Philippine Loop Adventure Tour Launches Pilgrimage Edition for Faith-Based Travel Across the Country

The Philippine Loop Adventure Tour (PLAT) has introduced a new variant of its nationwide travel program—the Pilgrimage Edition, aimed at promoting spiritual journeys across the country through visits to churches, shrines, and religious landmarks.

According to its founder, Francisco Rivera, the Pilgrimage Edition was conceptualized to enable participants to visit historical and religious sites that reflect the Philippines’ deep cultural and spiritual roots. This is achieved through their tourism program that explores the country’s destinations via a 5,000-kilometer route.

philippine loop pilgrimage edition
Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Antipolo Cathedral

“The Pilgrimage Edition focuses on helping travelers reconnect with their faith while exploring significant religious destinations,” Rivera said.

Participants are required to visit at least one church from each of the 30 Mandatory Pilgrimage Areas across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Simala Shrine in Cebu. | Photo by GLYSON thomas

These include some of the country’s oldest and most venerated religious sites such as the Manila Cathedral, Barasoain Church in Bulacan, Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga, and the Simala Shrine in Cebu.

Each site is categorized based on four spiritual themes:

  • M for Marian Shrines
  • H for Healing or Miraculous Shrines
  • F for Holy Family Devotion
  • S for Patron Saints Devotion

Participants may follow a single theme, combine multiple themes, or select churches based on historical and architectural interest. Each church or shrine is marked accordingly to guide travelers in curating their personal pilgrimage route.

The tour also integrates the Pilgrimage Passport, which serves as a record of the participant’s journey. Travelers must take photos while holding their passport at each site, log their reflections in a journal, and upload photos and videos to their social media platforms.

paoay church
St. Augustine Church, Paoay (Unesco Heritage Site, Built in 1704, Baroque Arch)

This documentation is required to complete the route and receive an official certificate of completion from the Philippine Loop organizers.

Many of the listed sites are recognized under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Jubilee 2025 Pilgrim Churches, enhancing the spiritual value of the journey for Catholic participants.

Santo Tomás de Villanueva Parish Church or commonly known as Miagao Church

However, the program is open to other religious denominations. Groups may submit their own list of churches or sacred spaces along the route to be recognized as official participants.

Rivera added, “Other religious denominations (Iglesia ni Cristo and other faiths) can do a similar pilgrimage under our Philippine Loop. All you have to do is give us a list of churches you plan to visit along the same route. We will certify and give all the finishers an achievement kit upon presentation of the passport with related pictures and other requirements.”

San Pedro Apostol, Davao City

Rivera said the Pilgrimage Edition aims to offer participants time for spiritual renewal, healing, and reflection while learning about the lives of saints and the cultural relevance of the sacred places visited.

The Philippine Loop Pilgrimage Edition positions itself as a travel experience rooted in faith, heritage, and community engagement, bringing together personal devotion and national exploration in one program.

church in burgos pangasinan
St. Isidore the Farmer, Burgos, Pangasinan

List of Pilgrimage Areas Across the Philippine Loop

To start your journey, check out the complete list of pilgrimage areas below.

Pilgrimage Area No. 1: Manila/NCR

M/H– Immaculate Conception, Manila Cathedral (Built in 1581, Mother of All Churches)

  • Black Nazarene, Quiapo Church, Manila (Built in 1704)
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati

M- Immaculate Conception, San Agustin Church, Manila (Unesco Heritage Site, Built in 1571)

  1. S/HSan Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo, Manila (Built in 1589)

M- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, New Manila, Quezon City

S- San Sebastian Church, Manila

M- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Sto Domingo Church, Quezon City

H/M- Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Baclaran Church

  • Shrine of the Sto Nino, Tondo Manila

H Christ the King, Greenmeadows, Quezon City

H Our Lady of Divine Mercy, Quezon City

H Our Lady of Fatima National Shrine, Valenzuela, NCR

H Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, Muntinlupa

H Our Lady of Remedies, Malate, Manila

H Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila, Cubao

Pilgrimage Area 2: Bulacan (West of NLEX)

F/M- Nuestra Señora de Salambao, Obando, Bulacan

M/HOur Lady of Mt. Carmel, Barasoain Church Bulacan (Built in 1630)

M- Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, Malolos

M- Immaculate Conception, Malolos

S- St. Francis of Assisi, Meycauayan

S- St. Martin of Tours, Malolos

S- San Isidro Labrador, Malolos

H St. James the Apostle, Plaridel, Bulacan

S- St. James the Apostle, Malolos

M- Immaculate Conception, Malolos City

S- St. Anne, Hagonoy, Bulacan

Pilgrimage Area 3: Pampanga

S- St. James Church, Betis, Pampanga (Outstanding Architectural Design)

S- San Guillermo, Bacolor, Pampanga

S San Agustin, Lubao, Pampanga (Built in 1638)

M- Our Lady of Lourdes, Bacolor Pampanga

F- Santo Rosario, San Fernando Pampanga

H San Andres, Candaba, Pampanga

H Apung Manalulu, Angeles Pampanga

Pilgrimage Area 4a: Tarlac (Option Route 1)

HRelic of the Holy Cross, Monasterio de Tarlac, San Jose Tarlac

SSt. Michael, Camiling, Tarlac

M- Immaculate Conception, Conception Tarlac

F- La Sagrada Familia, Gerona, Tarlac

M- Mater De La Rosa, Capas Tarlac

S- St. John Paul 11, Camiling Tarlac

Pilgrimage Area 4b: Bataan (Option Route 2)

S- St. Dominique De Guzman, Abucay, Bataan (Built in 1600)

F/M- Shrine of St. Joseph Cathedral, Balanga, Bataan

M- Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Orani, Bataan

H/S- San Roque for the Pastoral Care and Healing of the Sick, Limay, Bataan

  • St. James, Subic, Zambales

S– St. Nicholas, Castillejos

S– Santa Monica, Botolan

S– St. Augustine, Iba, Zambales

S- San Andres, Masinloc

M/H- Our Lady of the Pillars, Bataan

Pilgrimage Area 5: Bolinao, Pangasinan

S- St. James the Great Parish, Bolinao, Pangasinan

F/M- St. Joseph the Patriarch Cathedral, Alaminos City, Pangasinan

M- Our Lady of Assumption in Pilgrimage Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan

S- St. Andrew the Apostle, Bugallon, Pangasinan

S- St. Isidore the Farmer, Burgos, Pangasinan

Pilgrimage Area 6: Lingayen-Dagupan

H/M- Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, Manaoag, Pangasinan

S- St. John the Evangelist, Dagupan City

S- St. Dominic, San Carlos, Pangasinan

M- Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Urdaneta, Pangasinan

F/M- Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Sison, Pangasinan

HSt. Jude Thaddeus, Pozorubio, Pangasinan

Pilgrimage Area 7: Baguio City, Benguet

M- Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral, Baguio City

S- St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Naguilian

M- Lourdes Grotto, Naguilian

HDivine Mercy Adoration Convent Pink Sisters, Baguio

F- St. Joseph the Husband of Mary, La Trinidad Benguet

Pilgrimage Area 8: La Union

M/H Our Lady of Namacpacan, Luna, La Union

S- St. William the Hermit Cathedral, San Fernando City, La Union

M- Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, Agoo, La Union

S- Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Bauang, La Union

S- San Nicolas de Tolentino Church, Balaoan

F/M- Nuestra Senora Virgin Del Mar Cavtiva, Sto Tomas, La Union

HOur Lady of Charity, Agoo, La Union

HHoly Land, San Fernando ,La Union

Pilgrimage Area 9: Ilocos Sur

M– Our Lady of the Assumption, Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur (Unesco Heritage Site)

S/H St. John of Sahagun, Candon

S- Santa Lucia, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur

S/H San Agustin Parish Church, Bantay

S/HConversion of St. Paul Cathedral, Vigan

Pilgrimage Area 10: Laoag, Ilocos Norte

S- St. Augustine Church, Paoay (Unesco Heritage Site, Built in 1704, Baroque Arch)

S/H St. William Cathedral, Laoag

S- St. John the Baptist, Badoc, Ilocos Norte

S- St. Andrew the Apostle, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte

S- Sta. Monica Church, Sarrat

S– St. Nicholas de Tolentino, Vintar

S- St. Francis of Assisi, Davila, Pasuquin

M– Immaculate Conception, Basco, Batanes

Pilgrimage Area 11: Cagayan

H/M- Lady of Piat, Piat, Cagayan

H- St. Joseph, Claveria, Cagayan

S- St. Dominic de Guzman, Lal-lo

  • Callao Cave, Peñablanca, Cagayan

S- St. Peter Cathedral, Tuguegarao City

HErmita de San Jacinto, Tuguegarao, Cagayan

HSt. James the Greater, Iguig, Cagayan

Pilgrimage Area 12: Isabela

HSt. Rose of Lima, Gamu, Isabela

S- St. Michael Cathedral, Upi, Gamu, Isabela

S- St. Paul the Apostle, Cabagan, Isabela

S- San Matias, Tumauini, Isabela

M- Our Lady of the Pillar, Cauayan, Isabela

S- San Fernando, Ilagan, Isabela

HOur Lady of Atocha, Alicia, Isabela

Pilgrimage Area 13: Nueva Vizcaya

S- St. Dominic de Guzman Cathedral

S- St. Louis Beltran, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya

M- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sta. Fe, Nueva Ecija

S- St. Catherine of Siena, Bambang, Nueva Ecija

H- St. Joseph, Diffun, Quirino

Pilgrimage Area 14: Nueva Ecija

S- St. Nicholas of Tolentine Cathedral, Cabanatuan City

HSt. Joseph the Worker, San Jose, Nueva Ecija

M- La Virgen Divina Pastora and 3 Kings, Gapan City (Built in 1856)

S- St. John the Baptist, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija

S- St. Isidore the Worker, Talavera, Nueva Ecija

M- Immaculate Conception and St. Augustine, Jaen, Nueva Ecija

HHoly Face of Jesus, Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija

Pilgrimage Area 15: Bulacan (East of NLEX)

H- Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Shrine, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan

H Padre Pio Mountain of Healing, San Jose Del Monte Bulacan

S- San Ildefonso, Baliuag, Bulacan

M- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Baliuag, Bulacan

M- Nuestra Señora de las Flores, Baliuag, Bulacan

M- La Purisima, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

S- Sta. Monica, Angat, Bulacan

Pilgrimage Area 16: Antipolo, Rizal

H- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Antipolo Cathedral

S- St. John the Baptist, Taytay, Rizal

S- Sta. Ursula, Binangonan, Rizal

S- St. Jerome Thuretigue, Morong, Rizal

HRegina Rosario, Tanay, Rizal

Pilgrimage Area 17: Laguna

H- San Sebastian, Lumban, Laguna (Built in 1600)

S- Santiago Apostol, Paete, Laguna

S- St. John the Baptist, Kalayaan, Laguna

M- Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pagsanjan, Laguna

H- Transformation of the Lord, Cavinti, Laguna

M- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Luisiana, Laguna

HSt. John the Baptist, Calamba, Laguna

S- St. Gregory the Great, Majayjay, Laguna (Built in 1649)

Pilgrimage Area 18: Quezon Province

HKamay ni Jesus, Lucban, Quezon

S- St. Ferdinand, Lucena City

S- St. Michael the Archangel, Tayabas City

S- Sto. Cristo de Burgos, Sariaya, Quezon

M- Lady of Sorrows, Dolores, Quezon

Pilgrimage Area 19: Camarines Norte

S- St. Helena the Empress, Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte

F- Most Holy Trinity, Daet, Camarines Norte

SSt. John the Baptist, Sipocot, Camarines Norte

M- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Calaguas, Vinzons, Camarines Norte (Built in 1611)

Pilgrimage Area 20: Camarines Sur

H/M- Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Naga City

S- St. John the Evangelist, Naga City

S- St. Jude Thaddeus, Concepcion Grande, Camarines Sur

S- Our Lady of Fatima, San Isidro, Iriga

S- St. Anthony, Iriga City

F- Holy Cross Parish, Nabua, Camarines Sur

M- Nuestra Señora de Soledad, Tambo, Buhi, Camarines Sur

Pilgrimage Area 21: Albay

H/M- Nuestra Señora de la Porteria, Daraga, Albay (Built in 1773, Intricate Altar)

S- St. James, Libon, Albay

S- St. Stephen the Protomartyr, Ligao City

S- St. Gregory the Great, Legazpi City

  • Cagsawa Ruins. Legaspi, Albay

Pilgrimage Area 22: Sorsogon

S- Sts. Peter and Paul, Sorsogon City

F- St. Joseph, Barcelona, Sorsogon

F- Holy Infant Jesus, Matnog, Sorsogon

Pilgrimage Area No. 23: Northern Samar

M- Our Lady of Annunciation, Allen, Northern Samar

S/H Sts. Peter and Paul, Calbayog, Samar

S- St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Catbalogan, Samar

M- Our Lady of Annunciation, Calbiga, Samar

S- St. Michael the Archangel, Basey, Samar

Pilgrimage Area No. 24: Leyte

F/H Sto. Niño, Tacloban City

M- Our Lady of Assumption, Baybay City, Leyte

F- Our Lord’s Transfiguration, Palo, Leyte

H- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, La Paz, Leyte

S- St. Francis, Abuyog, Leyte

S/H St. Francis Xavier, Palompon, Leyte

M- Our Lady of Assumption, Maasin, Leyte

Pilgrimage Area No. 25: Surigao del Norte

S- San Nicolas de Tolentino, Surigao City

M- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Bilangbilang, Surigao

Pilgrimage Area No. 26: Agusan

M- Virgen de la Candelaria, Cabadbaran

F- St. Joseph, Butuan City

F- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur

S- St. Michael the Archangel, Prosperidad

Pilgrimage Area No. 27: Tagum

F- Christ the Eucharistic King, Tagum

M- Our Lady of Assumption

Pilgrimage Area No. 28: Davao City

S- San Pedro Apostol, Davao City

S- St. Jude, Davao City

S- Sta. Ana Shrine, Davao City

F- St. Joseph Priory, Davao

M- Mother of Perpetual Help, Davao

S- St. Francis of Assisi, Davao del Sur

Pilgrimage Area No. 29: Digos (Route Option A)

M Mary Mediatrix of All Graces, Digos

F St. Joseph the Worker

M Immaculate Conception

S St. Michael the Archangel

S Sto. Rosario

Note: Route Option 1 will pass the following pilgrimage areas: Kidapawan, Valencia, Malaybalay, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Pagadian

Pilgrimage Area No. 29A1: Kidapawan

M Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace Cathedral Parish, Kidapawan City

F Sta. Teresita del Niño Jesus Parish, Mlang, North Cotabato

Pilgrimage Area No. 29A2: Malaybalay

S San Isidro Labrador Cathedral (with Relic of St. Isidore) Malaybalay City

M Immaculate Conception Parish (Guinoyoran, Valencia City, Bukidnoon)

S San Agustin Parish (with Relics of St, Augustine & Sta. Monica) Valencia City

S San Andres Parish (with Relic of St. Andrew, Apostle) Maramag Bukidnon

Pilgrimage Area No. 29A3: Cagayagan De Oro

S St. Augustine Cathedral (Cagayan de Oro City)

F Jesus Nazareno Parish/ Shrine (Cagayan de Oro City)

F Divine Mercy Shrine (Cagayan de Oro City)

M Our Lady of Lourdes Parish/ Shrine (Binuangan, Misamis Oriental)

Pilgrimage Area No. 29A4: Iligan

S St . Francis Xavier Parish Church (Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte)

F Holy Cross Parish Church (Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte)

F Divine Mercy Shrine (Bacolod, Lanao del Norte)

Pilgrimage Area No. 29B1: General Santos (Route Option B)

S St. Peter and Paul

H Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage

M Our Lady of Manaoag

Pilgrimage Area No. 29B2: Cotabato

F Christ the King, Koronadal, South Cotabato

M Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Graces, North Cotabato

S Sta. Teresita del Niño Jesus, M’lang, North Cotabato

M Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Tacurong

S San Pedro Calungsod, Tacurong

M Immaculate Conception

M Our Lady of the Rosary, Cotabato City

Pilgrimage Area No. 29B3: Lanao del Sur

H Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Malabang

S San Isidro Labrador, Balabagan

Pilgrimage Area No. 30: Pagadian

F- Sto. Niño, Pagadian City

S- St. Vincent Ferrer, Molave

F- St. Joseph the Worker, Pagadian

S- San Isidro Labrador, Aurora

M- Our Lady of Fatima

Pilgrimage Area No. 31: Dipolog

M/H Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

F- St. Joseph the Spouse of Mary

M- Our Lady of Fatima

M- Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Pilgrimage Area No. 32: Dumaguete, Negros Oriental

M/H St. Catherine of Alexandria

M- Our Mother of Perpetual Help

S- San Augustine

S- St. Louis of Don Bosco

Pilgrimage Area No. 33: Southern Cebu

H- Holy Eucharist, Simala

S- San Gabriel, Santander

M- Patrocinio de Maria Santisima, Boljoon

S/H St. Michael the Archangel, Argao

S- St. Catherine of Alexandria, Carcar

Pilgrimage Area No. 34: Cebu City

H/F- Holy Child of Cebu (Built in 1732)

F- St. Joseph the Patriarch

HSan Pedro Calunsod, Cebu

HSt. Peter and Paul, Bantayan, Cebu

HSan Fernando, Cebu

HSanto Tomas, Cebu

HVirgin de La Regla, Lapu Lapu City, Cebu

H- Shrine of Patrocino De Maria Santisima, Boljoon, Cebu (Built in 1703)

Pilgrimage Area No. 35: Bohol

M- Immaculate Conception, Baclayon (One of the oldest Stone Church, Built in 1773)

F- St. Joseph, Tagbilaran

M- Our Lady of the Light, Loon

S- St. Michael the Archangel

F- Holy Cross, Maribojoc

S- St. Augustine, Panglao

HMost Holy Trinity, Talibon , Bohol

Pilgrimage Area No. 36: Bacolod

S- San Sebastian Cathedral, Bacolod

S- San Carlos Borromeo

M- Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, San Carlos

S- Padre Pio’s Garden

M- Immaculate Conception, Murcia

M- Our Lady of Candles, Bacolod City

M- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bacolod City

Pilgrimage Area No. 37: Iloilo City

S- Sto. Tomas de Villanueva, Miagao Church (Unesco Heritage Site, Built in 1786)

S- Sta. Ana, Molo (Built in 1831, The Femist Church, Gothic-Renaissance Arch )

S- St. Clement, Iloilo City

S- Sta. Barbara, Iloilo City

HSan Juan de Sahagun, Tigbauan, Cebu

M- Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Bien Viaje

F- Garin Farm, Pilgrimage Resort

HOur Lady of Candles, Jaro, Iloilo (Built in 1800)

Pilgrimage Area No. 38: Capiz

M/H Immaculate Conception, Roxas, Capiz

M- Lady of Mount Carmel, Roxas City

S/H Sta. Monica, Panay, Capiz

S- St. Catherine of Alexandria, Mambusao

Pilgrimage Area No. 39: Kalibo

S- St. John the Baptist, Kalibo

S- St. Jude Thaddeus, Kalibo

Pilgrimage Area No. 40: Mindoro

F- Sto. Niño Cathedral, Calapan City

S- St. Peter and Paul, Bulalacao

F- Sto. Niño, Roxas

S- St. Augustine, Pinamalayan

F- St. Joseph, Bongabong

S- Simbahang Bato,Naujan, Oriental Mindoro

M- Immaculate Conception, Puerto Galera

Pilgrimage Area No. 41: Batangas

HSt. Martin of Tours, Taal (The Biggest Chuch in the Philippines, Built in 1575)

M- Mariamonte International Pilgrimage

M- Immaculate Conception, Bauan, Batangas

F- St. Joseph, Batangas City

M- Immaculate Conception, Lipa, Batangas

F/H Chapel of Transfiguration, Caleruega, Nasugbu Batangas

HNational Shrine of Padre Pio, , Sto. Tomas, Batangas

Pilgrimage Area No. 42: Muntinlupa

HSt Perigrine Lazios, Tanasan Muntinulupa ( Healing Church for Cancer patients)

S- St. James, Muntinlupa

M- Our Lady of the Abandoned

F- Sacred Heart of Jesus

HOur Lady of the Meraculous Medal, Muntinlupa

SSan Roque, Alabang

S- St. Jerome and Sta. Susana

F- St. Joseph, Bamboo Organ, Las Piñas

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About Author

Gelyka is a writer from Rizal, Philippines. She loves her coffee in its purest black form and enjoys midnight conversations about the nuances of life. In 2024, she completed her first Philippine Loop together with her fiancé. E-mail her at gelyka.tealmagazine@gmail.com