But…first things first, someone must know how to go to Regina Rica (Regina Rosarii), Tanay, Rizal so anyone can visit and reminisce there. Here are the directions.

How to go from Manila to Regina Rica (Regina Rosarii), Tanay, Rizal?

1. Ride a train from LRT-1 Gil Puyat Station and get off on LRT-1 EDSA Station.
2. From LRT-1 EDSA Station, walk toward to MRT-3 Taft Avenue Station.
3. Ride a train from MRT-3 Taft Avenue Station and get off on MRT-3 Shaw Station.
4. From MRT-3 Shaw Station, walk toward Starmall Shaw premises to find the UV Express terminals situated somewhere around the parking lot in Starmall Shaw.
5. When you find the UV Express terminal in the Starmall Shaw parking lot, find a UV Express with the signboard “Tanay” because those UV Express actually goes to Tanay, Rizal Public Market.
6. Ride a UV Express van with the signboard “Tanay”. That UV Express actually goes to Tanay Rizal Public Market.
7. When you reach Tanay Rizal Public Market, go to a jeepney terminal and find a jeep with the signboard “Sampaloc”. The exact place where you are getting off is the Sampaloc Market in Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal.
8. Ride the jeep with the signboard “Sampaloc” and ask the driver to drop you off to Sampaloc Market.
9. When you reach the Sampaloc Market in Tanay, Rizal, find a tricycle in the tricycle terminal that will get you to Regina Rica (Regina Rosarii).
10. Ride a tricycle and it will get you to Regina Rica directly. The fare is only P 50.00 (as of April 24, 2024)

Story Time! Sitting in UV Express in Starmall – Shaw, Mandaluyong City

Sitting in a UV Express van coming from Starmall – Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City where most of the UV Express vans bound to Tanay, Rizal parked in a terminal just beside it, it was a hot, high noon. The road around it was busy but the Starmall – Shaw Boulevard mall has pretty few shoppers but that is fine because it is beside the MRT-3 Shaw Station which is overflowing with passengers. Before I found the UV Express terminal beside the Starmall – Shaw Boulevard premises, I checked out the mall itself. It was reminiscent of the Elizabeth Mall in Cebu City a few years back, only much larger. The place was wide, it has a department store inside, but what is worth noting that it has few shoppers in it. It felt kind of gloomy. Few minutes later while touring around the premises, I decided to finally look for the UV Express terminal which can be found somewhere in the parking lot. Getting hungry, I took a lunch on the a fast – food joint (I have forgotten what it is) just near to the UV Express Terminal and thinking what might the route going to the place called Regina Rica even if I have already researched it. Staring for few minutes more, looking at cars and people on the outside, I get up and now heading towards the UV Express terminal and looked for a van that goes to Tanay Rizal Public Market, which is the heart of Tanay, Rizal.

Now onboarding at one of the UV Express vans that would lead me to Tanay, Rizal while waiting for the van to be filled up with other passengers, I seized the opportunity to rest and take a nap inside the cool van. After a close to an hour, I noticed that the van is becoming crowded with passengers, which most of them going to Tanay, Rizal. The inside of the van becomes lively and the driver is now collecting fares. The fare from Starmall – Shaw Boulevard to Tanay, Rizal as of April 24, 2024 if you are going to ride in a UV Express is P 100.00, which is easy to pull off, especially if you have a spare P 500.00 in your pocket. Few moments later, the driver positioned himself on the driver’s seat of the van, tried to start the vehicle, the engine roared and the chassis below us shuddered. The van is now ready to go. And now slowly exiting the UV Express Terminal in Starmall – Shaw.

From Starmall – Shaw, Mandaluyong City to Tanay Rizal Public Market

The UV Express now roars proudly in the middle of the roads of Mandaluyong City, waving itself in different traffic and routes. The day was pretty hot, the sun is directly above us and it was quite a sight that you can see the buildings of Mandaluyong City in their full glory, from churches that covered itself with trees and buildings that has climbing plants on it. The condition of the traffic is just exactly what I imagined on a Sunday noon; it was tolerable. The journey went smoothly while traversing the big city of Mandaluyong and her next place would be somewhere around Taytay, Rizal, which is only tens of kilometers northward from Mandaluyong City. The road that cut through Mandaluyong City and Rizal is pretty wide enough that it barely had traffic in it at noon and…of course it’s Sunday.

While staring outside of the traveling UV Express enjoying the sights, the beauty of the Rizal Province starts to emerge. Rizal is a province which is pretty near to Metro Manila, but after traveling for almost 40 kilometers from Mandaluyong City to Rizal Province, which can actually see the “province – ness” of the place; tricycle terminals beside public elementary and high school buildings, small houses dotting the landscapes, slightly – narrow roads that leads to specific places like Tanay Rizal Public Market, a lot of big trees and attractive men and women. I sure do appreciate beauty!

After a journey that almost lasted two hours, the UV Express has reached Tanay Rizal Public Market with stuck knees after sitting for too long. Now I can stretch my legs and walk around the public market after a long journey. But it didn’t even reached two hours! The UV Express made some turns and parked on the terminal outside the said market. We have now reached the first part of destination.

From Tanay Rizal Public Market to Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal.

After getting off from UV Express van from the terminal of Tanay Rizal Public Market just outside of its premises, I was now looking for a jeepney that goes through Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal so I can drop off there and ride another vehicle that will lead me to Regina Rica. But I didn’t know what part of Brgy. Sampaloc of Tanay, Rizal would I get off so I asked some locals on where exactly do I offboard. One of the locals told me that I have to get off at Sampaloc Market in Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal, just beside the road and the fare would be P 35.00. It was a very helpful information because it didn’t show up in my research so I thanked the local for the information and now heading straight to a jeep parked in the jeepney terminal that would go through Sampaloc Market in Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal and hopped in.

The road leading to Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal was slightly bumpy and uphill. The jeep was crowded with all sorts of people, ranging from people who have much free time on their hands, those students, the merchants that brought their merchandises aboard, those couples in love, and other people who are going to Regina Rica like me. I wasn’t able to take good videos onboard the jeep because it was so crowded that I could barely move my hands around to take good videos and the ride was bumpy too. But the sights from the inside of the jeep was stunning because the place where the jeep is traversing has many trees and forests, all were our eyes can see. Everywhere I could see are trees and mountains bathe in good sunlight. As the jeep fights its way to the uphill to go to Brgy. Sampaloc, we could actually see the overlooking sights of the Rizal Province slowly whisking away while her greenery meets the blue horizon. As I looked toward the driver’s line of sight, the place is now dotted with familiar things; sari – sari stores, markets, merchandises beside the roads, lots of small houses that I concluded that I might have arrived at the desired destination, a lot of tricycles criss – crossing on narrow roads and a generally peaceful neighborhood. I asked one of the passengers if we have arrived on the Sampaloc Market which the person confirms that we are close to the destination. Few minutes later, the jeepney driver has announced that we have arrived at Sampaloc Market in Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. A couple of passengers starts to go outside the jeep, including those people going to Regina Rica, so I followed suit. When I got down to the Sampaloc Market, I immediately look for a tricycle that would bring me to Regina Rica directly, which turns out, its not that far from the point where I am. Now wonder they were asking for only P 50.00 for a ride there.

From Sampaloc Market, Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. To Regina Rica.

The Sampaloc Market itself is just like your ordinary market beside the road as you imagined, it was simple and composed of series of stalls inside of it. I wished I was able to take pictures of that place for a sample because at first glance, it was uninteresting. All I remember that it has tricycle terminal in it, probably I was in a hurry so I barely remember that place that much. After few minutes of observing the environment in Sampaloc Market, I decided to find a tricycle to lead me to Regina Rica. Getting closer to a line of tricycles that were just waiting for passengers, the drivers started walking towards me and they starting to ask where am I going, which then I replied that I’m going to Regina Rica. One of the tricycle drivers offered me a ride to Regina Rica for just P 50.00, which then I happily accepted. Hopping in to his tricycle and its engines started to roar to life to go to Regina Rica, the tricycle driver now maneuvers away from the market to the wide roads of Rizal Province where the Regina Rica was situated

Whisking toward Regina Rica on a low – slung vehicle like a tricycle on a wide afternoon, the road leading to the desired place looked enticing. The road was straight and wide and with few wide corners along the way. What is more surprising that there has no any traffic in there even if the road was populated with tricycles and cars because there were so few of them. But even without the presence of traffic, some small accidents will be inevitable as long as there will be vehicles in the road, like the one I’ve witnessed while traveling. A Toyota Tamaraw FX model 1990s is blocking the wide road and guarded over by barangay tanods not near from it and signaling that tricycle shall avoid the blocking vehicle. We were curious why that vehicle was blocking the road. As we drive past the vehicle, I noticed that there was a motorcycle standing beside the vehicle with another barangay tanod guarding over it. Turns out, according to my theory, the old Toyota Tamaraw FX must have tried to turn to reach the other side of the road while the motorcycle was whizzing toward the car, causing a small accident. We weren’t able to find the victims of small accident but it was enough for us to take care of driving on such wide roads. After we passed the accident scene, we continued to drive toward Regina Rica. The journey toward it was generally peaceful….and fun!

Reaching Regina Rica (also called Regina Rosarii)

The tricycle has reached Regina Rica, getting inside the premises. Paying the P 50.00 fare and thanking the driver, I now looked up everywhere to see the newfound place. Trees. Greenery. Scenery. The entrance looked like a forest with vines criss -crossing everywhere. The air is silent, only birds and guards could be heard. Seeing the narrow, downhill road leading to a place somewhere, I now slowly walking toward it and cross slowly on road that looked liked a cemented bridge, with more sights on the other sides of it like the cute, stilted houses around the green scenery. Few steps later, I have reached a modern – looking office on the entrance that would house the stores, souvenirs and tourists. It barely had people in it. It almost looked like I was alone but there is indeed very few tourists roaming around the place. Looking beyond the scenery that boasts the pilgrimage image of Mama Mary from afar jutting out to the skies, the statue of the Virgin Mary stood out among the rest. Following the wide roads that lead to the pilgrimage area, we now entered to a narrow, cemented road adorned with thorny roses and flowers of different varieties on a hot summer day. The day was silent and windy, appreciating how nice and solemn the place is. There is an uphill and curvy road ahead and the statue of Mama Mary can be seen from afar but it just intensified the beauty and adds time to appreciate the pilgrimage site.

Looking atop a highly – elevated part of the halfway part of a long, narrow road leading to Mama Mary, the real beauty of the place starts to be seen. The overlooking sights of Rizal Province that can be seen as far as the eyes can see, the church below surrounded by thick trees, rose plants that adorned everywhere on the hills of Regina Rica, and the very big “I ♥ MAMA MARY” standing out on the hills of the pilgrimage site. What a sight to behold!

Few steps later, I have reached the very tall statue of the Virgin Mary standing atop the hills of the pilgrimage, reaching to the skies. Getting nearer to it, you can really appreciate the sheer size of the statue. It is quite tall, and the statue is wide enough that there is actually a small chapel inside the statue where someone can pray in silence. More tourists are walking around the Mama Mary statue, taking pictures with their loved ones and creating core memories with their children, husbands and their wives. Looking around the statue everywhere, greenery has now intensified, almost to a point that we were really struck in awe how beautiful and peaceful the place is…like a punch in the gut, but in a positive way. It is really indeed a real pilgrimage site, where having a conversation with God becomes a memorable experience.

Checking out the inside of the Mama Mary statue that has also a chapel inside it, the chapel itself evokes simplicity. The chairs used are plastic chairs, which is pretty nice. Some posters are displayed inside, inviting women ages 18 to 35 years old to become a part of Dominican Sister of Regina Rosarii, and some donation drives to create new a building just in the back of Mama Mary statue. Of course, I didn’t lost a chance taking some pictures there. It was quite a memorable experience!

I now have the opportunity to finally take a walk on the famed Regina Rica in Tanay, Rizal. It’s actually a peaceful and silent place, very conducive for conversing with our Lord and with your loved ones. Her scenery that evoked beauty and simplicity, well maintained by the Dominican Sisters of Regina Rosarii, is the result of the care of the people who are very passionate in maintaining her innocence. Staring from afar, we were thinking why do life be so hard. It really doesn’t have to be that way. The mountains, which now looked liked the hazy remnants due to distance, we would be thinking how are those people over there? What’s going on in their…tiny, little heads? What were they thinking? Thoughts came rushing through our minds but nothing is coming out from our mouths because we are simply awed at the beauty that God has created for us. Our hearts has sank not because of sadness, but because of humility, that in the grand scheme of things, we are really indeed insignificant. We are weak when we are alone. I also noticed a very big rosary composed entirely of circular light bulbs on the hills of Regina Rosarii which is a nice companion for the Mama Mary statue of the site.

After a few hours walking around the hills of Regina Rica, I then now proceeded to go down the hills to visit another parts of Regina Rica, following a wide, downhill road below. An imposing structure of a modern – looking church is standing on its way. Modern – looking but still evoking faithfulness, I then proceeded to enter the premises and found the first thing that caught my attention. Our Lord Jesus Christ nailed on the cross, symbolizing His love for all the people on Earth, invoking the famous Bible verse John 3:16, saying “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The church itself is modern looking and the main theme of color is wooden brown. If a three – year old child with her parents came in the church and have seen it, it would probably an early memory of hers because of how nostalgic the environment is. The outside of the church, guarded by railings with religious designs, is reminiscent of the early churches we’ve visited as a child. The atmosphere surrounding the church is pretty nostalgic that it took me back to my childhood, when my parents will bring me to churches to participate Masses.

Few minutes later, I exited the premises with the memories of a well – lit church. Looking outside, we could now see the hills of Regina Rica with all her glory, standing proudly toward the skies. Overlooking sights among the background of trees, the Regina Rica, her rosary and her name is proudly displayed on the foothills for us to see. It was already 3:00 PM and the hills themselves now resembled the colors of Chocolate Hills of Bohol under the bright afternoon. On the foreground, there is a well on the front of the church where we can observe and take pictures with it. Walking down more to reach other structures on the premises, now we looked back at statue of Mama Mary from other angles and I realized that how beautiful the Mama Mary statue at this position because she is directly in front of us from hundreds of meters from where I was standing. Looking around more, I see some horses eating grasses grazing around the aloe – vera plants standing on some fields. I was also surprised that there are also flock of sheeps walking around the church. Even a peacock had a surprise appearance on the front of the church.

It was already 4:00 PM in the afternoon when I decided that it’s time to go home…go back to Makati City. Slowly walking toward the tourist lounge in Regina Rica where we could buy souvenirs and “puto – seko” on the stores attended by a couple of women. Purchasing one – kilo“puto – seko” that only costs P 200.00, which is quite affordable, I then proceeded to look back at the place, have a pleasant conversation with the people there, looked back at the place where we experience awe and wonder and walk toward the gates of Regina Rica.

Visiting Regina Rica on a very clear day is really a pleasant experience and makes you really remember…God is with us….:-)