Some of you might be wondering how to get to the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, Batangas through public transport.
Here’s how:
The Bus
Whether you’re traveling from Quezon City or Pasay, or anywhere from Metro Manila, the first thing you have to find is a bus going to Lucena City. There are many choices:
- JAM in Kamuning QC
- Lucena Lines
- JAC in Taft, Pasay and Kamuning QC
- DLTB in Taft, Pasay and Kamuning QC
The Fare
Excluding your fare going to the terminal, the fare from Kamuning QC to Sto. Tomas, Batangas is PhP 107 (Jac Liner).
You just need to tell the bus driver and conductor to drop you off at Padre Pio Shrine.
Travel Time
It is best to leave Metro Manila not later than 5AM, or even 4 AM depending on when you are going because of the mass schedule.
The travel time by bus is approximately 2 – 3 hours via commute but for those with private cars, it should just be less than 2 hours.
Drop off Point – Brgy. San Pedro, Santo Tomas Batangas
Once you get to the drop off point, there are tricycles in the area that can take you to the shrine. If you decide to pay for the entire trip, it will cost PhP 40 but if you decide to wait for other passengers, it will cost only PhP 10 per passenger.
The Shrine
According to locals, the Shrine is usually crowded on 1st and 3rd Saturdays, on Sundays and every 23rd of the month. Once inside the church, despite it being crowded, the place is solemn.
I am not sure if they also have masses in English but the mass was in Filipino during our visit.
Confession, The Sacrament of Reconciliation
The parish priest said that confessions are done an hour before the start of every mass. There are priests invited within the Diocese of Lipa City to administer the sacrament to repentant visitors.
Blessing with Holy Water
Before the start of the mass, the priest will request everyone to approach the front of the altar with the items they want to be blessed.
He will say a short prayer and pray over everyone before blessing with Holy Water.
At the back of the chapel, there is a place called Holy Water Sanctuary. There is a wishing well inside with flowing Holy Water.
Offering Masses
Masses can be offered for special intentions. The donation for every intention is PhP 100.
Offering Roses
There are roses being sold for offering.
- White roses are for answered prayers.
- Red roses are for prayer requests.
Prayer Petitions.
There are envelopes in the area where you can write your wish/es and slip in donation to go with your petition.
Lighting of Candles
After the Mass
The Food. After the mass, try the food within the area.
- Batangas Bulalo PhP 250 per order without rice
- Sinaing na Tulingan PhP 35 per piece without rice
- Rice PhP 10 per order
- Bibingka, Sapin sapin, Ube – 3 slices for PhP 50
- Suman PhP 50 per bundle
Going Home
Just take a tricycle ride back to the highway for only 15 pesos per person.
You may wait for buses going back to Pasay or Cubao at the highway. They don’t have a designated bus terminal.
Pray.
Hope.
And don’t worry.
– Padre Pio
This really helps me for my trip to padre puo…Clear instrucfion and complete details…
Very usefull…thanks for this page have agreat day and godbless us all…
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Thank you too for visiting our page. God bless!
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May I ask if there are busses from sto. tomas batangas going to tagaytay? we are planning to visit tagaytay after our visit to Padre Pio Shrine this coming Holy Wednesday night!. Thank you so much.
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Sorry for the very late reply. That’s the same question we asked when we were in the area but locals said, Tagaytay has a different route for commuters like us. ☺️
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Thank you for the detailed informations plus nice shots of the church.. keep it up! Hindi na kami maliligaw hehehe.. God bless..
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Thank you, I’m glad kahit papano, nakatulong po itong post ko. God bless too!
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Thanks.very helpful and informative
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Hiay blessing po na mg new.car sa padre pio?
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matagal po ba magintay ng bus pabalik ng pasay…mga ilang oras po at jac liner pa din po ba ang bus na sasakyan
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Sorry late reply. Hindi naman msyadong matagal, I think depende kung anong oras po kayo punta.
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thanks for the info… meron pa po bang tourist spot malapit din po sa padre pio.. after po kasi namin pumunta sa shrine ng plan po kami after.. saan po kaya doon ?
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Thank you very much for your very helpful site. GOD BLESS US MOST MIRACULOSLY. AMEN!!!
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Thank you po.
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God bless!
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could you specify/recommend the places where you ate? thanks!
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Hi! We only ate at the karinderia near the parking area. Some friends told me that there are other food establishments at the town proper but we were not able to explore those.
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Open po ba to ng 24 hrs? For visit lang po?
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I am not sure if open for 24 hours, sorry.
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Is there a place na pwede ka mag stay over night near the church?
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Hi, may idea po kayo kung meron pong binebenta na oil (langis) dyan sa Shrine? Thanks.
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Ang alam ko po Holy Water, meron.
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salamat
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Anu po pedeng nmin sakyan? dto po kmi s Dasmarinas,cavite. Salamat po.
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Sorry di po ako familiar sa route from Cavite.
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Sa Palapala may Van papunta Santo Tomas, Batangas. Usually naghahatid sila hanggang Padre April Shrine with additional fee
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*Padre Pio
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Paano po papunta jan sa national shrine galing kame sa binan laguna
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Hi!!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. This is really informative. Godbless!!!
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Hi! Thanks for this ‘feature article’ of yours. Nice, detailed and very helpful. Thank you also for including the food part. God bless!. :-). RPM (Mio)
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Thanks for reading, i’m glad you found it helpful.
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