Our first stop, the St. Augustine Church of Bantay & Bell tower. St Augustine church is one of the oldest churches of Ilocos Sur built in 1590.The Augustinian friars named it after St. Augustine, the Patron Saint. The church was damaged during the World War II but was reconstructed in 1950. The bell tower sits on a hilltop (atop the Calvario Hill) overlooking a pastureland and the mountain view of the Province of Abra. It was used as a watchtower for invading enemy forces during World Wars I and II. Evidently, the Bantay Church and bell tower are the monumental witnesses to various atrocities, uprisings and staged revolts.
St. Augustine Church of Bantay, Ilocos Sur
Bell Tower Bantay, Ilocos Sur
Desert? Yes, you can find it in Ilocos Norte which stretches in the shores of South China Sea. The Desert of the North as some may call it have attracted some local and international movie industries to shoot their film here. The likes of Nora Aunor's "Himala" and Fenando Poe Jr's "Panday". And for international movies of Mel Gibson's "Mad Max" and Tom Cruise's "Born on the Fourth of July".
La Paz Sand DunesNext destination, walking Tour at Ilocos Norte Capitol, Laoag (Sinking Bell Tower), St. William's Cathedral, Tobacco and Monopoly Monument. Our bus drop us beside Ilocos Norte Capitol (Ilocos Norte Capital) which in Laoag. "Laoag" (Ilocano for "the place of light or clarity"), is an old, flourishing settlement known to Chinese and Japanese traders when the Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo arrived at the northern banks of Padsan River in 1572.
Ilocos Norte Capitol
Pamulinawen at Aurora Park
First we headed to Aurora Park. It is located south of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol and at the center is where the statue of the maiden Pamulinawen is strategically placed atop the fountain. If you remember way back in grade school history Pamulinawen is a popular Ilokano song. At the fountain you could see a young woman holding a basket which is believe to be Pamulinawen. During the month of February 04-10 Laoag City celebrate the Pamulinawen Festival. Straight ahead is where the Tobacco Monopoly Monument stands.
When the Spaniards discovered that the land and climate of Ilocos is perfect for growing tobacco, they forced the people to plant only tobacco and no other crop. The sakadas were also forced to sell the tobacco leaves only to the Spanish government. This has lead to numerous resistance among the locals. There were also stories of untold abuses done by the authorities. For one hundred long years, 1781 until 1881, the tobacco monopoly existed in Ilocos. A period of dark history in Ilocandia.
It was only in 1881 when King Alfonso XII lifted the tobacco monopoly. The people of Ilocos then erected the Tobacco Monopoly Momunent as a thanksgiving to the Crown of Spain for recognizing the stuggles of the Ilocano people against the Monopoly. Until now, Tobacco remain a major crop of Ilocos Norte.
To the left across the street, is the Sinking Bell Tower. It is an old 45-meter tall bell tower built by the Augustinian Friars in 1612 and is one of the tallest and most massive in the country. It is called the "Sinking Bell Tower" as it sinks about an inch each year, because of its weight and and its foundation.
Tales by old people mention that a person on horseback once could enter its vaulted entrance without stooping. Now, a person of ordinary height has to stoop to enter thru the tower door, because the tower has sunk considerably and evenly, thus its reputation as "The Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag".
St. William's Cathedral
We headed back to Aurora Park to wait for our bus for our next destination.
Ilocos Norte Capitol
Pamulinawen at Aurora Park
When the Spaniards discovered that the land and climate of Ilocos is perfect for growing tobacco, they forced the people to plant only tobacco and no other crop. The sakadas were also forced to sell the tobacco leaves only to the Spanish government. This has lead to numerous resistance among the locals. There were also stories of untold abuses done by the authorities. For one hundred long years, 1781 until 1881, the tobacco monopoly existed in Ilocos. A period of dark history in Ilocandia.
It was only in 1881 when King Alfonso XII lifted the tobacco monopoly. The people of Ilocos then erected the Tobacco Monopoly Momunent as a thanksgiving to the Crown of Spain for recognizing the stuggles of the Ilocano people against the Monopoly. Until now, Tobacco remain a major crop of Ilocos Norte.
To the left across the street, is the Sinking Bell Tower. It is an old 45-meter tall bell tower built by the Augustinian Friars in 1612 and is one of the tallest and most massive in the country. It is called the "Sinking Bell Tower" as it sinks about an inch each year, because of its weight and and its foundation.
Tales by old people mention that a person on horseback once could enter its vaulted entrance without stooping. Now, a person of ordinary height has to stoop to enter thru the tower door, because the tower has sunk considerably and evenly, thus its reputation as "The Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag".
St. William's CathedralClose ahead, we could already see the St. William's Cathedral. Famous Church in Laoag, Ilocos Norte Philippines St. William's Cathedral is older than Paoay Church and even older than the Missions of California. Located in Laoag City, the church is famous for its Italian Renaissance design as well as its Sinking Bell Tower, which 85 meters away from the church. The top of the facade holds a recessed niche that showcases the image of the city's patron saint, San Guillermo (St. William). It has windows made from capiz with wrought iron screens. St. William's Cathedral was built by the Augustinian friars to support the growing Christian population in Ylaua. Ylaua (which literally means "light" or "brightness") was the first name of Laoag City, which served as a mission detachment of Vigan during the Spanish era. It was in 1612 that the foundations of the present church of Italian Renaissance were made replacing the former wooden chapel. The church was damaged by hurricane in 1640, by earthquake in 1706, by fire in 1843. The church was restored in 1880.
We headed back to Aurora Park to wait for our bus for our next destination.
2 comments:
bakit hindi mo ako pinagdala ng laaz batchoy? hahah
laaz batchoy? di ba sa iloilo yon?hnzjd
Post a Comment