The Bell Tower of Bantay Ilocos Sur

The Bantay Bell Tower of Ilocos Sur.

A Belfry built in 1591 – Ilocos Sur is home of old Spanish Colonial architectures that survived through time. These structures exhibit traces of our Spanish Era ancestry centuries ago. The Philippines is a Christian country with Roman Catholicism as the most dominant faith. A lot of edifices in the country include churches boasting beautiful designs with rich stories about the past. One of the province of Ilocos Sur is the Bantay Church located at Manila-North Road, Zone 5, Bantay, Ilocos Sur. It is also known as Saint Augustine Parish Church of Bantay with Nuestra Senyora de la Caridad ( Our Lady of Charity ) as its patron. The statue of the Blessed Virgin is said to perform miracles so as answered prayers. Standing with its handsome sturdy gothic look that was damaged by wars then restored, it has been a witness to many important events in our history.

When the country was still a colony of Spain, this steeple served as a watch tower to monitor pirates. It is also a defence structure against the enemies that the place got its name “Bantay” that means guard. Still erect with all its glory, the tower also survived World War II. It was then restored in the 1950s.

Our Lady of Charity Church of Bantay Ilocos Sur.

Pilgrimage Site.

Photo-op Bench at the Entrance.

A reminder to pray.

Climbing the stairs feels like you are traveling way back in time. Then we climbed the narrow stairway surrounded by bright orange brick walls. I can imagine our forefathers building the tower long ago thinking how intricate the process had been. The large bell is a huge metal which is almost my size. If only that bell could talk, it has been a witness to so many battles, rang thousands of masses from the Spanish Era to the present.

Going up. Look at those bright orange bricks.

The Bell.

Me with one of the bells in one of the windows.

A view from the top.

Going Down.

The view at the top is breath taking. Endearing fresh wind blows overlooking small houses, trees and structures. You can see the province of Abra as well as the western seas.

You can visit the Bantay Bell Tower between 6AM to 6PM. In the entrance, there is a donation box for the church and tower maintenance, you can give any amount you want. Photo-ops are better taken in the bench located near the entrance, beside the bell and in the windows.

A visit to Bell Tower: Achieved!

Overall, the Bell Tower experience is one of a kind. It was also memorable for me because it was my first time to actually climb and go atop seeing it only in movies and pictures. I also get to see a real church bell up close, touched it and look though the beautiful province of Ilocos Sur at the top.

Special Thanks to my friend Karen Feaster some of the pictures, for taking my pictures and touring me around.

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Sagada's Sumaguing Cave: Explore and Experience

View from the bottom to the starting entrance. Adventurers are like fairies in their lamps.

The Philippines is a very rich country in terms of natural resources and breath taking wonders of nature. As time goes by, unfound wonders were revealed to give pride that our native land is home of Mother Nature’s precious gifts. As the Underground River became one of the new seven wonders of nature, tourists from all over the world had their eyes not just in Palawan but other wonders as well. If you loved the Underground River then you should visit up north to experience Sagada’s Sumaguing Cave. This adventure may require some efforts but the feeling of touring inside will give you a very satisfying and unforgettable experience.

Heading on.

Where is Sumaguing Cave?

The Sumaguing Cave is found in South Road, Sagada, 2619, Mountain Province. If on an arranged tour, your tour guide will guide you on a walk or usually ride a vehicle on the way. On our backpacking, our tour guide organized the ride so we headed there through a van. Make sure your tour guide is experienced, more importantly registered so you will have no worries on the trip. You have to head on to the town’s tourism office in their municipal hall to register. The cave is open between 9AM to 5PM. There were travel tours that are pre-arranged with inclusion of these fees in their packages.

Down Below.

Kuya Tour Guide preparing his important lamp. There is my friend's bottled water too.

Me before the caving. The look of anxiety? That was kuya Tour Guide's red cap that he lent me.

What to prepare before the caving?

1.       YOUR SELF: Exploring a cave is an adventure with dangerous risks. This means that you have to prepare yourself mentally and physically. Make sure your physique is ready for climbing and going down on large slippery rocks. Mental alertness is also required to focus on the spelunking or you might get lost or face serious injuries inside. Always follow the instructions of your tour guides.

2.       IDEAL OUTFIT: Wear comfortable shirts with bottoms that is stretchable for the climbing as well as crawling. In my case, my tour guide noticed that my hair is untied, I have no ponytail that time (yeah, so lousy!), so in his kindness, he let me borrow his red cap. I wonder what might happen because as manong warned, my hair would block my eyes in the middle of caving and made me prone to very serious dangers. Do bring slippers made of hard but strong material that provides more friction for wet surfaces due to flowing waters and bat wastes. As much as possible do not bring your precious belongings for you might not be able to find them when they were lost. For gadgets, use an action camera that could be strapped on your body so your hands will not be occupied while exploring.

3.       REGISTRATION AND TOURISM FEES: Sumaguing Cave is a natural wonder. This means that it also needs maintenance and adequate care. If you are on a backpacking trip, you must first head on to their municipal office as I said earlier to pay the registration and environment fee of more or less 35PHP.

4.       YOUR GROUP: It is better to explore the cave by group since there are a lot of actions with physical efforts. Much better to have friends or relatives to back you up. Guided by a registered tour guide, be sure to end the journey with a complete head count.

Sumaguing's Visitors.

The elephant. (Not sure of its name though, I forgot what manong said but it sure looks like one.)

Happy Birthday Cake!

Kuya Tour Guide helping me go down those slippery wet rocks.

Me being amazed of the fossils. This was my first time to feel one.

Tired but happy!

Our feet in cold crystal flowing water.

Cave Portrait.

What to expect?

Spelunking in the Sumaguing Cave may require much preparedness with extra care but in the end it really is very fulfilling. So many wonderful things could be found inside that you haven’t seen in your life especially for the first timers. Those very beautiful rock formations will put you in so much amazement of how very powerful God and Mother Nature formed them through time. Small water pools and beds were flowing all over.

My friend Edith on a rappel going up.

We came, we saw and we conquered!

Post caving picture.

What I felt after caving?

This experience is one of the most unforgettable adventures in my life. I feel so proud that I endured the challenge of getting through those rock formations with little anxiety. Nothing could beat nature. It is also my first time to see fossils which I believe were millions of years in the making. My gratitude is to our very accommodating tour guide for keeping us safe since we were all girls. If you are not faint hearted with a desire for challenge yet fulfilling adventure, I would recommend visiting this Nature’s treasure someday.

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The Magnificent Calle Crisologo of Vigan City at Night

The Philippines is a very rich country in terms of natural wonders and cultural sites. Named as one of the New Seven Wonder Cities of the world, Vigan City gives us Filipinos pride with its rich cultures and gateways to our history. One of the most famous is its endearing Calle Crisologo.

A district well known for its Spanish style houses that are still standing throughout time, it is a mirror of what Vigan City way back as a major trade place in the North during and before the Spanish Colonial Era.

Calle Crisologo in Vigan City is where we will find Spanish Colonial type houses. 

Long ago, Filipinos in the northern part of the Philippines trade products, mainly from Chinese traders in the island surrounded by rivers. When the Spaniards came, the city became more financially flourished because of the Manila Acapulco trade. No wonder why the houses on the street were elegant and sturdy as what we were appreciating today. Built with strong bricks on the roof and high quality woods and classy architecture, those houses are indeed the treasures that connect us to the past.

Filipinos have been taking care and restoring these treasured heritage buildings.

Every corner will give you feels of the remnants of what wasVigan City like centuries ago.

Walking at this street feels like being transported in the past.

This is my favorite shot. The image of the lamp with its yellow glowing light gives such a surreal feeling.

Bright Lights.

Black and White.

My first time in Vigan City started on night time. A friend who happens to live nearby served as my guide in exploring the gem of the north. Seeing those houses with bright yellow wonderful lamp lights and posts gave me amazement, that surreal feeling that once upon a time, our forefathers used to live and trade in that area. As a history junkie myself, I cannot help but to picture in my mind that I was transported by a time machine to the time we were still a colony of Spain, when life is still simple.

This is where ladies in terno used to stare way back or maybe still are, who knows?

Those times when Roman Catholicism ruled and shaped the only Christian country in Southeast Asia back then.

Woods. Lots of woods.

Some houses were transformed into inns, souvenir shops, museums, restaurants and cafes. They give a lot of historical feels unlike modern establishments in other cities.

Horses souvenirs.

Souvenirs can be bought from Shirts to bags and key chains.

This wooden figurines would make a good additions to your collections and home decors.

Want some antiques?

Look at those bricks!

My shots were taken mostly at night time because we were so busy buying souvenirs strolling at daytime. The place is perfectly romantic at night with all the lights synchronising with darkness and serenity although there were active cafes and restaurants all over. Daytime is the best time to take portrait pictures because the houses were in real full colors. Shopping goodies, souvenir items like printed shirts, key chains, riding a kalesa and buying food specialties like Bagnets, kakanins and sweets is a must do at day.

Selfie with the horsey!

The wooden door.

The feels.

with Karen, Kath and Ralph.

My amiga Karen who had served as my tour guide. Their family's home had been my staycation. What a good and kindhearted family.

My friend pretty friend Krystine.

with a Kalesa.

For Filipinos and tourists, this heritage site is an interesting place to add on your travel bucket list. Not only will you learn more about culture but also experience and feel what living in our country had been like centuries ago.

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