DAVAO CITY—What is touted as the world’s longest and largest rosary here has become a major tourist attraction to the Holy Week travelers this week.
The city also prides itself for its church shrines, as it seeks to explore ways to attract visitors to this southeastern Philippine capital city.
The rosary was constructed out of magcomo or iron wood that is native to the mountains of Davao Oriental and Surigao del Sur. It was originally intended as a project of the Knights of Columbus to commemorate the silver anniversary of the Catholic diocese of Tagum City in 2005.
The city information office said the rosary weighed 2,815 kilograms and measured at 85.5 meters long. The city claims that the Guinness Book of World Records “recognizes [Tagum City’s] giant rosary as the largest Roman Catholic rosary in the whole world.”
Each bead weighs 35 kg and the rosary was placed outside the Christ the King Cathedral, itself a work of art as local artist Kublai Millan “made the bronze artistic designs of the Calvary Cross and the Risen Christ.”
The refurbished and renovated cathedral was dedicated on the city’s 25th anniversary celebration. It stood in a two-hectare area donated by the heirs of the late Dr. and Mrs. Juan Gonzales.
The cathedral was solely built from donations since 1993 and took 12 years to finish, in time for the anniversary of the diocese. The Christ the King Cathedral is known as the biggest in Mindanao.
The city information office said that the cathedral was designed like a castle. “This temple of worship rests in a two-hectare land with an amazing design of towers like those found in fairy tale castles. As pillars of the Church, the statues of Saints Peter and Paul will greet you upon entering the vicinity of the Basilica, an artistic work designed by Luis A-ac of Paete, Laguna.”
The cathedral is located along corner Gonzales Avenue and Sobrecary Street in Magugpo, South of Tagum City, 53 kilometers north of Davao City.
Other religious destinations that Tagum City offers to travelers include Mary’s Woods, a public shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary located at barangay Magdum in Tagum City.
“The shrine features the Station of the Cross from its foot to the top. Pilgrims have to climb a 75-degree hill to reach the top where the life-size statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, measuring seven-feet, is found. Pilgrims say it’s a perfect place to spend the Holy Week since climbing its 315 steps to the top is a perfect way for penitence,” the city information office said.
Also a designated destination, the Our Lady of the Assumption quasi-parish “is one of the favorite Visita Iglesia destinations” in Tagum City located in barangay Magdum.
“The church is sometimes referred to as the People’s Church since it stands inside a subdivision. The church has its own Station of the Cross where pilgrims can pray. Its main altar seems like a garden with falls and green plants,” it said.
Also the Holy Rosary Shrine Oasis at the Dominican Heights in barangay Magdum is sprawled in a 10-hectare land. “It houses the Regina Rosarii Shrine with a 10-foot statue of the Queen of the Rosary conceptualized and built by a young artist from Naga, Jojo Barcena. The statue stands on top of a 59-foot hill with 59 steps representing the beads of the Rosary.”
“The sanctuary with hermitage on the basement is a place of prayer where solitude with God can be experienced. This sanctuary was built through the generous help of Aid to the Church in Need and the friends of Haus of St. Benedikt, Wurzburg, Germany,” the statement said.
The City of Tagum is popularly known as the Palm City of the Philippines, Music Capital of Mindanao, City of Parks and the Home of Festivals. Tagum is strategically located at the southern part of Mindanao; 56 km to Davao City, 231 km to Butuan City, 112 km to Mati City and 363 km to Cagayan City via Buda. The City of Tagum has more than 216,000 populations enjoying the area of 19,580 hectares. It is composed of nine urban barangays and 14 rural barangays.
With its remarkable economic boost as center of trade and commerce, green sceneries and infrastructure development on opening/widening of roads and creation of parks under the watch of Mayor Rey T. Uy, Tagum’s best destinations for reflections and meditations have never been lost in the city’s landmark religious destinations.
Under the spiritual leadership of Bishop Wilfredo D. Manlapaz, Tagumeños have preserved religiosity in the middle of the city’s progress and modernization. Its people remained to be religious and reflective of life’s struggles and victories.
In Photo: Tagum City takes pride in showcasing the world’s largest rosary. (Photo courtesy of Edwin B. Lasquite, Tagum City Information Office.)
