How to go to Manaoag, Pangasinan from Valenzuela

We went on a short visit to Pangasinan to have our cars blessed by the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag last weekend. It was a nice experience because it was our first time to travel north with the whole family. So, if you are also planning to go there here's a short summary and guide for the trip. 

How to Get there

We left our house at 2:30 am and took the NLEX route from Valenzuela since we are coming from CAMANAVA area. From Balintawak/Valenzuela you have two options: you can exit at SCTEX or you can pass through Sta. Ines exit. That would take you about 45 mins depending on your speed and the toll fee will cost you 45 pesos upon entry at Valenzuela and 236 pesos upon exit at Sta. Ines. 

From NLEX to SCTEX

Upon egressing Sta. Ines, we passed through Concepcion-Magalang Road until we entered Concepcion Interchange which is still part of SCTEX. We continued traveling until we reached Tarlac City Interchange which is the end of SCTEX and the start of TPLEX. From Concepcion to Tarlac City Interchange it costs around 56 pesos.

From SCTEX to TPLEX

So from Tarlac City Interchange we continued driving until we reached Binalonan exit which costs around 235 pesos. From Binalonan exit you have to turn left to reach Manaoag (if you turn right you will be directed to Binalonan proper). And that was the end of TPLEX. 

(NLEX) Valenzuela - Sta. Ines exit - (SCTEX) Concepcion - Tarlac City exit - (TPLEX) Tarlac - Binalonan exit 

From Binalonan to Manaoag

From Binalonan exit you have to drive along Binalonan-Dagupan highway which took us about 15 minutes to reach the welcoming arch of Manaoag and from there about 10-15 mins depending on the volume of cars in the area. We went on a weekend so we expected traffic but luckily at 5:45 am the traffic is not that bad. We set foot inside the Church before 6 am. 

(Here's a short clip that I made during the visit)

However, we were trapped by several guys who guided us to a parking space instead on the queue going inside the Church for the blessing. There were a lot of them around the Church so beware. Instead of having the cars blessed we opted to walk to the Church and attend the Holy Mass first. 

If your goal is to have you car blessed, you have to avoid talking to guys who would promise to assist you on the line. Much better if you just closed your windows and drive through the front of the Church (Milo Street) and turn left on Castro Street which is on the left side of the Church. The line for car blessing usually starts there up until you reach Malapit Street which is on the rear side of the Church where Gate 6 is located. Gate 6 is the entrance allotted for car blessing. Click here for the vicinity map of Manaoag Church. 

The car blessing is done in batches so while waiting in the car you can eat your breakfast. It took us 30 minutes until we finally entered the Church. Then the blessing took only 3-5 minutes per car. Don't forget to give donations to the Church. Of course, the blessing would be more powerful if you also pray to Mama Mary. 

After the blessing, you can opt to look for a parking space so you can spend more time on the Church or attend the Mass. Then, don't forget to grab a souvenir or eat tupig on your way out! We bought tupig for 5 pieces at P20 and some bracelets at P20-30. There are also fruit stands and stores selling shirts and relics around the Church. 

And that was it, we headed back home at around 11 am and had our lunch at City Mall SCTEX Concepcion. We reached Valenzuela Exit at around 3 pm. 

If you want to know more about the Minor Basilica you can check their website here.