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. 

Pagsanjan

If you have been reading my previous blogs, this one is somehow connected with Lumban. Pagsanjan is a barrio of Lumban, but due to uprisings of the people living in barrio Pagsanjan, a gubenatorial decree was released for Pagsanjan to become a town. 

Pagsanjan is a small town, and a second class municipality. The town also served as the second capital of the province of Laguna before it was transferred to Santa Cruz.

One will easily distinguish that you are in the center of the town,once you passed by the iconic and historical Pagsanjan three way arch. Legends say that the reason why the arch was built there is because the patroness of the town; Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in the site where the arch was erected, according to the story, a man saw a beautiful woman on a cold night, holding a sword and warding of tulisans in invading the town, the lady then drew a straight line and ordered them not to dare loot the town. The man then reported this to the mayor of the town and they really saw a straight line on where the lady appeared, that is one of the reasons why the arch was erected there. The road where the arch was erected is now known as "Calle Arco".

Pagsanjan Arch/ Calle Arco

Pagsanjan is known as the tourist capital of Laguna because of the famous Pagsanjan falls. If we are talking about geography, the said falls is really not located in Pagsanjan, it is located in Cavinti, Laguna. It was called Pagsanjan falls because a native from Pagsanjan is the one who found it. Until now, even if pacts were made, it still remains a big issue for both towns, I don't want to dwell in this issue, moving on, the fare towards the falls is divided into three towns, namely, Pagsanjan, Cavinti, and Lumban, this somehow explains why the fare is very expensive.

I haven't been to the falls, so I just gave a background about it, so just you wanna know.

Pagsanjan Church taken last December 12, 2015

The town is the home of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The church of Pagsanjan is one of the most beautiful churches during the Spanish era, built in the year 1690 made of adobe stones. But the church was destroyed due to carpet bombings during World War II.

The church was declared a diocesan shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe last 2013.


The church is home for two iconic images of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The second class tilma which also came from Mexico.

The altar image made by Maximo Vicente

The two images wherein one is installed at the altar is the one made by Maximo Vicente a famous sculptor. While the processional image is the one that came from Mexico together with it is a "tilma" which is displayed at the side chapel of the church.

The processional image which came from Mexico
The image is episcopally crowned.

Aside from the church if, you are looking for a place to eat, you may stroll along restaurants that is situated at Calle Arco. This fact saddens me, because they turned almost all the heritage  houses located at the main street into a restaurant.

The restaurant you should try the food are Calle Arco, which was featured for many times in newspapers and televisions. You may also try eating in Balai Ilocos as well and Emin and Mila's. If you are looking for a refreshing dessert you must try eating the famed Halo- halo of Aling Taleng's which is definitely good and is affordable as well.

Here are the images for the Calle Arco:

Garlic rice and Pancit canton (4.5/5)
Pancit Canton- 160 pesos
Garlic rice- 130 pesos

Sizzling porkchop with white sauce (4.5/5)
Sizzling porkchop- 270 pesos

Fixture in one of the walls of Calle Arco

Aling Taleng's Halo- halo (5/5)
As far as I can recall it is 75 pesos.

To get to Pagsanjan, ride a bus going to Sta. Cruz, then ride a jeep with a signage of Pagsanjan the jeepney fare is 10 pesos.

If you want to experience shooting the rapids, better go to Pagsanjan central boat terminal located near the church, or go to resorts located along Pagsanjan river, the fare going to the falls is 1,250 per person if I remember it correctly.

Additional photos:

Stone relic of Our Lady of Guadalupe 

The church's altar during the town fiesta of Dec. 12, 2015

Pagsanjan is a small town, I think if not for the falls, the town may not be rising economically, they also have the Bangkero festival which is always held every month of March.

All photos used are mine.