay which means travel was added.
Lakaran is based on Hermano Pule’s (1815-1841) concept of journeying with fellow countrymen to empower them. The concept has been appropriated to the pilgri...mage tour around the Quiapo area where participants see not only the sights, but also experience the deeper meaning of PAKIKIPAGKAPWA (relationship) and its symbolic meaning – that in life we are all into a common journey. The description of Ileto, a well known Filipino scholar, about the lakaran aptly fits this pilgrimage tour – “. . . a journey - an event ….”
The Lakbay Lakaran is unique for t is not only a tour - but it is also an event. The event – PAMANA-RAAN (Zerrudo 2008) includes a run through on early Filipino culture, the pintigan – an experience in Filipino music and dance and the baybayin – where one learns to write the ancient Filipino writing system. A lunch of the best of Quiapo fare in the historic and beautiful Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, caps this unique pilgrimage tour.
The Lakbay Lakaran is a total experience – a walk through history. One not only sees the sights, but experiences its deeper meaning – fellow pilgrims experiencing the journey of Everyman.
THE QUIAPO EXPERIENCE
Quiapo is one of the ancient kingdoms along the Pasig River. When the Spaniards arrived they found a group of islets near the Pasig, its waterways filled with a cabbage-like plant called KIYAPO (pista stratiotes) hence its name. Quiapo shared in the prosperity of the galleon trade between the Philippines and Mexico evident in the now fast disappearing heritage houses popularly known as bahay na bato (house of stone) along R. Hidalgo Street.
Quiapo is best known for the popular devotion to the BLACK NAZARENE where close to a million people attend the annual fiesta. Nearby is the GOLDEN MOSQUE surrounded by a Muslim community with its own distinctive ambience seen in the food, clothing and merchandise. At the end of R. Hidalgo is SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH with its towering spires – the only all-steel structure in this part of the world. One other landmark is the Pagoda - an architectural structure of eclectic Asian themes which was built before the Second World War.
BAHAY NAKPIL-BAUTISTA – is not only a fine example of the bahay na bato with influences from the Viennese Secession architectural style - but it is also home to a number of Filipino heroes. Among them being Gregoria de Jesus (Oriang) widow of Andres Bonifacio; who remarried to Julio Napkin, a fellow Katipunero ; Dr. Ariston Bautista, propagandist and friend of Rizal and Juan Napkil, a national artist in Filipino architecture.
Aside from being a museum, Bahay Nakpil -Bautista is also a community center for the surrounding barangay communities. Through a corps of volunteers, it conducts an art program for barangay tanod and their families. Activities include seminars, visits to places of artistic interest like museums, parks and cultural events. It also conducts seminars and story-telling activities for the neighborhood kids.
Present day Quiapo pulsates with life – as its ancient heritage flows into the present day world.
Quiapo is so rich and varied that there are those who consider Quiapo to be a microcosm of the Philippines – a tapestry of its diverse culture.
TYPES OF LAKBAY LAKARAN SA QUIAPO:
Half Day Walking Tour
3 to 4 hours
Morning or afternoon
Morning tour without lunch - 5 to 20 journeyers /kaalakbay
Morning tour with lunch - 15 to 20 journeyers /kaalakbay
Afternoon tour without merienda - 5 to 20 journeyers /kaalakbay
Afternoon tour with merienda (snack) - 15 to 20 journeyers /kaalakbay
Whole Day Tour (Walking Tour and PAMANA-RAAN activities)
6 to 7 hours
With lunch and afternoon merienda - 15 to 20 journeyers /kaalakbay
RATES AND INFORMATION, please get in touch with:
Dr. Tess Obusan
Mobile: +63932.480.7257 or +632.345.5755
Email: tessie.obusan@yahoo.com.ph
