Northern Ilocos
11 October 2014
From Manila, I traveled to the the northernmost town of Ilocos - PAGUDPUD (Ilocos Norte). I took a Florida bus bound for Pagudpud from Sampaloc Manila. It was a very long travel of 12 hours but it was all worth it. From Pagudpud, I hopped from town to town moving south. The southernmost town of Ilocos along the highway is TAGUDIN (Ilocos Sur).
PAGUDPUD - Paradise of the North!
Undoubtedly, the trademarks of the town of Pagudpud are the white-sand beaches and other natural attractions. At Pagudpud, I found the following points of interest - PATAPAT VIADUCT | AGUA GRANDE | PARAISO NI ANTON | BANTAY ABOT | DOS HERMANAS | BLUE LAGOON | SAUD BEACH | KABIGAN FALLS | TIMMANGTANG ROCK.
From Pagudpud town proper, I hired a tricycle to move me around the place. I met Manong Bong Malata (+639219628663) who patiently toured me around Pagudpud with his tricycle. The cost of hiring a tricycle ranges from P700 to P1400 at that time depending on your choice of destinations. These rates are regulated by the local government of Pagudpud.
There are many destinations - North and South of Pagudpud.
Patapat Viaduct is a bridge elevated 31 meters over sea level, 1.3 km long that connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. It rises along the town's coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines (Wikipedia).
Agua Grande is a nice and peaceful picnic park located near the Blue Lagoon and Patapat Viaduct. One remarkable thing at the site is where the fresh water from the mountains meet the sea.
Paraiso Ni Anton can be found at the northern end of the Patapat Viaduct. Small water stream coming down from the steep side of the mountain where a grotto is also located. Travelers from Ilocos Norte bound for Cagayan Valley usually stop at this place for refreshments. The water stream is potable and for some, it is said to be miraculous.
Bantay Abot, in Ilocano means "A Mountain with a Hole" as the word "Abot" in Ilocano means a hole. This attraction can be found near the Blue Lagoon. This site can be accessed easily from the bridge along the highway leading to the Blue Lagoon resorts. From the bridge, it takes at least 10 minute trek down to the sea shore and then up the mountain hole. Getting inside the "hole" provides a captivating view of the West Philippine Sea and the surrounding places. Using a telescope, the nearest islands of Batanes can be seen when the weather is clear.
Dos Hermanas are two mountains about the size of a Chocolate Hill located few hundred meters away from the sea shore. It is a mini island. A local of Pagudpud said that there are boats going to Dos Hermanas for those who want to further explore the island.
Blue Lagoon or commonly known as the “Boracay of the North” or "Maira-ira Beach". The water is crystal blue as the name implies. The powdery, white sand is very fine like that of Boracay. But unlike Boracay, the place is not crowded and the villas are not like those in Boracay - high class villas. Blue Lagoon is very peaceful and unspoiled. The shore line is longer than that of Boracay and the waves are high.
Saud Beach, is one of the well-known beach resorts in the northwest of Luzon, located in Pagudpud , Ilocos Norte. This is also a perfect site for sunset viewing (Saud Beach Resort).
Kabigan Falls is located in the town of Pagudpud near the boundary of Ilocos Norte and Cagayan. A minor trek is required going to the site of the water falls. Kabigan is less than a hundred meters high and it is covered with lush green forest. Trekking to the falls passes through open rice fields and covered trails. From the entrance, it takes 45 minute at most to reach the water falls. Entrance fee of P20.00. Guides are required for the trek and provided at the entrance/registration area.
Timmangtang Rock is a hill-size rock near the Bantay Abot. Others said, it is a bell-shaped rock. Local myth has it that the Bantay Abot and the Timmangtang Rock are "Lovers Mountains". The Timmangtang Rock being the Male and the Bantay Abot the Female.
Pagudpud, truly is a paradise. Aside from the white powdery beaches, one can also enjoy mini-trekking and the waterfalls and many other sights to behold.
BANGUI - The Windmills Capital of the Philippines!
From the town of Pagudpud, I traveled to the neighboring town of Bangui. The word "Bangui" would always be paired with the word "Windmills." I took a tricycle ride to get to the Windmills and took close-up photos with the giant Elysee.
The Windmills are huge and impressively lined-up along the shores of Bangui. For many times, I had seen these Windmills on television, newspapers, blog sites and web pages. Truly, these monuments had gone a long way as far as tourism in Ilocos is concerned.
Background: Bangui is a fourth class municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 15,025 people. The first power generating windmill farm in Southeast Asia, commonly known as Bangui Wind Farm, is found in the municipality of Bangui.
The wind farm uses 20 units of 70-metre (230 ft) high Vestas V82 1.65 MW wind turbines, arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline of Bangui Bay, facing the South China Sea. Phase I of the NorthWind power project in Bangui Bay consists of 15 wind turbines, each capable of producing electricity up to a maximum capacity of 1.65 MW, for a total of 24.75 MW. The 15 on-shore turbines are spaced 326 metres (1,070 ft) apart, each 70 metres (230 ft) high, with 41 metres (135 ft) long blades, with a rotor diameter of 82 metres (269 ft) and a wind swept area of 5,281 square metres (56,840 sq ft). Phase II, was completed on August 2008, and added 5 more wind turbines with the same capacity, and brought the total capacity to 33 MW. All 20 turbines describes a graceful arc reflecting the shoreline of Bangui Bay, facing the South China Sea (Wikipedia).
BURGOS
From Bangui, I hopped to the town of Burgos down south. When it comes to touristic destinations, the name "Burgos" sparks a top-of-the-mind recall of Burgos Lighthouse also known as "Cape Bojeador" and the "Kapurpurawan Rock Formations." I first explored the Cape Bojeador atop the hill.
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse Built in 1892
The lighthouse is very old. I learned from a local that Cape Bojeador is now the only remaining Spanish era lighthouse in the Philippines that is still operational. The metal frames were rusting. I got a chance to climb up to the light bulb and then marveled at the landscape below - lush greenery and the wide blue West Philippine Sea.
From the Burgos lighthouse, I traveled to the Kapurpurawan rock formation. The name was derived from the Ilocano work "Puraw" meaning white. Kapurpurawan because of the white rock formations. This site is located along the sea shore of Burgos and require a 20 minute walk along the rocky side of the sea. The rock formations are carved by nature in a very long number of years.
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
The Kapurpurawan Rock formation is a perfect example of nature's art. For thousands of years, the wind coming from the sea, the heat coming from the sun and the rain formed this marvelous white rock formation.
As I looked at my photos, I never thought that they were taken at Kapurpurawan. Many of my friends who saw the photos said that the image on the photos looked like a place somewhere in Europe.
Indeed, Kapurpurawan is an amazing rock formation, a must-see when visiting the town of Burgos.
Background: Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse, is a cultural heritage structure in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, that was established during the Spanish Colonial period in the Philippines. It was first lit on March 30, 1892, and is set high on Vigia de Nagpartian Hill overlooking the scenic Cape Bojeador where early galleons used to sail by. After over 100 years, it still functions as a welcoming beacon to the international ships that enter the Philippine Archipelago from the north and guide them safely away from the rocky coast of the town.
The light marks the northwestern-most point in Luzon. The northeastern-most being Cape Engaño Lighthouse on Palaui Island, Santa Ana, Cagayan. The 66-foot-tall (20 m) octagonal stone tower, the most prominent structure in the vicinity, can be seen from as far away as Pasuquin town in the south and Bangui on the east on a clear day. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the highest-elevated nor tallest lighthouse in the Philippines. But the highest elevated still original and active Spanish era lighthouse in the country (Wikipedia).
BACARRA
From Burgos, I then traveled south to the town of Bacarra. I had a nice and relaxing photo walk at the peaceful town of Bacarra in Ilocos Norte. Specifically, I went there to see the old church and its belfry. I took a bus bound for Laoag City and alighted at the road crossing leading to Bacarra town proper. I reached the town of Bacarra and I was welcomed immediately by the gigantic ruins of the church belfry. Others call it the "Dignified Domeless Belfry of Asia".
Bacarra Church and Bell Tower
According to the Tourism department, Bacarra Church was constructed by the Spanish Augustinian Friars in 1593 and subsequently inaugurated in 1782. It was destroyed by the intensity 7.8 earthquake on August 1983 and reconstructed and once again inaugurated in August 1984.
The image of the patron saint, San Andres stands in front of his x-shaped cross in the central niche. The Bacarra Bell Tower with its unusual elongated cupola was built during the 1830’s. It is located at the left side of the Roman Catholic Church.
It is made up of coral blocks and stucco with an original height of fifty meters and a five meter-thick wall. An earthquake wrecked it in 1931, which had caused the top most portions to tilt a little sideward on the right.
The debris of the collapse remain at the vicinity of the belfry untouched.
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LAOAG CITY
From Bacarra, I traveled to Laoag City, the capital of Ilocos Norte. The word "Laoag" in Ilocano means " Light" hence Laoag City is the "City of Light".
Ilocos Norte Capitol
(Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=381357285285618&set=a.264560823631932.66094.103657673055582&type=1&theater)
Laoag is now a bustling city with many establishments being built. Though improving and progressing, the city has maintained many of its ancestral establishments built during the Spanish era. For instance, the old tobacco warehouse had been turned into a museum called "Museo Ilocos Norte". The old marker of the tobacco revolt still stands at the middle of the plaza facing the Ilocos Norte capitol building. Most importantly, Laoag Cathedral and its sinking belfry, Ilocos version of the leaning tower of Pizza in Italy, still intact.
There are many more touristic places in the city worth exploring like the Forth Ilocandia and Plaza Del Norte. The Laoag International Airport remains a gateway for visitors to Ilocandia.
Background: The City of Laoag (Ilokano: Ciudad ti Laoag; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Laoag) is a third class city in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It is the capital city of Ilocos Norte, and the province's political, commercial, and industrial hub. It is the northernmost city in the Philippines and the location of the Ilocos region's only commercial airport (Wikipedia).
Laoag Cathedral Facade
Laoag Cathedral is located few meters away from the provincial capitol building while its sinking belfry is located outside the church plaza along the side of a busy street.
Background: Laoag Cathedral, canonically known as St. William Cathedral is a church in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It was built in 1612 by Augustinian friars to replace a wooden chapel. It is known for its Italian Renaissance design and its Sinking Bell Tower, which sinks into the ground at a rate of an inch a year.
Laoag Cathedral Interior
The church has an unusual two-storey façade, supported by two pairs of columns on each side of the arched entrance. The top of the façade holds a recessed niche that showcases the image of the city's patron saint, San Guillermo (Saint William). It has windows made from capiz with wrought iron screens.
Sinking Belfry of Laoag Cathedral
The church was originally built using lime mixed with molasses for strength, with big stones, gravel and sand. Wood was used for trusses to support the roof, which originally was made of cogon grass and was later replaced with nipa. Much later the roofing was again changed to taleb, a corrugated galvanised iron sheet made with whole bamboo.
The church was damaged by hurricane in 1640, by earthquake in 1706, by fire in 1843. The church was restored in 1880 (Wikipedia).
Museo Ilocos Norte used to be a Tabacalera now turned into a museum showcasing the Ilocano culures and traditions. It is located along V. Llanes street. Museum hours - Mondays to Saturdays 9am - 12noon, 1pm to 5prm (closed on Sundays). Entrance fee - general admission 20 pesos.
Background: The Museo Ilocos Norte is a learning center of Ilocos Norte traditions. Within its spaces are many opportunities for inter-active and multi-disciplinary experiences. Its presentations are continually evolving, responding to new findings and revelations on the cultures of Ilocos Norte. In the Museum proper, artifacts illustrate how peoples such as the Ilocanos, Yapayaos, Isnegs and Igorots have wrested a living from the earth and waters of the province.
Visitors are invited to tarry a while in the Ancestral House, and imagine the gracious living before the 1940s. A Hall for Changing Exhibits links the Museo not only with special aspects of living in Ilocos Norte, but also with development in the country and elsewhere. Venues for special events are the Entablado for small groups, and the Patio for outdoor gatherings. The search for knowledge continues in the Library, stocked with books and informational materials on the region. Souvenirs are available at the nearby Sarusar (Museo Ilocos Norte).
Tobacco Monument
Tobacco Monopoly Monument. This old monument is located at the center of a plaza facing the Ilocos Norte capitol building.
Background: The Tobacco Monopoly Monument was a landmark constructed at the foot of the Marcos Bridge, over the Laoag River, which commemorates the lifting of tobacco monopoly in the Philippines in accordance to the royal decree of June 5, 1881 of King Alfonso XIII in 1881. It was built in gratitude for the said King whom without his order, will not end the agonies of the Ilocanos who are forced to plant tobacco. The tobacco monopoly was established in 1782 by Governor Jose Basco y Vargas by virtue of the royal decree of February 9, 1780. It aimed to bring in large profits for the government and make the Philippines the leading tobacco producer of the world. Although it was abolished during the incumbency of Governor Fernando Primo de Rivera in 1881, tobacco remains to be a major cash crop in the province (WikiPilipinas).
Read more about Laoag things to do.
SAN NICOLAS
Moving out of the bustling city, I explored the old church of San Nicolas. San Nicolas is at the vicinity of Laoag City. There is a jeepney terminal bound for San Nicolas at Laoag. The old church is located along the main road. It is a massive church.
Background: St. Nicolas of Tolentino Church is one of the churches in the Philippines, named after the patron saint. St. Nicolas' image shows his right hand holding pieces of bread, which he would bless and spread in commemoration of the miracle of the Virgin Mary.
The church was built of stone and brick in 1584 and reconstructed from 1693 to 1703 by Father Antonio Villanueva. It was hit by an earthquake in in 1707 and was badly damaged by the revolt in Sarrat in 1815. It has a baroque facade which has a Spanish coat of arms in stucco and a semicircular arched entrance. The church's bell tower built by Father Victoriano Garcia, is connected to a convent by a passageway (WikiPilipinas).
The church was closed during my visit so I didn't get a chance to explore the interior. Nevertheless, I was satisfied by the architecture of the exterior of the church. Undoubtedly, the architecture is Baroque just like the other churches of Ilocos.
BATAC CITY
From San Nicolas, I moved on to the city of Batac. Batac is well know to all. Is is the home town of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. I went to Batac to explore the Marcos Presidential Center (Museum) and Mausoleum and to have a glimpse at the Batac Church.
Batac is a 30-minute jeepney ride from the church of San Nicolas. I first visited the Mausoleum of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and then explored the Museum located just beside the Mausoleum. The Museum is used to be the ancestral home of the parents of the late President. I was so happy to see that old house still looks the same and well maintained.
There were many tourists at the time of my visit. The museum showcases many of the Marcos memorabilias.
From the Marcos Museum, I walked a few meters to see the Photo Gallery at the building beside the museum.
There I saw thousands of Pres. Marcos' memorabilia photos and few paintings. They were all good and well maintained.
I had a glimpse at the Batac Church located just infront of the Marcos Museum but I didn't get in to see its interior anymore because of time.
Background: In 1587, the Augustinians appointed Fr. Esteban Marin as the first prior of Batac. Another prior, Fr. Pedro de Vivar wrote the “Relacion” retelling Diego Silang's rise against the Spaniards in 1762. In 1620, however, original buildings were destroyed. Fr. Pedro Cariaga began reconstructing the church in 1690 and finished it in 1692.
The present church is the 1692 reconstruction. Its facade has been renovated recently, whitewashed, and plastered with the original palitada. The original features and authentic colors give the church a Romanesque look with an Italian influence exemplified by recessed portals, embellished wheel windows, and inverted moldings. Heavy twin pilasters complement the large rose window and the wide opening of the main portal (WikiPilipinas).
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PAOAY - Pumaypayapay (Kumakaway)!
From the Marcos Presidential Center, I took a jeepney bound for Paoay. Whenever I visit Ilocos, I always make sure to drop by Paoay to see the World Heritage listed San Agustin Church.
Facade and Bell Tower of Paoay Church
Aside from Vigan, the Paoay church, also known as San Agustin church, is another site that I cannot afford to miss whenever I travel to the Ilocos provinces.
According to UNESCO, this church is the most massive church of all churches in the Philippines with 24 massive buttresses measuring nearly 3-meters thick built around the church 2 meters thick walls as protection.
The materials used to build the walls and buttresses are made of coral stones cut into square blocks, bricks and adobe stones and then glued together using sugar cane and egg white.
Massive Church Facade
24 S-shape Massive Buttresses nearly 3 meters thick
According to Wikipedia, the church facade also exudes Javanese architecture reminiscent of Borobudur of Java.
Javanese Architecture
Building of the present church started in 1694, according to historians. This church has been hit by 2 giant earthquakes in the last 300 years but due to its quake resistive structure, it remained intact to date.
Third layer of the church facade bearing the old seal of Spain
Furthermore, UNESCO said that this church is the best example of a Baroque church in the Philippines. This church is another UNESCO World Heritage site in the Ilocos provinces.
Watch Baroque Churches of the Philippines, according to UNESCO.
Just like the developments in the City of Vigan, there are many developments at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Paoay.
Facing the facade of the church at the right side of the Plaza, there is a new building, which was currently being constructed by the time of visit, that will house the tourism office of Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
Future Tourism Office at Paoay, Ilocos Norte
The left side of the church has been developed and turned into a beautiful garden called "Jardin de San Agustin".
Jardin de San Agustin
The parish residence is a new building constructed at least 20 meters away from the church to provide a buffer zone as required by UNESCO.
Inside the church, the altar was improved with the statue of San Agustin at the main altar and the altar table now dressed in gold-color with intricate designs.
More and more visitors are coming to Paoay to see the church and other tourist spots at the area.
To get a view of the church façade at night, I stayed late at the plaza and waited for the lamp posts and wall lamps to light up and even at night, the grandeur of the church can't be denied.
Paoay Church at Night
Truly, Paoay Pumaypayapay (Kumakaway)!
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Guling-Guling Festival in Paoay - Street Dance Rehearsal
There was a rehearsal of the different street dances that will be presented during the annual "Guling-Guling" festival of the town of Paoay during my visit.
Paoay Town Hall
The rehearsal started at the back of the Municipal Hall and converge at the Plaza facing the Paoay Church. There were around 200 dancers at that time.
According to historians, "This festival of Paoay, Ilocos Norte started in the olden days since the Spanish regime. The friars have introduced this event in the 16th century.
It is a celebration held on Tuesdays before Ash Wednesdays to signify that this is the last day for the townsfolk to enjoy all forms of merrymaking before they observe the Lenten season. The Ilocano word “guling” means to mark or smear.
Using wet and white rice flour, the town mayor would smear the sign of cross in a person’s forehead. Its white color signifies purity and it is believed that through this procedure a person is cleansed of all of his past sins.
I even submitted myself to be smeared with the sign of the cross on my forehead." Visit Treasures of Ilocandia and the World web site.
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Sand Dunes
Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Although not on my bucket list, I decided to pass-by Suba in Paoay Ilocos Norte to see the National Geological Monument in the Philippines that can be found only in the province of Ilocos Norte, the amazing Sand Dunes.
4x4 Terminal
With limited time, I just decided to climb one of the sandy hills and take some shots. Stretching 800 meters wide, the sand dunes of Suba is the only place where you can find a desert in this tropical country.
The place was the setting for memorable movies like Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July and Temptation Island, that famously campy 1980s film by Joey Gosiengfiao. It is also where Nora Aunor uttered the now-immortal line “Walang Himala!” in the Ishmael Bernal classic Himala.
This was also the setting of Fernando Poe's - Panday. Ilocos Norte’s unique sand dunes stretches from the municipality of Currimao in the north up to La Paz in Laoag City then to Suba in Paoay and finally in Pasuquin in the south.
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Paoay Lake
Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte
On my way to the "Malacanang ti Amianan" I stopped over to have a glimpse of the fresh water lake of Paoay in Suba. Paoay lake located 3 kilometers away from the sea in Suba, Paoay has an area of 470 hectares. Declared as a National Park under Republic Act 5631 on June 21, 1969, its environs has been turned into a sports complex including a world-class golf course.
Paoay Lake
Paoay Lake and the Malacanang of the North
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Malacanang ti Amianan
Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Malacañang of the North "Malacanang ti Amianan" is the other term used by Ilocanos to describe Malacañang of the North. This is the official residence of the former President Ferdinand Marcos in Ilocos Norte, built on a high point of land projecting into the sea right beyond the coastline of the legendary Paoay Lake, this enduring structure is now a museum.
Malacanang of the North
Entrance
Paoay Church Painting
Interior
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BADOC
From Paoay, I took a bus bound for Vigan and alighted at the town of Badoc. Badoc is the last town of Ilocos Norte going south. Badoc is the birthplace of the great painter - Juan Luna.
Juan Luna Shrine
Aside from being the birthplace of Juan Luna, Badoc also holds another heritage gem, the Badoc old church and belfry.
Juan Luna Monument
From the main road, I took a 10-minute tricycle ride going to the town proper. Along the way, I passed by the Juan Luna shrine. This is a reconstruction of the original house that was burned down in 1861.
Background: The Juan Luna Shrine is a reconstruction of the house in which the painter was born on October 24, 1857. (The original house burned down in 1861.) It is a typical two-story middle-class country home. The main entrance opens into the alcove just before the family gallery. Photographs on the walls show the damaged original house and how teams of construction workers rebuilt it.
The family gallery holds vintage photographs of the Luna clan, including Juan Luna’s son, Andres. The museum also uses the family gallery to display household artifacts from Luna’s time.
Beyond the staircase are display cases exhibiting Luna’s palettes. Also shown are articles belonging to his brother, Antonio, including his sword, uniform and a letter he wrote to Leon Apacible.
The third section of the lower floor holds reproductions of Luna’s two large works—”Spoliarium” and “El Pacto de Sangre.” There are also portraits of his wife, Paz Pardo de Tavera, and national hero Jose Rizal.
The staircase leads up to the living room, bedrooms, azotea and chapel. The living room is furnished in period furniture and accessories. The master bedroom contains the four-poster bed used by Luna.
Outside, facing the azotea, is the bedroom which Luna shared with his brothers. Across the azotea is the family chapel (Juan Luna Shrine).
From the Juan Luna Shrine, I took a 10-minute walk towards the Plaza to see and explore the centuries-old Badoc church.
Badoc Church Facade
Church Massive Walls
Background: Located at Badoc, Ilocos Norte, this church was formerly called the Sinait Chapel in 1591, became a parochial in 1714. The church is made of brick and stone and was artistically built under the administration of Rev. P. Valentin Beovide. The famous Filipino painter Juan Luna was baptized in this church on October 27, 1857 (WikiPilipinas).
La Virgen Milagrosa Badoc houses the Sanctuary of the Miraculous Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the La Virgen Milagrosa. History traces the life-sized statue to Nagasaki, Japan. It was sent floating in the sea by missionaries operating in secret in Japan (for fear of persecution during the Tokugawa Regime), along with the Miraculous Statue of the Black Nazarene (Sinait's Santo Cristo Milagroso).
It was first found by local fishermen in the shores of Barangay Dadalaquiten, on the boundary between Sinait and Badoc, in the year 1620. Only fishermen from Sinait were able to move the Statue of the Black Nazarene. The fishermen from Badoc, unable to move the Black Nazarene, were able to move the La Virgen Milagrosa that came with it--which was, in turn, unable to be moved by the fishermen from Sinait. They took the statues to their respective towns, hence becoming their patron saints. Today The La Virgen Milagrosa is enshrined at the Badoc Church (Wikipedia).
DINGRAS
From Badoc, I took a bus bound north and went back to Laoag City. From there I took a jeepney bound for the town of Dingras. My objective was to visit the old church there that was on ruins for a long time. I heard a report that there were plans of demolishing the old church structure already for public safety.
Dingras Church Facade Restoration
For quite sometime, the old church was left on ruins since the time it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, according to church historians. I was so delighted to see the old church being restored with the almost completed facade.
By the time of my visit, construction was on full-swing. I went around the church and I saw that the massive walls and buttresses still stand and a new full-metal braced roofing had been installed.
Old bricks from the Church Ruins
What impressed me so much was the way the construction and restoration were carried out. The old bricks were recovered from ruins of the old church walls and then reused on the new wall construction.
After all, it's not a totally new construction as the original bricks still there. Somehow the authenticity of the church walls and materials were preserved.
For not so long, the facade of the massive church will soon stand in its full grandeur again and welcome the amazing and faithful people of Dingras just like in the past.
Full-metal Braced Roofing
Massive buttresses still stand
Kudos to all the people of Dingras for this great achievement - preserving not just the faith but also another treasure of Ilocandia and the world, a priceless heritage!!
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SARRAT
From Dingras, I took a jeepney bound for Laoag City and alighted at the town of Sarrat.
Sarrat Church, Ilocos Norte
Old Convent
Sarrat is the birthplace of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and their ancestral home still stands beside the highway and now turned into a museum of Marcos memorabilias.
Marcos Museum, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
On foot, I first explore the Marcos ancestral home. The house is a two-storey building of a typical colonial home architecture. The windows are made of capiz shells. Inside were hundreds of Marcos memorabilia including an old bed where Dona Josefa Edralin Marcos gave birth to the former President.
Museum Interior
After exploring the Marcos ancestral home, I walked towards the plaza and there I saw the massive Sta. Monica church and its belfry few meters away from the church building. The ruins of the old convent still stands and some portion of it still being used. I didn't get to see the interior of the church as it was closed at that time.
Background: Sarrat is a fourth class municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It is situated geographically just southeast of Laoag City, the capital of the province. Sarrat is bounded by the cities and municipalities of Batac to the southwest, San Nicolas to the west, Laoag to the northwest, Piddig to the northeast, Dingras to the east, the town of Marcos to the southeast, and a small portion of Banna to the south. The town is known as the birthplace of Ferdinand Marcos, the 10th President of the Philippines and for Sarrat Church, the largest church in the province and an Important Cultural Property of the Philippines (Wikipedia).
Dios ti agngina, Ilocos Norte!!
-o0o-
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