Reflection park draws thousands of pilgrims

CEBU, Philippines - Thousands of pilgrims from different towns and cities flocked to the 200-hectare Q Park in Compostela town last Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Nestled atop the hills of the Compostela, Q Park is gaining recognition among adventure seekers, family trippers and pilgrims alike.

It is situated some 35 kilometers north from Cebu City and fully owned by the Quisumbing family and the Norkis Group of Companies led by its chairman Dr. Norberto Quisumbing Jr.

The park covers the barangays of Buluang, Canamocan and Tubigan. Its attractions include Stations of the Cross, a Nativity cave and the saints, retreat house and cottages, heroes' hill, as well as camps for girls and boys.

Quisumbing said he was happy upon seeing thousands of pilgrims visiting Q Park since Wednesday morning.

A one-legged man from Bulacan was one of the visitors over the weekend. The man said he was informed by a neighbor about this meditation park in Compostela and this prompted him to visit the place.

Quisumbing, on the other hand, said he decided to develop Q Park not for himself, but for other people - to show them the importance of faith.

Quisumbing recalled that during the Lenten season in 2005, when Q Park opened, some 30,000 visitors walked and prayed the Stations.

In 2006, the number of visitors more than tripled, growing to P100,000. The number, he said, is increasing every year.

According to Quisumbing, a regular visitor of Q Park was the Filipino visionary named Ma. Emma de Guzman. It was during De Guzman's very first visit to Q Park on Holy Thursday in 2007 that she reportedly experienced the sacred "stigmata" there.

The incident was accordingly witnessed by pilgrims present at the time, some of them employees of Norkis Group.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma earlier said Q Park is an ideal place for meditation, soul-searching and reflection.

"Those who lost their way are welcome and the faithful can strengthen their faith in God by meditating at Q Park. Let this Q Park be an inspiration to all people," Quisumbing said. (FREEMAN)