How to go Caleruega: A tour to Caleruega for less than 500 pesos

 Close to Nature, closer to God. Silence, solitude, harmony, the majesty of creation, the freedom of Light, the passion to share God’s word, the seedbed of preachers, the cornerstone of spiritual inspiration – this is CALERUEGA.

         The place was located at Barangay Caylaway, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas. It was established by the Filipino Dominicans and named after the birthplace of their founder St. Dominic de Guzman, father of the Ordeal of Preachers, to honour and remember his legacy. Their vision and mission is to envision Caleruega to be home amidst the beauty of nature where pilgrims are open to prayer, to creative transformation, and to Gospel values such as the passion for truth, compassion for humanity, authentic human development, solidarity and reverence for life and integrity of creation.

          Caleruega picturesque become popular place for weddings and receptions. The place is also for recollections, leadership and team building camps, prayer and renewal workshops, marriage and family encounters and for art, music, liturgy and care for creation workshops.

Upon entering the place you have to pay Php 30.00 as entrance fee. Collected fees will be using for maintenance and development of the retreat center. After you pay for the entrance fee they will give you a pamphlet which serves as your guide in visiting the place.

As you enter the place, you will see the Fountain Compass just in front of the Dominicum’s Grand stairway. 

 

 

Passing by the Dominicum’s grand stairway and the Veritas hall you will see the St. Dominic’s Point. While passing through the Veritas hall I saw some pictures of children from Babuyan Group of islands which is an educational outreach program of the Dominicans. For more info you can click here.

 

Going up, you will pass by the Tomasino Hall and Gazekubo. Then if you keep walking up you will pass through the tuktok and you will see the Transfiguration Chapel which is one of the highlights of the place. In front of the Transfiguration Chapel is the statue of “Thy will be done”. 

 

 

 

Then at the back of the church there is way going down where it leads you to Our Lady of the Rosary.

 At the Fountain Compass you will see a sign going to other spots. First timers are having a hard time to find this place so better look for the signs as it leads you the way. Going to Tent chapel of Transfiguration which is at the top of the hill you will pass through first the Manaoag Drive Via Cruisis where there are wooden sculptures at the side of the street.

 

After passing through the Manaoag Drive you can have some refreshment at Garden Cafe’s refreshing delights which is beside of the plant nursery’s and in front of Kampo Arriba. 

 

Entering at the Kampo Arriba at your right side is the Kampo Terraces and Amphitheatre where there are tents provided so you and your family and friends can have a picnic on the place.

 

 

At the walkway you will see the koi pond where koi fishes and turtles swimming together at the pond. 

 

If you continue walking at the left side you will see the hanging bridge where it leads the way to the tent chapel. But after you pass the hanging bridge you must climb up first with around 370 steps going to the tent chapel.

 

This is how it looks going up to the tent chapel. Beside the walkway there are seats provided and there are also stores that sell snacks like banana cue and buko juice. 

 

After climbing the stairs, on top of it is the Tent Chapel of Transfiguration.

 

 

After going up this is how it looks like going down. 

 

How to go to Caleruega:

For Commuters: From Edsa Taft ride a bus going to Balayan or Nasugbu that passes through Tagaytay City and Evercrest golf club.

Drop off at Evercrest Golf club. Then ride a  tricycle going to Caleruega, drop off Caleruega (better to advise the tricycle driver to fetch you at agreed time or you can also ask his cell phone number so you can call him if you are done visiting Caleruega.

           For Private Cars: From Makati take the ramp on the left onto Metro Manila skyway. Then merge onto Metro Manila skyway and take the exit toward Calamba/SLEX. Merge onto South Luzon expressway/Pan-Philippine highway/R-3 and take the exit 49 toward Batino. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit

Turn left and continue onto Ciudad  de Calamba rd. Then turn left toward Kay-Anlog rd. and turn right onto Kay-Anlog rd. At Kay-Anlog rd turns slightly left and becomes barangay Bubuyan. Then, at Barangay Bubuyan turns slightly right and becomes Burol rd. Turn left onto Tagaytay-Calamba rd.

and turn right to stay on Tagatay-Calamba rd. At Tagaytay Rotonda, continue straight onto Tagaytay-Nasugbu and turn right at Batulao rd.Continue onto Caleruega rd (destination will be on the left.)

Expenses:

 Bus to Evercrest – Php 111.00

 Tricycle to Caleruega -  50.00

  Entrance fee -  30.00

 Tricycle to Evercrest -  50.00

  Bus to Edsa Taft -         111.00

  Buko tart -           10.00

 Buko Juice -           20.00

Total Expenses - Php. 382.00    

Their schedule for mass is every Sunday at 11:00 am at Transfiguration Chapel 

For inquiries you can send them email to caleruega-philippines@yahoo.com or you may contact them on numbers +63 921 270 9890 or +63 921 830 4226. Office hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.