The Ma-Cho Temple

During our 3days 2nights Fam Tour in Thunderbird Resorts in La Union, we had a chance to visit some of the nearby tourist spots in San Fernando City in La Union.

We were told that we will visit an old Chinese Temple located in the heart of San Fernando City, but I never imagined that I would find myself in a temple called the Macho Temple! Okay, it’s not that way, really. In fact, the name of the temple has very little to do with manliness at all.

The Ma-Cho Temple is located in San Fernando La Union and was built on September 11th, 1975. It’s a Taoist temple and is built in the hills above San Fernando. It looks out on the China Sea and is a place where people of all kinds come to ask for luck from a Chinese Deity named Ma-Cho.

Does Ma-Cho bulge with muscles and exude testosterone?. Nope, in fact, it is much more like the familiar Virgin of Caysasay in Batangas. Not macho at all. Just the opposite, really.

Yes, Ma-Cho was a woman who was born with healing powers and other psychic gifts. She only lived for twenty-seven years, but she saved many Chinese fishermen who might have otherwise died during those times. Hence, the reason the shrine faces the China Sea. One of her names is the Goddess of the Sea.

It’s a beautiful site and temple. Stone carvings, ponds filled with koi, and a small shrine where those asking for the luck of the goddess can burn incense and leave offerings.

Each year a procession goes from the temple to the Basilica of Saint Martin in Taal, Batangas. The pilgrims believe that the Virgin Mary and Ma-Cho are the same diety and thus do her honor.

The temple is a profound place to relax, meditate, or just spend a few hours watching those who come to pray, ask for favors, or leave offerings. And besides that, the view is simply gorgeous.

How do I get to Ma-Cho Temple?

If you are already in San Fernando, La Union, you can ride a tricycle and ask the driver to drop you at Macho Temple. The entrance gate is located along Quezon Avenue.

Travel Tips

There is no entrance fee, however, you can drop donations at the donation box for the maintenance of the vicinity. The temple is open on weekdays from 7am to 5pm. There are available parking spaces for private vehicles inside the temple premises.

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