Postcards from Caleruega

The prayer retreat that I attended over the weekend was held in Caleruega, a prayer and renewal center owned by the Dominican Order in Batulao, Nasugbu in the province of Batangas, a three-hour drive from Manila. This small fountain sits in the middle of its circular driveway.



Caleruega is located in beautiful, lush hills and gardens which should have made it ideal as a retreat center, except that the Dominicans opened it to the public. The many visitors who walk around totally ignore the "Observe Silence" signs and the staff don't bother shushing them. The building which serves as the main entrance to Caleruega features pineapples in its facade. Pineapples are a common product in the province of Batangas. We were served fresh pineapple juice and fresh pineapple slices with some of our meals, and they were so sweet!



Caleruega is named after a small town in Spain which is the birthplace of Saint Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers (OP) which bears his name.



The refectory (dining room) was mercifully off-limits to non-retreatants, but since it was located right next to the entrance hall, it could still get very noisy. And worse, we were joined by another group on Saturday, teenagers in a not-silent workshop! In an effort to ignore all the noise, I chose the table nearest this little koi pond and would stare at the fish swimming peacefully in it while I ate.



Santo Domingo de Guzman (St. Dominic, 1170–1221) had his own little garden which was completely surrounded by hedges so the grass wouldn't get trampled on.



Our rooms were in these stone cottages. Each cottage had two rooms, with their own bathrooms, thank goodness. Each room was shared by two people, but could have accommodated another since each room had three single beds. The bedroom was very spare. Caleruega is a retreat center, after all, not a hotel.



Our sessions were held in the 'Gazekubo,' a combination of the words gazebo and kubo (native hut). The awning is made of nipa, still common as a roofing material in rural areas in the Philippines. The thick walls and windows of the Gazekubo kept out most of the noise of the visitors, unless they were walking right beside the windows and shouting.



The view just outside the Gazekubo. I could live with the little noise to have this.



On our first evening, there was a wedding reception in one of the function rooms of this hall. I just have to say that it's quite difficult trying to pray when you can hear Chic's "Le Freak" in the background. Dancing with the Lord, anyone?



I walked around Caleruega right after breakfast on Saturday. Alone. No one else in my retreat group did so and it was too early for visitors, and it was wonderful! The road leading to the nursery, koi pond and picnic grounds was quite steep. A perfect location to follow the Way of the Cross.



The meandering path down to the koi pond should not be hurried at all.



The sunny part of the koi pond. It goes beyond the walkway I was standing on, surrounded by lush trees and bushes.



Beyond the koi pond were more gardens. Behind the fountain is a little amphitheater with a bonfire pit, with the wood stacked and ready for burning.



The hanging bridge crosses a small ravine with lots of big trees and a tiny trickle of water at the bottom. This was the only point I wanted someone with me. Preferably someone who'd freak out when I got the bridge swaying by jumping on it. I skipped and jumped across to get it swaying anyway.



Crossing the bridge brings you to the picnic area at the edges of the Dominican property. I saw little piles of half-burnt charcoal on the ground so I guess people were allowed to grill food there.



Back in the main compound, the Transfiguration Chapel sits on the highest point of Caleruega. The sculpture of the Risen Christ was created by Filipino artist Ben-Hur Villanueva in 1996.



Because of its location, the chapel is very popular for weddings. In fact, there were weddings during each of the three days that we were there.



And finally, a little decorative detail of Caleruega, just because I like it: the lamps made of bamboo, carved out with holes into which are fitted colorful, synthetic 'gems.'