Discover the Philippines: A Journey of Faith, Flavor, and Filipino Spirit

In the Cradle of Christianity in Asia

With Father Jake Mullin, Spiritual Director

Note: Travel dates Feb 1-2, Arrive Manila on Feb 3

For some, it’s their first time. For others, it’s a return home.

Whether you’re here to discover or rediscover the Philippines, this pilgrimage invites you to walk in faith, connect with community, and experience the beauty of this journey—spiritually, culturally, and personally.

You’ll travel across Luzon and Visayas, from the northern churches of Manaoag and Antipolo, through the cobblestone streets of Vigan and Paoay, and onward to Cebu and Bohol, where faith first took root in the Philippines over 500 years ago.

Walk the centuries-old paths of Christianity, from the Minor Basilica of Manaoag (1605) to the Santo Niño of Cebu (1565), the oldest Catholic church in the country. Pray in UNESCO World Heritage churches, offer intentions at miraculous Marian shrines, and celebrate Mass in places where history and devotion come together.

And the journey doesn’t end at the churches and shrines.

• Taste your way through the regions—from the crispy bite of Vigan empanada, to the world-famous Carcar lechon, to an organic farm-to-table dinner in Bohol.

• Discover colonial towns and coastal cities, stroll through cobblestone streets, and reflect on the country’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.

• Relax on the white-sand beaches of Panglao and Cebu, where crystal-clear waters invite you to unwind, reconnect, and restore.

• Take time to pray, reflect, and bond with fellow pilgrims, but also enjoy the freedom to shop for local crafts and souvenirs, bringing home meaningful mementos of your journey.

This Pilgrimage Is For You If:

• You seek a faith-filled journey that also celebrates life’s beauty

• You want to walk in the footsteps of Filipino devotion and Christian history

• You love authentic cultural immersion and culinary discovery

• You believe rest is part of the pilgrimage—whether it’s quiet beach time, reflection, or simply pausing to take in the view

• You enjoy a balance of prayer, travel, reflection, relaxation, and cultural exploration

Come Pray. Come Taste. Come Rest. Come Home.

Whether you’re discovering the Philippines for the first time or returning to your roots, this journey invites you to pray, explore, savor, shop, and belong.

Travel for Her Freedom

A portion of every journey you take supports more than just the places you visit, it helps change lives. Through our Belong & Empower Mission Fund, we invest in projects that create dignity, opportunity, and empowerment. One of these projects is our Travel for Her Freedom initiative, to support the programs and initiatives of Mary Queen of Heaven Missionaries (MQHM.org).

How It Works:

For every travel day, we invest $1 per traveler to supporting Mary Queen of Heaven Missionaries (MQHM) in their mission to rescue, shelter, and empower girls and women who are survivors of human trafficking in the Philippines. Your pilgrimage isn’t just about visiting places of faith, it helps others begin their own journey toward safety, healing, and a renewed life filled with hope.

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Dear Friends in Christ,

Mabuhay!

Peace be with you!

I’d like to personally invite you to join me on this special pilgrimage sa Pilipinas, a journey that’s about more than just travel. It’s about walking through places where faith has lived for centuries, where prayers have been whispered under ancient church ceilings, and where devotion is woven into everyday life.

We’ll celebrate Mass together in some of the most significant spiritual sites in Asia, from the Basilica of Manaoag, where millions have sought healing, to the Santo Niño of Cebu, the very heart of Filipino Catholicism. Along the way, we’ll pray, reflect, and experience moments of peace, whether that’s in a quiet chapel or while looking out over the rolling hills of Bohol.

But pilgrimage isn’t just about church visits. It’s about being present, embracing the journey itself. We’ll walk historic streets in Vigan, savor meals that tell stories of Filipino hospitality, and yes, we’ll have time to rest, enjoy the sea breeze, and watch the sunset from white-sand beaches in Panglao and Cebu.

If you’ve ever wanted to explore the roots of faith in the Philippines or reconnect with a part of yourself you may have set aside, this is your chance.

I hope you’ll consider joining me for this pilgrimage, one that is close to my own heart. I look forward to traveling with you, praying with you, and sharing this meaningful experience together.

St. James, patron of pilgrims, pray for us.

Pagpalain ka po ng Diyos,

Fr. Jake Mullin

Allocate 2 days to arrive in Manila from Canada.

Welcome to the Pearl of the Orient!

Arrive in Manila, where faith and history intertwine. Our first stop is Ermita Church, home of the Nuestra Señora de Guia, the oldest Marian image in the Philippines, dating back to 1571. It survived countless disasters, including the WWII bombings.

Culinary Highlight:

Start your day with a Filipino-Chinese meal, inspired by the recipes of Manila’s Binondo district, the oldest Chinatown in the world. Try the Pugon-Roasted Asado, a staple since 1936.

Evening:

Enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation, setting the tone for this journey of discovery.

Important Note: Please plan to arrive in Manila on February 3, 2026, with a morning arrival if possible to align with the start of our group activities.

Overnight : Manila

After breakfast, begin the day at Quiapo Church, formally the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, completed in 1933, though devotion to the Nazarene began in 1606 when the image arrived from Mexico. Its annual Traslación draws millions of barefoot devotees, the largest religious procession in Asia.

Next, step into Intramuros, founded in 1571:

• Manila Cathedral, originally built in 1581 (current structure from 1958)

• Fort Santiago, built in 1593, where Dr. José Rizal was imprisoned before his execution in 1896

• San Agustin Church, completed in 1607, the oldest stone church in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Fun Trivia:

Intramuros was once the seat of Spanish colonial power for over 300 years. Everything outside was simply called "the provinces."

In the afternoon, visit Baclaran Church, the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, established in 1958, known for its perpetual Wednesday novenas that attract thousands.

Dinner is along Roxas Boulevard, enjoying views of Manila’s iconic sunset.

Overnight : Manila

After breakfast, travel to Antipolo Cathedral, home of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, enshrined since 1626. This image accompanied galleon ships during the Manila-Acapulco trade, believed to safeguard sailors from storms and pirates.

At Regina RICA, marvel at the 71-foot-tall Queen of the Holy Rosary statue, nestled in the lush hills of Tanay, Rizal.

Culinary Highlight:

Savor Filipino favorites like kare-kare and crispy pata, dishes that have brought families together for generations.

Overnight : Manila

After breakfast, say goodbye to Manila and travel to Manaoag, home to the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, established in 1605.

The Virgin is believed to have appeared to a farmer, asking that a church be built—sparking centuries of devotion and pilgrimage.

Culinary Highlight:

Try Pangasinan’s famous Bangus (milkfish), a regional delicacy celebrated every May in the Bangus Festival.

Overnight in Pangasinan

After breakfast, we continue our journey north to explore Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded in the 16th century. Wander through Calle Crisologo, where cobblestones and colonial houses tell stories of Spanish rule.

Attend Mass at the Vigan Cathedral (St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral), completed in 1800, and experience a slice of Ilocano faith and tradition.

Culinary Highlight:

Sample the famous Vigan Empanada, dating back to the Spanish era but with a unique local twist.

Overnight in Vigan.

After breakfast and check-out, begin your journey through Ilocos Norte, a region steeped in faith, history, and tradition.

In the morning, visit the iconic Bantay Bell Tower, explore Parburnayan Jar-Making, and enjoy the scenic stop at Baluarte.

For lunch (on your own account), try Ilocano favorites like bagnet, poqui-poqui, or dinengdeng, dishes known for bold, rustic flavors.

In the afternoon:

• Marvel at Paoay Church (1710), a UNESCO-listed Baroque masterpiece.

• Visit Malacañang of the North, once a presidential residence overlooking Paoay Lake.

• Pause at the peaceful Chinese Garden.

Diner and overnight: Viven Hotel, Laoag

After breakfast, we fly south to Cebu, where Christianity was first introduced in the Philippines in 1521.

Upon arrival, enjoy a seaside dinner and reflection time to soak in the journey so far.

Overnight in Cebu.

Today we will visit the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, founded in 1565, the oldest Catholic church in the Philippines. The image of the Santo Niño is believed to be the very same one given by Magellan to Queen Juana in 1521.

See Magellan’s Cross, planted in 1521, and explore Fort San Pedro, built in 1738, the smallest and oldest triangular bastion fort in the country.

Later we will visit the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, built in the 17th century, discover the story of Cebu’s early Chinese-Filipino settlers.

Visit also the Taoist Temple, a reflection of Cebu’s diverse spiritual culture.

This day we will do a pilgrimage to Simala Shrine, a sprawling, castle-like sanctuary built in 1998. Known for healing testimonies and Marian devotion, pilgrims believe miracles happen here.

Stop by Carcar, home to the best Lechon Cebu, with crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat.

Return to Cebu in the afternoon, rest of the day is free.

Overnight in Cebu.

After breakfast, we leave Cebu and take the ferry to Bohol for a day of heritage and nature:

• Blood Compact Site (1565) – Commemorates the first treaty of friendship between Filipinos and Spaniards

• Baclayon Church (1595) – One of the oldest coral stone churches in Asia

• Tarsier Sanctuary – See the world’s smallest primate, whose origins trace back over 45 million years

• Chocolate Hills – A geological wonder formed over 2 million years ago

• Loboc River Cruise – Enjoy a floating buffet lunch while serenaded by locals

Fun Trivia:

The Chocolate Hills are a natural mystery—no other landscape like it exists anywhere else in the world.

Overnight in Panglao, Bohol.

Spend a leisurely day in Panglao, known for its pristine beaches and diving spots. In the afternoon, attend Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral (Tagbilaran), established in 1767, a cornerstone of Bohol’s faith community.

Dinner is at a local bee farm, where you’ll enjoy fresh, organic flavors and try exotic ice cream like malunggay (moringa) and kamote (sweet potato).

Overnight in Panglao, Bohol.

Return to Cebu for souvenir shopping, from handwoven crafts to world-famous dried mangoes.

In the evening, gather for a Final Mass, Penitential Rite, and Farewell Dinner by the Beach, celebrating the friendships and spiritual growth made on this journey.

After breakfast, transfer to Mactan-Cebu International Airport, carrying home not just souvenirs, but stories, blessings, and a deeper sense of belonging.