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BAHAY NA BATO
(Tagalog, literally “house of stone”) is a type of building originating during the Philippines’ Spanish Colonial Period. It is an updated version of the traditional bahay kubo. Its design has evolved throughout the ages, but still maintains the Bahay Kubo’s architectural basis which corresponds to the tropical climate, stormy season and earthquake prone environment of the whole archipelago of the Philippines and fuses it with the influence of Spanish colonizers and Chinese traders. It is owned by the Villarica Family. Located at Barangay Poblacion II, Marilao, Bulacan.
DIVINE MERCY SHRINE ALTAR
In 1992 the Most Reverend Cirilo Almario Jr., then Bishop of Malolos, led the ground-breaking of the church site. The parish was dedicated to the Divine Mercy due to the fast-growing devotion among Filipino faithful to this image of Jesus.
The parish was formally established on November 30, 1994 with Fr. Vicente Robles serving as its first Parish priest.
On April 11, 1999 Most Reverend Rolando Tria Tirona then Bishop of Malolos, declared it as a Diocesan Shrine. It was elevated to the status of National Shrine on November 30, 2002 by Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines presided by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, OMI with Apostolic Blessings by Pope John Paul II.
Reverend fr. Rey San Juan assumed as the second rector of the Shrine; Msgr. Mario DJ. Arenas was the third rector. Reverend Fr. Prospero V. Tenorio was installed as the fourth Shrine Rector and third Parish Priest on January 1, 2014.
On December 13, 2015, Bishop Jose F. Oliveros opened the Holy Doorof the shrine and led the ground-breaking of the project for the 100 ft. tall statue of the Divine Mercy.
The Shrine currently houses three main area for different functions. Namely: the Main Church, Grotto Area and the Bukid Area.
The Grotto Area holds the Grotto Altar, Retreat House, Guadalupe Altar, Lourdes Cave, Holy Sepulcher, Divine Mercy Falls, Adoration Chapel, Information Center, Merciful Love Chapel, Food Court and the Little Poland Exhibit.
The Bukid Area houses the Pope John II Activity Center, St. Faustina Hall, Stations of the Cross and the Columbary.
After the 4th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM4) in the Philippines, Pope Francis has placed the Divine Mercy Apostolate under the supervision of the Vatican’s Pontical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization believing that the Divine Mercy will be the “Fire of the New Evangelization”.
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