When I Visited a Temple in my Hometown, Bulacan - "Kim Tae-Gon's Korean Temple"
It was a good weather last weekends when I was supposed to do church hopping near our residence when I saw this unique church seated in Bocaue, Bulacan, just an hour away from our home through my friend's social media account. At first, all of the details regarding the temple was asked by mine to my friend. Then after that, I decided to go there and see the beautiful Korean temple here in Bulacan.
A week after I found this church through my friend's social media account, I visited it immediately because I am so excited to witness its beauty!
Let's tackle some history here:
St. Andrew is a Korean priest who seeked refuge and studied the Dominican convent in Lolomboy, Bulacan. He was arrested when he returned to Korea and was beheaded in Seoul when he was performing his priestly ministry. He was then beatified by Pope Pius XI and was canonized by Pope John Paul II. The feast of St. Andrew Kim is on July 5 and he is also the secondary patron saint of Lolomboy Parish.
Situated along Santa Maria River in Lolomboy, Bulacan, the Korean Shrine harbors a number of structures that reveal varying themes and inspiration. One can recognize not only Korean architecture but also some European touches to the temples.
If you were once an architecture student, you will know the feeling of being attached or easily attracted to churches and the story behind the construction of this monumental shrine and the person it is named after goes back a long way and is one that is interesting to hear and read.
You can see a clean minimalist theme dominated by white and only accented with black trims and the structures give off a glowing radiance under a clear and sunny weather. At sunset, it becomes a mystical place illuminated by the soft enduring twilight.
Who would’ve thought that I have been here in Bulacan all my life and honestly, I haven’t explored much of my hometown. I know, shame on me.
But I’m gonna change all of that! I have renewed my perspective and for my travels this year and I’m gonna start to explore more on my beloved hometown, Bulacan. I’m very thankful that I bumped into this post of my friend. The place is so beautiful!!
But please do reminded that for everyone who is planning to go here, please do not forget to follow the rules. We do not want them to close their gates for us. So please read these tips below for a happy and fruitful trip:
* Respect the place.
This is a holy place, not a park.
* Wear decent clothes.
Give the place a respect and wear formal and decent clothes. This is not a party place.
* Observe silence.
This place is getting quite known to tourists nowadays and as a result, there are lots of people going in and out here. We do not want the Korean nuns to be mad at us, don’t we? So, let’s minimize noises and just pay our respects.
How to Get to Kim Tae-Gon's Korean Temple
The shrine is located in Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan and it js run by Korean nuns. There are NO ENTRANCE FEES when you go there. However, there are certain rules that must always be implemented.
From Manila via commute:
Ride the German Espiritu bus located in Sm North/ RJ Bus in Monumento bound to Balagtas, Bulacan and ask for the driver to drop you off at 7-11 Bocaue. From there, ride a jeepney bound to Marilao. Ask the driver to drop you off at Mcdo Lolomboy. The shrine is just walking distance away from there.
For others who have private cars
You just have to take NLEX and exit at Bocaue. From the toll gate, turn right (best to utilize google maps or waze before leaving) until you find a church under construction, the Simbahan ng Sto. Cristo at San Andres Kim Taegon. You may want to visit and pray inside to pay respect too.
The street going to the shrine is very narrow. I advise caution.
Opening and Closing Hours:
Opening hours is from 7:00am to 5:00pm (sometimes they close at 4:00pm)
Only less than two hours away from Manila, the Korean Shrine of Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon is an amazing place to visit, whether alone or with family or friends, for a much-needed time for relaxation and meditation. It's very beautiful to our minds and souls. So please do visit it also.
