I wouldn't have known that it exists if I weren't from Tarlac.

It is a steep climb and you would

see it's really atop a mountain. your car should be in good condition when you go there. jeepneys
even put rock or kalso while going up. once up there, you'll say that it's definitely worth it. aside
from the Holy Relic being there, the scenery was just so wonderful. there are also other activities
after attending the mass. you can either go up to have picnic at the grove or go down to swim in
the river in Lubigan or do sport activities at Tarlac Recreational Park.
Our first time to visit the Sacred Relic as part of our Visita Iglesia. Make sure your your cars are
well maintained if you plan to visit the place since it's location is located on top of the mountain
in San Jose, quite far but the 34kms distance from Tarlac City is definitely worth it - people there
are very organized, visible security, ample parking space, well paved roads. They put up a video
" Passion of Christ" for people waiting in next shift prior to attending mass and ceremony
(touching the golden box where the relic is intombed). You can feel the sincerity of the
Monastery brothers as they welcome you and feel the solemnity of the place. They also have free
comfort rooms. Food sale for devotees outside the church. A very good place to make sacrifices
and feel the warmth and goodness of our Creator.
On our way to the Monastery, the sun was bright and it was a beautiful morning drive on a
narrow paved road which seemed to take us to the middle of nowhere. Signages were
inconsistent and somewhat confusing. We made one wrong turn and lost our way a couple of
times. As we finally found the right way to our destination, we enjoyed the fresh air drive
through cattle farms, and endless dense growth of trees and shrubs through a winding road up to
the top of the mountain where the sprawling monastery was located.
It was spacious at the top with some building structures, a chapel, a picnic area and big clean
restrooms. The huge statue of the Risen Christ stood at the edge of the cliff overlooking the vast
mountain terrain and a spectacular view. After frantic photoshoots happened, we wandered
around the grounds to appreciate the solemnity of the surroundings. We attended mass at the
beautiful chapel and afterwards, we lined up for the veneration of the sacred relic of the holy
Cross.
The picnic area is built along the mountain slope. Concrete picnic tables were built on the steps
of a cultivated terrace garden, where people can sit and eat their snack "baon" while enjoying the
180 degree panoramic views.
While it was the statue of the risen Christ at the mountain top which enticed us to come visit,
while the breathtaking view wowed us, and while the attitude of the monastery humbled us, it
was the veneration of the sacred relic of the holy Cross and what it symbolized that was so
mentally and emotionally refreshing...

Thinking of returning in the near future with my daughter and grandchildren. Also it's at the top
on my list of places to show off to my siblings when our reunion finally happens.

Isdaan is a theme park cum resto beautifully designed, very attractive from the outside. It boast
of Filipino dishes plus the feel of native entertainers while eating, fishing, fish feeding and just
appreciating the ambience, a landscape of towering fishes, dinosaurs, gorillas and buddha
statues, water fountains and nipa huts floating. We ordered a platter of seafood and its a bit
pricey but just typical taste. They have the TACSIYAPO wall for those who wanted to release
their angers, throw away their anguishes. Simply by buying some fragile stuffs price ranged from
php100 up, like plates, glasses, saucers, and the high valued ones like old TV Sets priced from
php1000 up. Throw as hard as it can be against the wall. Bang! its broken but its kind of relief.

Good pitstop on the way up Northern Luzon

Reviewed April 20, 2013
If you're on your way to Baguio or the northern part of Luzon, Isdaan Gerona is a worthwhile
pitstop for lunch or snacks.

Set in the middle of a rice field, the expansive restaurant serves Filipino cuisine, from the staples
like adobo, grilled meats and seafood, sinigang to dishes like the delicious banana leaf-wrapped
chicken steamed in coconut milk. You'll dine in bamboo huts on top of a manmade lake, crossing
bamboo bridges. You can even fish for your food, for a fee of course.

The restaurant has plenty of diversions like huge sculptures for picture taking, an obstacle course
across the lake, the aforementioned fishing, a "Taksiyapo" wall where you can relieve stress by
throwing stuff like clay pots to broken TV sets. There's also a random Iron Man statue thrown in
for good measure.

The place does get crowded, so expect a little delay in service. But the staff are earnest and
obviously trying their best (especially navigating those tricky bamboo bridges while carrying
trays of food). The food is a little bit on the expensive side compared to other roadside
restaurants but the charm and uniqueness makes up for it.

En route to Baguio, you have got to stop and eat at Isdaan Floating Restaurant, if not for the
food, then for the interesting nature of the place.
The first time I wrote about Isdaan, I did a daytrip (balikan) road trip with Jasper to Baguio last
yearwhere we went to Baguio and back to Manila in one day. Back then, we passed the place on
the way back. This trip was a little shorter.
On this day, I invited a friend of mine to lunch in Tarlac. Yes in Tarlac! I wanted to show
him this fascinating restaurant, not so much for the food but for the place itself. We got there in
just two hours. We left Manila at around 9:30am and got to Isdaan at around 11:24am. We went
via NLEX then SCTEX. Isdaan in Gerona is just a few minutes from the SCTEX exit (at the end
of the road) by the time you get on McArthur Highway heading for Baguio.
What strikes me as fascinating are the huge statues all over the place. There is no restaurant (or
theme park) in the Philippines like this. Food aside, the place is a visual sensation. Definitely a
perfect place for photographers to get their fill. As you walk in, you get to wonder what the
inspiration of the place is. To a certain degree it kid of reminds me of Thailand. Not in an
authentic sense, but the huge statues of monkeys and Buddhas give you that sense.
As we walked in, a hostess guided us to our table. And as we walked along the kawayan
corridors, we could tempted by some stuff cooking away
The name Isdaan Floating Restaurant is quite deceptive. It really isnt floating. You have the
appearance of floating huts (Its actually a cement structure with pools and fountains). But I may
say, it is quite a quality piece of work. We placed our order, but I will put the discussion on food
and what we ate later on in this blog. For now, let us concentrate on the place first.

These gigantic monkey statues take a humorous twist on hear no evil, see no evil, speak no
evil.
Tacsiyapo Wall
Most blog posts on Isaan mention the Tacsiyapo Wall. Personally, this isnt a big thing. But it is
interesting to note. What it is is a wall where you can vent your frustrations by throwing your
choice of plates (or even TVs) at the wall.
In Kapampangan (by the way, I am of pure Kapampangan decent) Tacsiyapo is an all purpose
term which could be used to express anger and even amusement. Though in this context, I guess
it is the former which is used. Its meaning is similar to the variuos usage of Putang Ina in
the proper intonation could be used for anger, frustration, surprise, amusement, humor, and a few
other emotions.
Food
Ok, I might as well discuss the food. Some blogs that discuss Isdaan had some negative
comments on the food. Let me start by saying that Isdaan is part of the Barrio Fiesta Restaurant
Group. You could tell by the signages of various Barrio Fiesta establishments all over the place.
That said, the menu is made of food you can get at these establishments.
Thats not necessarily a bad thing. But at the same time, dont expect some particularly unique
food. Taste is relative. For the food we ordered we were very happy.
Here is what we ordered:

Tinupig Lechon Manok. Its a very tasty version of roasted chicken. Its one of their specialties
and I highly recommend this.
The food was great. And considering we were just two. Was quite a lot. I took home the left over
chicken and Bicol express.
And so after lunch it was time to make our way back to Manila.
but we decided to make a stop in Angeles City but that is another post.

The History Remains at Aquino Center and Museum

The Aquino Center and Museum is one of the best places to visit when revisiting the history of
the Philippines. It is located in Hacienda Luisita, San Miguel, Tarlac City. It is established as a
tribute to the two beloved Filipino icons of democracy, the late Sen. Benigno Ninoy Aquino
Jr. and his wife, the late President Corazon Cory Aquino.
Filipinos have been through a lot to achieve and restore the democracy in our country. Ninoy
and Cory inspired the world with how they fought the battle for our nation and democracy. The
couple had a great story in Philippine History.
The Aquino Center Museum was designed by a distinguished Filipino architect, Francisco
Manosa, and is being maintained by the Benigno Aquino Jr. Foundation.
The museum houses an anthology of photographs and memorabilia of the Aquino Family
showcasing the legacy of the late Sen. Ninoy and late Pres. Cory Aquino. It has an excellent
and interesting historic review of the lives of both Corazon and Ninoy.

When visiting the museum, visitors will able to get much information about the family of
Aquino that has connection in Philippine History.

A relic of the holy cross in Monasterio de Tarlac

By KIM ARVEEN PATRIA
Surrounded by a verdant spread of green, a hilltop in Tarlac stands in stark comparison
to the deathly Calvary, which is believed to be the place of Jesus' crucifixion.
But pilgrims hoping to recall Christ's Passion flock to a sanctuary nestled therein, to
venerate the "one true cross" and to celebrate Jesus' resurrection.
Monasterio de Tarlac in San Jose, Tarlac, holds a relic of the cross accepted by the
Roman Catholic Church as the one where Christ died. The monastery is run by
the Servants of the Risen Christ (SRC) Monastic Community, which was founded by Fr.
Ronald Thomas Cortez in 1998.
In the middle of the secluded compound, surrounded by a piazza reminiscent of
European churches, is a baroque chapel with an imposing facade which serves as
the cross's reliquary. The relic, authenticated by a papal seal, is said to be part of the
cross discovered by Saint Helena, the mother Emperor Constantine the Great.
Religious accounts say Helena found three crosses and, to determine the cross of
Christ, asked a dying woman to touch all three. The woman suddenly recovered
when she touched the final cross. For Filipinos, the story of Helena, though seldom told,
is remembered through the pageant Santacruzan held on the last day of a
month-long festival in May in honor of the Virgin Mary called "Flores de Mayo (Flowers
of May)."
How to get there
From Manila, take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)-Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway
(SCTEX), exit at Hacienda Luisita. Proceed to Tarlac City and turn left after
Sogo Hotel and before SM. Follow the road leading to Brgy. Tibag junction going to
Monasterio de Tarlac at Eco-Tourism Park, San Jose, Tarlac.

From the North, upon reaching Tarlac City, take a right turn going to Uniwide Mall.
Follow the service road, turn right to Carangian Bridge and follow markers leading
to the monastery.
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