The Ride from Alangilan
Last Sunday, March 8, 2026, I took a morning motorcycle ride from my house in Alangilan to the Monte Maria Shrine in Batangas City. We went there as insisted by my partner who visited me from Calatagan on her day off from work. We hit the road at exactly 9:00 AM, and the trip took about an hour.
The route took us past SM Batangas City. Traffic was fairly light around the Libjo area, making for a smooth and breezy ride. However, if you are planning to visit soon, be prepared: there are road repairs going on just a few kilometers from the shrine, which caused some heavy traffic bottlenecks. One entertaining part of the ride was spotting the local photographers stationed along the road. They take action shots of passing motorcycle riders to post as content on their social media accounts—a really cool and common sight in areas frequently traveled by riders!
Arriving at the Shrine and Parking
Because it was a Sunday, the shrine was bustling with a huge crowd, which is typical for peak weekend pilgrimage days. Upon arriving, we headed straight to the designated motorcycle parking area. The parking fee for motorcycles is a very budget-friendly flat rate of 20 pesos.
Exploring the Grounds and Pods
Once inside the complex, I immediately started taking photos of the grounds. I got some great exterior shots of the Miracle Walk (the glass bridge) as well as some unique, futuristic-looking structures around the area that resemble space pods.
The Mother of All Asia and St. John Paul II Chapel
After exploring the outdoor areas, we made our way to the main building—the massive Mother of All Asia tower. I was surprised to discover the St. John Paul II Chapel located right inside. Because it was Sunday, the chapel was incredibly crowded with devotees attending mass. Knowing how difficult it would be to squeeze out through the narrow chapel doors once the service ended and everyone rushed for the exit, we decided to slip out early.
Coastal Views and the Glasswalk
Outside, the elevated views were absolutely stunning. I spent time photographing the lush plants and the expansive coastal views of Batangas Bay, where you can clearly see the industrial oil refineries located along the coastline.
Later, We went into the building that hosts the Glasswalk. we were eager to try it, but we found out that the entrance fee is 300 pesos per person. We decided not to push through with it for that day, though we may just come back in the future specifically to experience walking on the glass bridge. Instead, we spent the rest of our visit with me taking more photos of the beautiful surroundings and the vibrant crowd. Many of the visitors were in great spirits and happily allowed me to take their photos, wrapping up a perfect Sunday morning ride!
