Explore and Discover the Sta. Monica Church of Angat

Angat, Province of Bulacan

The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Rome is one of the World's Treasures that I'm preparing to explore and discover someday in the near future.

Church Facade and Belfry

Little did I know that another version of the Sistine Chapel is just nearby waiting for me to explore and discover.

Church Belfry, Facade and Adjoining School Building

According to the Department of Tourism, The Sta. Monica Church in Angat, province of Bulacan is a 400-year old church, it is one of the oldest churches of the province, and one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines. It displays a marvelous Baroque architecture and its interior replicated the famous Sistine Chapel (Bulacan Tourism).

Historical Marker

It was a humid Sunday afternoon and after learning about the Sta. Monica Church, I hurriedly prepared my gears and head on to Angat in Bulacan.

 

 

According to Wikipedia, Angat is a first class partially urban Municipality. It is approximately a hundred kilometers away from Manila.

I took a jeep bound for Divisoria and then from there I took a bus that ply the Divisoria-Angat route. It was 1400H in the afternoon and I boarded an ordinary bus since the air-con bus had just left the terminal.

It was almost a two hour bus travel from Divisoria to Angat.

Sta. Monica Church is located just in front of Angat wet market and near the Municipal Hall. It is situated along the main highway and can be seen easily.

I arrived at Angat almost 1600H already. I was hoping that the church was still open at that time because I was so eager to see the ceiling fresco-ed with paintings, replica of the famous Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Upon entering the church plaza, I noticed that the main door was closed though one of the smaller doors was open. I was so happy and thankful.

It reminded me on the same scenario when I explored the Betis Church in Pampanga. There were two Parishioners who were fixing the statue of Sta. Monica near the altar, that's why the church was open at that time.

Church Interior

I hurriedly entered the church. Upon entering, I was completely surprised and amazed of what I saw. Though it was quite dark already, I couldn't help but to feast my eyes looking at the fresco-ed ceiling of the church.

I told myself, Sta. Monica Church is the Sistine Chapel of the Philippines.

Main Altar

I moved along the center isle from the main entrance of the church towards the main altar looking at the ceiling and marveling at the paintings.

"Creation of Adam"

At the middle of the ceiling from the main entrance, I spotted an exact replica of the painting at the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo "The Creation of Adam". 

"Santa Cruzan"

Among the paintings, I have also spotted "Santa Cruzan" and the "First Catholic Mass" in the Philippines. This, for me, made the Sta. Monica Church the "Pinoy Sistine Chapel".

I stayed inside the church marveling at its ceiling while the two Parishioners were still inside. After a few minutes, I had to leave as they were closing the church.

Augustinian Seal

Outside, I feasted my sight with the facade and architecture of this old church. The Department of Tourism estimated that the Sta. Monica church is about 400 years old by now.

Main Entrance

According to the information that I got, the church was recently renovated following its original design.

The church design is a Baroque Style.

Layers of the Church Facade

The church facade is a three story wall. I was amazed at the church old wooden door. 

Upper Portion of the Wooden Door

Wooden Door Carvings

At the right half portion of the wooden door is an image of Sta. Monica holding a cross with tears on her face. The locals there call her the "Crying Lady".

At the left half portion of the wooden door is an image of St. Augustine.

Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary

At the second layer of the facade, there is a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ at upper portion of the facade. 

The octagonal belfry is attached to the church at the right side (facing the church facade).

The structure attached to the left side of the church looked like a monastery or convent at first, but it is a school building.

Something that i failed to see was the church pulpit. Compared to other Baroque churches, the buttresses of Sta. Monica church is of regular thickness.

I am looking forward to explore the Sta. Monica church on one Saturday morning to satisfy my remaining curiosity about the church.

I am so happy to have EXPLORED and DISCOVERED a gem of Angat, Bulacan!

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Trekking Mt. Manalmon

Province of Bulacan

24 to 25 March 2012

Bianca invited me to hike Mt. Manalmon in Bulacan. Since my calendar was still open, I said, we will join if she is joining. Pinsan Mountaineers - Borz and Ravi were the organizers of the climb.

Mt. Manalmon is located in the town of San Miguel, province of Bulacan. it is part of the Biak-na-Bato National Park and the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. At an elevation of 196 MASL, many mountaineers consider Mt. Manalmon as a "Hill" rather than a "Mountain" like Pulag or Apo for instance. 

Monkey Bridge

The mountain may not be as towering as Mt. Pulag or Mt. Apo, but it is a hidden paradise that awaits to be enjoyed and explored by outdoor adventurers and explorers like us. Highlights at Mt. Manalmon trek include: Swimming at Madlum River, Spelunking at Madlum Cave, Diving, River Rafting, Crossing the Monkey Bridge and many more.

On car pool, we left Manila at around 5:45AM and drove north to Bulacan. Past 8AM we stopped at a wet market in San Miguel Bulacan to buy things that we will be needing for the trek including groceries for our meals.

Bianca and I thought that it will be a day hike. It was too late for us to retreat as we were in San Miguel Bulacan already when Borz informed us that it will be an overnight adventure. Earlier, I was thinking why were they in full trekking gears.

Luckily, Borz brought one extra tent so Bianca and I were both happy.

Trail

We arrived at Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul community past 9AM. We had our group registered and availed a guide. We rested for a while and prepared for Lunch. It was a feast for the eyes to see the majestic white rocks surrounding a nice greenish pool with clear waters.

Something that caught my attention was the monkey bridge made of metal wire cable tied on a rock on opposite banks of the river. I enjoyed watching adventurers crossed the river through the monkey bridge.

Madlum Cave

Just before lunch, there was a group of ATV enthusiasts who visited the place and had lunch. There were around 30 of them. We enjoyed posing on the ATVs and taking pictures.

Past 1PM, we started trekking Mt. Manalmon and passed through the Madlum Cave. From here we trekked down on massive rock formations then to an area that resembles a beach - with a river bank, sand and rocks.

Rockies

We were supposed to camp at the peak of Mt. Manalmon, but we decided to camp at the Madlum river bank instead so we can wash and take a bath. We reached the river at around 3PM and while we were pitching our tents, it started to rain. It was not a downpour but the rain was continuous.

Camp Site

After pitching our tents, we had socials and dinner at 7PM and it was still raining. The following day, Bianca and I woke up early. Everyone was still sleeping so we decided to scout the river.

We had breakfast past 7AM and then we trek to the summit of Mt. Manalmon. Few stayed at the camp site and waited for us. It took us 20 minutes to reach the summit and 15 minutes to go down the camp site.

Manalmon Summit

At 196 MASL, the view atop Mt. Manalmon is spectacular. Mt. Arayat can be seen very visible at the summit. The stretch of Madlum river is also spectacular. Opposite Mt. Manalmon is Mt. Gola.

We all headed back to the jump-off point at 10AM and just in time for lunch, we were at the jump-off point few minutes before 12PM. We left the place back to Manila past 1PM.

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