A Glimpse of Korea – Shrine of Kim Taegon Andrea, Bocaue, Bulacan
Who would have thought that at the urbanized streets of Bocaue, Bulacan lies a shrine dedicated to a Korean Catholic Priest named Kim Taegon Andrea.
A meditation complex, a monastic quarters for the Korean Catholic Missionaries, a place to unwind, or just to spend a quiet time with your friends and loved ones. This shrine has been visited frequently due to its zen surroundings and the Korean inspired buildings.
Kim Taegon Andrea
Korea during the 18th century, was ruled entirely by the Joseon (Chosun) Dynasty dating back from 1392 up to 1897. Practicing other religions such as Christianity and Catholicism was prohibited.
The practice of the Confucian ideals and doctrines was heavily entrenched into the society. But there was a young boy named Kim Taegon Andrea, who together with his parents, covertly practiced their Catholic faith.
But his father was subsequently martyred for practicing Christianity. He then studied in a seminary in Macau, then spent some time at a Dominican convent in Bocaue, Bulacan. He was ordained as a priest in Shanghai in 1844.
At the age of 25, he returned to Korea to perform some priestly ministry among his people. Unfortunately he was one of the hundreds of Koreans who were executed near Seoul in 1846.
St. Andrew Kim Taegon, as of today, is a patron saint in Korea. Canonized by Pope John Paul II, along with 102 other Korean Martyrs. Today, his life is venerated in Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan where he is considered as the secondary patron saint of the Lolomboy Parish. The convent where he stayed was turned into a shrine dedicated to him.
The Shrine Complex
The complex harbors a number of structures inside that is situated near the Sta. Maria River, facing a man-made lake.
Dominated by combinations of the Renaissance, Eastern and Hanok Architectures, the building are all clad in white that hints of the minimalist theme. While finials and other adornments are embellished in black accents. Under a clear sunny sky, the shrine seems to glow on its own.
Aside from the main structure, it also has a small chapel that is adjacent to the main building. It is adorned with frescoes depicting those in the Sistine Chapel and also of St. Andrew Kim Taegon.
There is also a meditation room for prayers and is shaped like a pyramid. It is a stone structure with Tegula-style pagoda tiles as roofing elements, it is air-conditioned on the inside.
Also, there’s a seven-storey Pagoda that symbolizes the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Overall, this complex in Bocaue, Bulacan is a quiet magnet attracting devotees all over the archipelago. It is also open to the fact that they are a welcoming house for everyone who believes in the supreme being.
This is attested with the fact that it is run by a Buddhist who believes that Christianity, Catholicism and Buddhism shares the same values.
Points to Remember
- Observe Silence. This is a convent run by nuns – silence and tranquility of the place is paramount to the experience, let’s not ruin it for the other tourists, people on retreat, and the ones who dwells inside the halls of the shrine.
- The place does not require an entrance fee. Please do leave donations, or buy something from their souvenir shop.
- Wear Appropriate Clothes. Respect starts with ourselves, observe proper attire whenever visiting the shrine.
- They are open daily from 07:00am to 05:00pm, Tuesdays to Sundays, and closed every Monday.
- Mind your Parking Area. The streets leading to the shrine is very narrow, and parking slots are limited, practice caution whenever entering.
How To Get There
- Via Commute:
- Take the German Espiritu Buses, or any other buses along EDSA that is bound for Bocaue, Bulacan. (Fare starts at 50php/pax)
- Alight at the Bocaue NLEX exit and take the jeepneys bound for Monumento, Meycauayan, or Marilao and ask the driver to drop you off at Mcdonald’s Lolomboy. (Fare is at 8php/pax)
- Mcdonald’s is located at the right side if coming from Bocaue, then upon alighting, you can choose to walk since it is just several hundred meters away, just ask the locals, or you can choose to ride the tricycle for 20php/trip.
- Via Private Transportation:
- From Balintawak or Mindanao Avenue, take the North Luzon Expressway and exit at Bocaue, Bulacan. (57php/ Class 1 Vehicles)
- Turn left then drive until Mcarthur Highway, then turn left again under the fly-over leading to Lolomboy, Bocaue.
- Landmark is Mcdonald’s at the right side, then turn right, you should find the shrine right after the Catholic Church.
Updated February 08, 2018
