Paete: Ang bayang Masining

Here’s another town that is famous in Laguna, it is known for making fine wood crafts and beautiful craftsmanship. The town of “Paete”, which is normally pronounced by us southerners, those living near the said town as “payte”, but it is pronounced as “Pa-e- te”, for it to have a meaning, because it is derive from “Paet”, wherein it means the act of carving, “nag pa paet”.

Paete town as viewed at the Tatlong Krus viewing deck

Since they are famous for wood carving, they have a festival in line with it, the Paet- taka festival which is held in September if I’m not mistaken.

What’s good with Paete?

Paete is one bus away from Manila and a jeepney ride from Santa Cruz.

It is relatively a small town, and could tour the whole town less than a day. Let me start with the church, it is dedicated to Saint James the Great Apostle, but before that, the town’s patron is Saint Christopher.

There are two paintings of this saint located near the entrance, an original version of it, which depicts Saint Christopher with Jesus in a coconut tree, and the other one is the Filipino version, which shows Saint Christopher crossing the river together with Jesus sitting at his shoulder, (photos of the painting were taken from google).

Paete Church (credits to: google)

For the times I’ve been to Paete church, for me it still looks like the other churches that was built during the Spanish era, but what makes it different is the eerie feeling that I feel, because according to history, the church served as a dungeon for HUKBALAHAPS during the Japanese occupation, it is where countless executions were done, that explains the different aura of the church, nevertheless, it the church could bring you back to time.

The town follows thew Spanish grid system wherein the town hall, plaza and the church is at the center of the poblacion.

As for the paintings of Saint Christopher, the townspeople covered it with something, in order for it not to be destroyed by the Japanese.

The church is relatively small, but it could house a lot of carrozas during Holy week because of their tradition of having an exit at the main portal of the church, before proceeding procession.

The altar mayor of Paete Church, this was taken last Holy Thursday 2016, as you can see it is a tradition among churches to cover the images in their altar with violet cloth to signify their sorrow. Located in the center niche of the altar mayor is San Santiago Mayor Apostol, the image is being clothed with embroidered vestments, sorry if I do not have picture of their patron saint.

He is somehow not depicted riding a horse, instead he is holding a stick and a bible.

As for other tourists spots, one can hike Mount Humarap. The mountain is also famous for another name, which is Tatlong Krus. Well, this site will once again be flocked by pilgrims to have some penitence for the upcoming Holy week.

Tatlong Krus ng Paete

To start with, Tatlong Krus, is a long hike, it is not that steep because of the staircases that were put up, for pilgrims to have easier access up to the mountain, but it surely will make you tired. It’s a long hike, but you can stop once in a while.

Here are the photos on our way up, at the peak of the mountain, and going down from the mountain:

Highschool barkada 

Well, once you reach the peak, you will be able to see the small town of Paete, and you may somehow imagine, that the town may be small but it is rich with culture. Despite the issues it faced in the past regarding illegal logging for their wood carvings.

Pictures of us on the way down. 

You will also cross a stream wherein you will walk over bamboo stalks, this stream is part of the Talon Falls somewhere at the middle part of the mountain.

What makes me sad is that their religion isn’t only one, the town is also influenced by the religion Aglipay. Nevethless, both dominant relgion promotes faith to God. 

One may also eat at Femma's pizza house, their famous food is pizza- spaghetti, or explore the small town itself, I suggest that you go visit the town during holy week.

photos used are all mine, except for the picture of the Saint Christopher painting, and the facade of Paete church.

Anilag 2017

In the province of Laguna, there is a festival that is being held annually in order for the different municipalities and cities of the province to participate and to have camaraderie between them.

This festival started under the administration of former Governor Joey Lina, then it is continued by Ning Ning Lazaro, but the festival’s name was changed under the administration of Governor E. R. Ejercito wherein the festival was called “La Laguna”. Later on, after E. R. was ousted the name of the said festival was retained to Anilag.

Anilag, was coined from this words, “Ani Ng Laguna”. The word ‘Ani’, as I believe is the harvest, wherein the different towns in the province could showcase their “harvest” or products that they specializes.

ANILAG marker at the festival grounds

Before proceeding to the Anilag Festival of Laguna, let me discuss with you first a little bit of Santa Cruz. Well, Santa Cruz, is typically a small town, but, what makes it look big is because the town proper is already crowded with houses and has many roads leading to other places in the town.

Rizal monument at the town center

Santa Cruz, was once a barrio of Lumban, and after a few years, it got the chance to be separated and established their own parish in the year 1608. The parish was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and is probably one of the most renovated church in the province in terms of facade and interior changes.

Immaculate Conception Church

Santa Cruz, is a one bus ride away from Manila, there’s nothing much about Santa Cruz, there are only few tourists spots to name of, such as the burial site of the first governor of the province, burial site of Emilio Jacinto, some old houses and the Immaculate Conception Church itself, nevertheless, it serves as the capitol of the province, you may also visit the provincial capitol if you want to.

The Anilag festival this year was held last March 6, 2017 up to March 11, wherein there are different culminating events that happens every night. But I will not dwell on those. Since there is no time for to go on days wherein important and beautiful events took place, I got the chance to go to the festival last March 9, and somehow covered the event, wherein I took photos and videos as well.

To start with, the winner of the trade fair exhibit was the Siniloan booth, wherein it was the champion in the said competition, as for the street dancing competition the one who won was the Lumban street dance.

Siniloan booth

Since I am not aware of the happenings, here are other details that I knew of, the event started with a fluvial heritage procession, wherein the images of the patron of the diocese of San Pablo, Saint Paul the first Hermit and the image of Our Lady of Turumba, the secondary patron of the Diocese of San Pablo, met at the Santa Cruz bridge and a procession was held all the way to the capitol wherein a mass was also held as an official opening of the said festival.

Saint Paul the First Hermit

Our Lady of Turumba

The two images was placed inside the capitol for public veneration all throughout the festival days.

Here, would be the images of some booths:

Liliw booth

Calauan booth

Paete booth

Lumban booth

Santa Maria booth

In regards to Lumban (probably I'm being bias), here are other photos;

Lumban logo

a gown made by a Lumbeno

Lumban gowns inside the booth

                           

Here, is a little background of the Provincial Capitol Building, the building itself follows a neo- classical architectural structure and was built before the year 1900’s, the building was restored to its former glory under the administration of Governor E. R. A fountain was also put up at the Time plaza, and busts of former governor of the province was also displayed at the Time Plaza of the capitol.

Provincial Capitol building

                                                       

Juan Cailles, first governor of Laguna

Time fountain

                                            

Well, this blog of mine about Santa Cruz is the juiciest that I can squeeze, sorry for limited information but this is what I know off the town aside from the old style McDonalds that still has a playground. It’s still not a bad place to visit, but it’s still worth a try especially during the time of Anilag festival, till next year!

Photos used are all mine, shot using Nikon D5300.

The church at the top of the hill

Going back to my blog’s main theme which is travelling with a touch of history, I will now focus on the source of history of almost all the places here in the Philippines.

Welcome arch of Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

It is very common among the churches in the province of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, that their belfry is situated apart from the main church itself. So far the farthest distance that a belfry is situated far from the church is the sinking bell tower of Laoag.

The 86- stairway steps

This church located in the province of Ilocos Sur, is one of the UNESCO World Heritage List of churches here in our country.

Santa Maria Church's facade

The church of Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, is one of the four baroque churches here in the Philippines, together with the San Agustin church of Intramuros, Manila, Paoay Church of Ilocos Norte, Miag- ao Church of Iloilo.












Baroque style churches were considered special because there are only a few churches here in our country that was designed in that style. Baroque styles among churches are also considered as earthquake baroque.

What makes the church different from the other churches is that this one is situated atop a hill. One can also see how the locals preserved the Spanish vibe of the church.

Before Santa Maria church became a parish it served as a chapel for the church of Narvacan, it was built in the year 1769. The church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Assumption.

A mural on the first buttress, that can be seen once
 you reach the top. The mural is based on how the locals,
saw their patron perched on a branch of a guava tree.

The locals call their patron as “Apo Baket”, and believed to be miraculous. Locals say that they often saw the Virgin perched on one of the branches of a guava tree. This guava tree is situated atop the hill where the church is presently located.







The image face and hands, are made of ivory, and is always wearing embroidered vestments.

Buttresses that supports the church

As for the church’s structure, the facade is very simple, composed of bricks and window, there are no detailed designs and intricate carvings. To support the church’s structure, big buttresses were attached to the walls of the church.

The pagoda- like structure
 of the church's belfry

The belfry situated distant from the church, was built when the church was renovated in the year 1810, due to constant renovation, the currently imposing structure of the belfry somehow caused it to lean gradually. Attached on the belfry was a big clock, the design for the bell tower is simple as well, yet it follows the motif of the church itself. One must climb an 85- step stairway to reach the church.

To top it all, the church is simple and beautiful when it comes to how it represents the culture of the Philippines. For me, this church is the one that still have the Spanish vibe, from the facade, nave and altar.

Altar of Santa Maria church

Retablo Mayor of Santa Maria church
A "pahalikan" is situated at the back of the altar
(look at the back drop of the niche of Our Lady of Assumption)

Church's pulpit

The church's nave

The location of the church is also suitable for their patron, which is Our Lady of Assumption, because, it is located atop a hill overlooking the town, as if saying that the Virgin Mary is the one protecting the town.

view from the side of the church

So, I mainly explained the church of Santa Maria, as for other details about the town, the other tourists destinations are Pinsal falls, and beaches that are located among coastal barangays. You may also want to walk on the old Spanish bridge located in town (which I got to have the chance to walk on to, but didn’t got to take picture of it). It is built of orange bricks, and can support ten wheeler trucks and buses. As for food, the province of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, is famous for empanada, there are food stalls located at the foot of the hill wherein you can go eat and taste some of the town’s delicacies.

They say it is a pathway that connects the convent
to the church, but I don't see any portal at the upper
part of the church.
Well, this is one of its unique features. 

Well, I’m sorry for focusing too much on the church, because it really caught my attention on how beautiful it is, and it really deserves to be in the UNESCO World Heritage List, plus it is a Marian church.

Photos used are all mine.