Revisiting the Mirador Heritage & Eco-Spirituality Park After Two Years
By: Nonnette C. Bennett
The Lourdes Grotto has long been a pilgrimage site, but in recent years, weekend traffic has revealed a new attraction drawing crowds: the Mirador Heritage & Eco-Spirituality Park. What began as a modest project in 2021 with the inauguration of the Mirador Peace Memorial has since evolved into a destination offering visual, physical, and spiritual experiences.
A Blend of Cultures and Devotions
The installation of the Japanese Torii gate in 2021 marked a turning point. Traditionally, a Shinto symbol of transition from the mundane to the sacred, the gate quickly became a social media sensation. Its presence alongside the iconic Lady of Lourdes statue—long a focal point for Catholic devotion—sparked curiosity and conversation. While some purists questioned the blending of traditions, many embraced it as a reminder that spirituality can be experienced in diverse ways, whether through prayer or through millions of shared photographs online.
Paths of Prayer and Reflection
Since then, Japanese-inspired landscaping has transformed the once rugged hillsides into gentle, meandering paths. For a modest fee of ₱100 for visitors (half for locals), guests can explore six themed adventures. Along the way, the mysteries of the rosary mark the paths, while the La Storta Garden recalls St. Ignatius’ vision near Rome. The Peace Memorial, with its bell and Torii, offers sweeping views of the China Sea on clear days and the misty barangays of La Union on foggy ones. Accessibility has also been prioritized, with wheelchair-friendly routes integrated into the design.
Other highlights include the Blue Moon Gate, inspired by Chinese architecture, and the Pandemic Healing Memorial, which leads to the Holy Family Gardens. Sculptures by renowned artists adorn the Founders’ Garden, while the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove provides an ecological counterpoint to the limestone terrain. Together, these features create a promenade that blends prayer, culture, and nature.
Echoes of History
Few visitors realize that the Jesuits once hosted weather monitoring instruments here in the early 20th century, and even housed earthquake monitoring equipment prior to the 1990 Luzon earthquake. A memorial structure now honors the site’s role in scientific history.
Meanwhile, Bahay Lourdes has been restored and repurposed as Café Inigo, operated by Ebai’s Café. Once the site of a Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company office, where operators connected urgent calls before the age of the internet, it now serves thin-crust pizzas and brewed coffee. Visitors can enjoy a Margarita pizza topped with fresh tomatoes and cheese or the Sagada pizza featuring kini-ing (smoked ham) from the Cordillera—without paying the park entrance fee.
A Destination Worth Returning To
Two years on, the Mirador Heritage & Eco-Spirituality Park continues to evolve, offering new reasons to return. Whether for prayer, leisure, or simply a slice of pizza while waiting for friends, the park provides happiness and spiritual renewal—take-home sentiments from a stroll that is always worth it.
