I wouldn't have known that it exists if I weren't from . 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 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 isn’t floating. You have the appearance of floating huts (It’s 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 isn’t 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. It’s 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.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. But at the same time, don’t 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. It’s a very tasty version of roasted chicken. It’s 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 , 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. HIDE THUMBNAILS View All