The Backpack Adventures

Located in the Atimonan side of the Quezon National Forest Park in the province of Quezon, Pinagbanderahan is a historic and "strategic" part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Mt. Mirador / Mt. Pinagbanderahan Pinagbanderahan History It is commonly and erroneously referred to by many as  Mt. Pinagbanderahan . However, its real name is actually  Mt. Mirador  and it is part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The name   Pinagbanderahan  came from the Filipino phrase "place where the flag was hoisted". The peak got its name from the historic flag hoisting events in the different eras of Philippine history. The first flag was hoisted on the mountain's peak during the Philippine Revolution.  Mt. Pinagbanderahan - Atimonan, Quezon The Filipino revolutionaries hoisted the Philippine flag after kicking out the Spanish colonizers from the province. A few years later, the Americans hoisted The Old Glory on the mountain's peak after successfully defeating the

Kamay ni Hesus Shrine,  or simply Kamay ni Hesus   is a famous religious shrine and grotto. It is l ocated in Barangay Tinamnan, Lucban in the province of Quezon. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine Kamay ni Hesus Shrine History Also known as  Via Dolorosa Grotto , Kamay ni Hesus Shrine was built under the initiative of Fr. Joseph "Joey" Faller in 2003. He is known as a gifted healing priest. Due to Fr. Faller's healing masses, Kamay ni Hesus Shrine became one of the country's most visited healing centers. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine - Lucban, Quezon Statues of saints can be seen in different areas of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine A replica of Pieta by Michelangelo Pilgrims look like ants from a distance. Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church Inside the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church One of the highlights of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine is the 50-foot statue of Christ with his arm wide open found on the top of a hill. This statue is often referred to as the Risen Christ or Ascending

Located in Gumaca in the province of Quezon, San Diego de Alcala Fortress is a historical Spanish structure that is recognized as a National Treasure by the National Historical Institute (NHI) since 1981. San Diego de Alcala Fortress San Diego de Alcala Fortress History Also known to locals as Kastilyo or  Kutang San Diego , the fortress was constructed sometime in the 1680s or 1690s. It was  d ue   to  the suggestion and leadership of a Franciscan priest named Fray Francisco Coste that the fortress was constructed in the town. Its main purpose was to guard the town from marauding pirates attacking towns in Lamon Bay. Aside from that, it also served as the primary defense of the town against the invading Dutch in the 1700s.  San Diego de Alcala Fortress  - Gumaca, Quezon Province San Diego de Alcala Fortress as seen from the bridge going in the town Close up of San Diego de Alcala Fortress As a defensive structure, the fortress still has some of its cannons intact. Asid