It was a different kind of religious journey for the bikers of Batangas and nearby areas, as Lima Park Hotel organized another biking event in time for the Lenten season, Bisikleta Iglesia 2017, which is now on its 4th year.
It’s so nice of Lima Park Hotel to initiate this kind of activity. Aside from a different spiritual journey where bikers can reflect and contemplate about their faith and life, the hotel also wanted to promote fitness and ecotourism through biking and having stopovers on different churches in Batangas, pedaling from one church to another.
As early as 5A.M, bikers started to arrive to register for the Bisikleta Iglesia 2017. For Php398 Registration fee, bikers were able to enjoy a yummy breakfast(Goto and Tokwang Baboy), packed snacks given on some church stops, a buffet lunch, a commemorative Bisikleta Iglesia 2017 jersey and a raffle entry which gave the bikers a chance to win amazing prizes like Lima Park Hotel gift certificates and bike parts and accessories. Lima Park Hotel also offered a special Bisikleta Iglesia Weekend promo for only P2,950 for an overnight stay in a Superior Room(max. of 4 persons) with complimentary breakfast for 2.
This year’s Bisikleta Iglesia gained an added spiritual dimension as Father Robert Reyes, also known as the “Running Priest” led the bikers to 7 churches spanning more than 50 kilometers of rustic roads in Batangas.
“We are blessed because for the first time we are having a priest join our Bisikleta Iglesia. The participation of Fr. Robert Reyes no doubt makes this Bisikleta Iglesia more meaningful and inspiring,” says Rose Landicho, Lima Park Hotel’s Director for Marketing and Corporate Communications.
Before heading to the starting line, Father Robert gave the bikers some safety advises followed by a prayer and blessing of holy water.
Bisikleta Iglesia 2017 was participated by over a hundred bikers with ages 11 years old to 67 years old. All bikers pedaled their way to 7 churches to complete the 14 Stations of the Cross as they enjoyed the scenic routes in Batangas which started in Malvar, to the hilly winding roads of Balete, all the way to the town of Lipa which is dubbed as the “Little Rome of Philippines”.
“We’re slowly attracting more and more people from different age groups and with different interest to this religious adventure. Last year, we had an interesting mix of locals, domestic tourists, and foreigners. We also had professional, non-pro bikers, and enthusiasts whose age ranged as young as 10 years old to 65 years old,” says Bong Evangelista Jr., Lima Park Hotel’s Resident Manager.
Here are the 7 churches included in this year’s Bisikleta Iglesia.
1st STOP: Sto. Nino Parish Church in Marawoy
2nd STOP: Sacred Heart Chapel in Marian Orchard in Balete
3rd STOP: Divino Amor Chapel-Redemptorist in Lipa
4th STOP: Parish of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace in Lipa
We were not able to visit this church because our van got stuck in the traffic. So we just followed the bikers to their next church stop.
5th STOP: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Monastery
6th STOP: Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian
7th STOP: Parish Church of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
7 churches. 14 Stations of the Cross. Done.
Even if i’m not a catholic and did not biked my way to each church, I really did enjoy this activity and I appreciate the dedication and faith of the bikers who joined. I believe, It doesn’t matter what religion you are in as long as we worship and praise the one and only God and Savior Jesus Christ. That’s the most important thing.
Thank you so much again Lima Park Hotel for inviting us to witness this momentous event. For reservations and bookings, you may contact Lima Park Hotel at (043) 981.1555 and (0917) 504.2385.
