Traversing Pangasinan, La Union & Ilocos Sur
Holyweek Special: March 23-26, 2016
While the Holyweek is the most anticipated and sacred week
for the general Catholic practitioners, for us, this was also the best time
to renew our faith in a most adventurous way, Visita Iglesia across 3 provinces.
This journey was guided by this quote:
“Life is like a book,
If you do not travel, you read only one page” by St. Augustine,
an absolute
reminder written at the arc of the Bell Tower in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
1st Church: Our Lady of Manaoag Church, Dagupan
City, Pangasinan
Team CPN left Manila at 7:00 in the morning, crossing
through NLEX – SCTEX – TPLEX, we reached our first destination at 9:30, just in
time for the last morning mass.
The Our Lady of Manaoag is a Roman Catholic title of the
Blessed Virgin Mary venerated in Manaoag that sits in it’s centuries old and
idyllic location for 385 years. The
ivory image of the Lady of Manaoag enshrined in the high altar known to possess
miraculous powers. In fact, it becomes a
“panata” for most believers who have received responses to their prayers and wishes,
and they came back to express their gratitude to the Virgin Mary. It is very much the case for my parents who
frequented the Manaoag church yearly.
The celebration of the feast of the Holy Rosary in October
reaches the peak number of visitors from all over the Philippines.
Know more of the history of the Our Lady of Manaoag from its
official website: www.dolmanaoag.com
2nd Church: The Basilica of our Lady of Charity
at Agoo, La Union.
Agoo is the oldest town in La Union, founded in 1578 by
Franciscan Missionaries Father Juan Bautista Lucarelli and Father Sebastian de Baeza. The long venerated image of Our Lady of
Charity was canonically crowned by Apostolic Nuncio Salvatore Sinno on May 1,
1971 by rescript of Pope John Paul VI. The Marian Shrine was consecrated on December
8, 1978, it was later on elevated to the rank of Basilica Minore by Pope John
Paul II.
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| The Our Lady of Charity of Agoo church is actually
a reconstruction, since the first one was destroyed by 1982 earthquake. Its most striking features are the wooden
ceiling and old chandeliers.
|
3rd Church: St. John the Baptist Church, Caba, La Union
Day 2: March 24, 2016
A four hours drive further down North is the capital of
Ilocos Sur, Vigan City. Known to be the
preserved Spanish Colonial Town in Asia.
4th
Church: The Vigan Cathedral church in Vigan City
The Cathedral is always worth visiting. It is canonically known as the Metropolitan
Church of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. It is also a part of the
UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church
is predominantly an Earthquake Boroque style with large buttresses on its
side. It also has Neo-Gothic, Romanesque
and Chinese inspired embellishments. A 25
meters bell tower is located outside the cathedral with a weather rooster on
top, which symbolizes Saint Peter. The
only remaining Archbishop’s Palace in the Philippines is located in Vigan,
besides the Cathedral, the palace was built during the Spanish
Colonization. The church contains
remains of former bishops of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia.
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| The Washing of Feet is a religious rite observed during the mass on Holy Thursday. |
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| The facade of the Vigan Cathedral. |
5th
Church: Shrine of Our Lady of Charity – Saint Augustine Parish Church, Bantay,
Ilocos Sur
The St. Augustine Parish Church was built in 1590 and
considered as one of the oldest churches of Ilocos Sur. It was named after the patron saint, Saint
Augustine. The site of the church has the scene of fighting during the uprising
led by Diego Silang in 1763.
On January 12, 1956, the church became a shrine of Our Lady of Charity, when the miraculous image of the Lady was crowned as the Patrones of Ilocandia.
On January 12, 1956, the church became a shrine of Our Lady of Charity, when the miraculous image of the Lady was crowned as the Patrones of Ilocandia.
 |
| The one seen today is a reconstruction after it was damaged during the World War II. The restored façade has neo-gothic design mixed with Pseudo-Romanesque elements. |
The bell tower
A few meters up the hillside of the church is the old hiltoric belfry, known as the Bantay Tower, which was originally served as a watchtower during the Spanish colonial era, that's where the town got its name - Bantay (to guard).
A few meters up the hillside of the church is the old hiltoric belfry, known as the Bantay Tower, which was originally served as a watchtower during the Spanish colonial era, that's where the town got its name - Bantay (to guard).
6th Church: St. John De Sahagun Parish, Candon, Ilocos Sur.
The church is by far my most favorite church, as it
features an artistic ceiling painted with religious artifacts, roman battle, a
colorful depiction of the last suffer and the way of the cross. The church was
established in 1591, followed by the building of its structure in 1695. It was
rebuilt in 1709-1713, after it was damaged by an earthquake.
7th Church: Sta.Lucia Parish Church, Sta. lucia, Ilocos Sur.
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Side Trips:
San Juan,
La Union
To balance out the long driving session, we spent the night
at the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, San Juan, La Union. Yeiy!!! This
would be my 3rd visit in the area, 4th if I include the
quick lunch at Kahuna Beach Resort in 2013.
With its impressive surge of waves fit for beginners and professional
surfers, long stretch of fine sand, beautiful unadulterated spot for sunset,
party mood dinner set up and resorts, inn & hotel that offers low-end to
high-end accommodations, San Juan captivated me in such a thrilling and
ecstatic ways.
We arrived just few hours before the sunset, we immediately kicked in the water and indulged the pressure of the waves, rolled out on the sand and waited for the marvelous show of sunset, capped the day with a quick dinner celebration for Ate Liza’s –th birthday.
We arrived just few hours before the sunset, we immediately kicked in the water and indulged the pressure of the waves, rolled out on the sand and waited for the marvelous show of sunset, capped the day with a quick dinner celebration for Ate Liza’s –th birthday.
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| Birthday dinner for Ate Liza. |
Quick breath at Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Walking along Calle Crisologo is a step back into the past,
experience an air of golden time of our colonial history by walking along an
old cobblestone and Hispanic style hotels and stores, the place showcases the
passion of the best European aesthetic.
It was my 3rd visit but I can’t get enough of the feeling of
being in the past.
Must try food:
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| Empanada best dipped in sukang iloco. |
Itinerary
Day 1
7:00AM Depart
Manila
9:30AM Arrival
at Dagupan City, Pangasinan
1:00PM From
Manaoag to Churches in Agaoo, La Union
3:30PM San
Juan, La Union
Overnight at Hacienda Peter’s Surf Resort
Day 2
9:00AM Depart
San Juan, La Union
1:00PM Arrived
at Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
5:00PM Attended
mass at Vigan Cathedral Church
Overnight at Cordillera Family Inn
Day 3
5:00AM Photo
Op at Calle Crisologo
9:00AM Departure
from Vigan City
3:30PM Arrival
at Manila
Accommodation:
As it was the most
planned and unplanned trip, we didn’t book for accommodation, so we just kicked
in and luckily found hotels that could accommodate six persons.
San Juan, La Union
Hacienda Peter’s Surf Resort, located at the center of surf
camp area.
Telephone Number: 072-888-5253
Mobile Number: 0918-441-5475
Cordillera Family Inn
Florentino St., Plaza Burgos, Vigan City
Telephone number: 077-722-2272
Mobile number: 0915-7053002
Website: www.cordillerafamilyinn.com
E-mail Address: cordillerainn_vigancity@yahoo.com.ph
Other recommended hotels:
Cordillera Inn Hotel & Restaurant
#29 Mena Crisologo St., Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Telephone Number: 077-7222727
Mobile Number: 0927-3135616
E-mail Address: cordillerainn_vigancity@yahoo.com.ph
Hotel Veneto de Vigan
Bonifacio St., Vigan City, Ilocos Sur (In front of Post
Office)
Telephone Number: 077-6740938
Mobile Number: 0917-5871965/0998-5554421
Room Rates:
Standard Room 2,800.00
Superior Room 3,000.00
De Luxe Room 4,900.00
Family Room 6,900.00/7,500.00
Dormitory Rooms
Common CR 650.00/each
Private CR 850.00/each
West Loch Park Hotel
Gen. Luna St., Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Telephone Number: 077-6049032
Mobile Number: 0977-8151237
E-mail Number: westlochparkhotelvigan@yahoo.com
Room rates:
Standard 3,190.00
Superior 3,700.00
Penthouse 4,300.00
Deluxe Room 5,650.00
Ciudad Fernandina Hotel
#26 Mabini cor Plaridel Sts., Vigan City
Telephone Number: 077-7223765 / 644-0005
Website: www.ciudadfernandinavigan.com.ph
E-mail address: cfhvigan@yahoo.com.ph
Room rates:
Standard 2,795.00
Superior 3,295.00
Deluxe 4,295.00
Junior Suite 4,995.00
Deluxe Suite 5,995.00
Honeymoon Suite 6,995.00
Executive Suite 6,995.00
Dormitory 6,995.00
Family Suite 9,290.00
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