You never really travelled Bacolod if hindi ka nakapunta dito. This place is just near in the SM Bacolod so you don’t have any reason para di makapunta. The John Paul II Tower stands at the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. reclaimed area where the Pope held a Mass in February 20, 1981. It was built to commemorate the event that happened twenty-nine years ago when the late Pope John Paul II visited Bacolod City.
Makikita mo pa lang at the entrance of the tower stands an eight-foot sculpture of John Paul made of synthetic bronze and fiberglass created by Brother Tagoy Jakosalem. So you already have the idea that this tower is a religious historical landmark, not just in the Bacolod City but also in the Philippines. On top of the tower is a 12-foot stainless steel lighted cross. This eight-story glass tower was inaugurated on February 18, 2010.
Each floor has photos and memorabilia of the Pope but I appreciate more the paintings in the wall in every corner of every floor. There is a store of religious items and souvenirs on the ground floor. Even the Papa Chair, used as the pontifical throne by Pope John Paul II during his pastoral visit to Bacolod, is displayed on one of the floors.
This painting was my favorite as we visit the tower, since i love architecture and landscapes paintings and pictures, this really melts my heart. By the way, the tower stands at the reclamation area in BREDCO the deck at the 7th floor offers an amazing panoramic view of Bacolod!
It is also equipped with a glass enclosed elevator, a water system and a generating set. The JPII Tower will not just be Bacolod's fine tourist attraction but a testament on how strong our catholic faith is.
Pope John Paul Tower have an entrance fee of PHP20 for Regular & PHP10 for Students. Sa halagang bente pesos, pwede ka na kasaka sa tower, mag photoshoot, maging artistic sa pagiintindi ng paintings or just pray. Sasakit nga lang tuhod mo sa pagsaka, but it will be worth it once you’re already on the top.
This is the view on the seventh floor of the building. There is Bacolod Baywalk on one side, SM city and the busy downtown area on the other. On top of the tower is a breathtaking view of Bacolod City and the Guimaras Strait.
I recommend sa mga makadto na visit this place around sunrise or sunset kay mas maappreciate nyo ang place. Since we went there after duty, so basically we witnessed the Sunset on the top floor. Actually all you need is good timing din. Medyo mahangin na sa taas around that time so bet na bet ng iba to get lumilipad na hair sa mga pictures. But for us, the sunset gives the place more appealing.
As you can see in the previous pics, this tower is one of the tallest building in the BREDCO area. So pagsaka sa babaw, tanaw mo gid how flat is the Bacolod. That’s why man guro iba gd ang init sa Bacolod compare to Iloilo. Nangitim talaga ako dun eh, kahit maitim na ko. Haha. I insert ko na lang di ang appreciation post ko for my roommate, Carla. She accompanies me in my first few weeks in Bacolod. Punta didto, Kadto dira. Halos ikutin na ang buong Bacolod. Taga gising ko din yan sa umaga to remind me na may duty even alas kwatro na ko kapuli kakanight out. Hahaha. I love this girl katulad sang pagpalangga ko sa Bacolod.
Pope John Paul II Tower is a must-visit landmark in the city. As the tower's Vision-Mission states: "The Pope John Paul II Tower is a pilgrimage center that embodies and perpetuates the ideas, life, advocacies, commitment and holiness of Pope John Paul II-an ardent Promoter of the culture of life and the culture of love."
