Whenever we bike, we would set as target destination the Catholic Church.
Pedaling about 30 kilometers from Quezon City to the Old Sitio of Bosoboso in Barangay San Jose Antipolo City in a long stretch of ahon and lusong (ascent and descent) for 3 hours, we discovered a quaint beautiful church with historical significance, Nuestra Señora dela Annunciates
Located at a remote mountain range about 3 kilometers from the Marikina-Laguna-Infanta highway, (Marilaque Road), it was built circa 1700 by the Jesuits. Expelled, it was turned over to the Recollect. In 1880, it was destroyed by an earthquake. In 1930, the local folks abandoned the place to give way to a construction of a dam which was eventually abandoned. During the Japanese war in 1943, it was razed by fire restored only in 1993 by the initiative of the residents.
In February 10 2019, the heart relic of St, Camillus de Lellis, patron saint of doctors, health workers and the sick was brought to the parish. Nuestra Senora dela Annuciata is part of the Diocese of Antipolo. (The Camillian fathers operate a seminary in my barangay where I would hear mass outside the gate seeking protection from COVID-19 during the lockdown.)
Today, Old Sitio Bosoboso stands as a sitio with a low population density unlike the other barangays near Antipolo City. I pray that it remains that way, in a quiet and isolated place conducive to escape from the complicated life in the metropolis.
Thankful that I discovered Nuestra Senora, grateful for good health to still bike long distance, I seeded a prayer of gratitude for continued protection.
Returning back home with better familiarity of the terrain, good control on the handle bar, better feel of the gear shifting, stronger and higher level of confidence, we breezed through the ahon and enjoyable lusong.
With the help of 2 young bikers residents of the ace going to Cogeo who offered to pace us, the return was not as difficult. At several points, they were there patiently waiting for us to pass through making our ride back light and pleasant.
Nuestra and St. Camillius quickly answered our prayers.
