Tuguegarao City: the hottest place but a religious site in the Philippines

Tuguegarao City: the hottest place but a religious site in the Philippines

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, it is famous for being the  hottest place in the Philippines but when you visit the place, you will discover that it is also one of the most religious with the presence of the big churches where people can go to worship.

As a participant of the event of   National Commission for the Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Information Agency, the Eco-cultural Heritage Caravan Seminar with Onsite Immersion NCCA-PIA Culture & Arts Promotion in Luzon April 25-30, 2017. I was able to visit 3 churches of Tuguegarao City.

St. Peter Cathedral The Saint Peter Metropolitan Cathedral, tagged as the Tuguegarao Cathedral, is located along Rizal Street, Centro 10, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines. It is an 18th century Baroque church, was originally built by Dominican friars, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, and considered as one of the largest churches in the Cagayan Valley. A historical marker of the history of the church was installed in 1982 by the National Historical Institute.

It was founded as a mission on May 9, 1604 by Dominican friars. Father Tomas Villa was assigned as its first vicar. Father Villa erected a temporary parochial structure made of light materials with Saint Peter and Saint Paul as patron saints. The current church is attributed to Father Antonio Lobato, OP who initiated the construction in 1761 and was completed in 1768.The reason why it is called "Cathedral" is because of the chair of the Archbishop. The church sustained heavy damage during World War II and was subsequently rebuilt by Monsignor Bishop Constance Jurgens. The cathedral’s façade is described as whimsical and playful. Most notable of all its features is the broken and crested pediment that is mirrored in other churches in the Cagayan Valley namely, the churches of  Dupax del Sur and Bambang and Saint Dominic’s Cathedral in Nueva Vizcaya. Archival photos of the Calasiao Church in Pangasinan also showed that it once had the “Cagayan-style” pediment. Other notable architectural features of the church are consistently repeated on many of its parts and on the Ermita de San Jacinto, a Spanish-era brick chapel located on the opposite site of the Tuguegarao city proper.

The cathedral have a wide yard where images of saints are displayed and the gym on the side of the cathedral is used for their activities. The cathedral is now a fusion of old and modern architecture but still stand as a testament of faith of the people of Tugegarao.

Ermita De San Jacinto St. Hyacinth Church (San Jacinto Church) or the Ermita de Piedra de San Jacinto (Stone Chapel of San Jacinto) is an elevated historic chapel established in 1604, 100 years older than the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. American soldiers during the Philippine-American War used it as headquarters in 1899. St. Hyacinth is the patron Saint of the city whose feast is celebrated every August 15 coinciding with the Pav-vurulun Festival.

The oldest brick structure in the city is the first parochial building built by the Dominican fathers in Tuguegarao. The current structure is the latest in a process of rebuilding beginning in 1724, in 1892 after it was destroyed by an earthquake and reconstruction after the World War II. The chapel was not heavily damaged during the war and as a result retains its original wooden retablo which dates back to the 18th century.

The elevated church is quite a great idea since it may be a small church but the architecture is quite a great one since it looks huge than its actual size.

Our Lady of Chartres Chapel The Our Lady of the Chartres Chapel (OLCC) is the University Chapel of St. Paul University Philippines. It is a replica of the Cathedral of the Diocese Chartres in France. It can be found just across the Ermita de Piedra de San Jacinto.

It was built through the initiative of Sr. Remy Angela Junio, SPC, the then University President. It was consecrated on February 2, 2011 by Msgr. Diosdado Talamayan, DD, the Archbishop Emiritus of Tuguegarao.

The relic of the St. Teresa de Avila was enthroned by Msgr. Giuseppe Pinto, DD, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines on December 8, 2011. Located at the heart of the SPUP campus, the OLCC is considered one of the finest models of architectural ingenuity. It stands as the open arms of Christ welcoming and blessing all those who enter the University. Unveiled on February 11, 2013, the National Historical Marker, bestowed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, is a recognition of the significant contributions of SPUP in the fields of education and service to the province, the region and the country.

The three churches in Tuguegarao show how much people still embrace their faith and use it as their shield to be strong amidst the challenges of life.

More photos at:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Airwind07/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1475416272480078

View my posts at my social media accounts:

IG: @airwindzone

FB Page: www.facebook.com/airwind07

FB Profile: www.facebook.com/earthairwind  

Blog: http://airwindbautista.blogspot.com/

#NCCA #PIA #ATIN #LaUnion #Airwindzone #TurismoFilipinasByAirwindzone #choosephilippines #shareph #CJMakil #ZTLYadao #VillaDEllita

Pancit Batil Patong of Tuguegarao City

The pancit batil patong of Cagayan, that shows the trade industry of frequent Chinese visitors in the past and left the people with their noodles as a meal and now a booming business thru the years. Pancit Batil Patong or Pancit Tuguegarao is made out of pancit miki Tuguegarao, minced carabao meat (Water buffalo), beans sprout and other vegetable topped with egg and chicaron. Batil Patong if directly translated  means “beat the egg”, “Place on Top” for Patong and that explains the egg on top.

Pancit Batil Patong is a famous meal of Tuguegarao City and considered as one of the best in Cagayan province that it had been a consistent must try to all tourist.

When I participated in the event of   National Commission for the Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Information Agency, the Eco-cultural Heritage Caravan Seminar with Onsite Immersion NCCA-PIA Culture & Arts Promotion in Luzon April 25-30, 2017., I was able to taste the authentic pancit bating patong of Tuguegarao , Cagayan. The eatery that accommodated us, the Jeff’s Panciteria, owned by Mr. Jeff Lucina, who is the consistent winner in Pancit Cooking Contest in Tuguegarao City. It is located in Caggay Highway. Jeff’s Panciteria had been the winner in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. The 4 Times Champion was inspired to open his own panciteria after working for his relative and had seen the potential of  the said food and now made his own version which is now a booming industry with his own panciteria.

Among the other must try panciterias are; Liza’s Panciteria in Annafunan, Eva’s Panciteria in Annafunan East, Macoy’s Panciteria n Diciano Street, Sharon Village and Billy Jack’s Panciteria in Buntun Highway.

So when you are in Tuguegarao City, remember to fill your tummy with the sumptuous pancit batil patong.

more photos at:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Airwind07/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1475416272480078

View my posts at my social media accounts:

IG: @airwindzone

FB Page: www.facebook.com/airwind07

FB Profile: www.facebook.com/earthairwind

Blog: airwindbautista.blogspot.com

#NCCA #PIA #ATIN #LaUnion #Airwindzone #TurismoFilipinasByAirwindzone #choosephilippines #shareph #CJMakil #ZTLYadao #VillaDEllita

Heritage Walk in Baguio City

Baguio City is known as the summer capital of the Philippines, that when I am tired of the hotness of our place, Baguio is the best place to be.

My usual visit in Baguio is all about, a visit to the Baguio Cathedral, shopping at SM Baguio, a snack at Starbucks and J. Co, dining at different restaurants and end the day with finding outfits at the Thrift Shops. Thus when the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Information Agency invited me to be part of the Eco-cultural Heritage Caravan Seminar with Onsite Immersion NCCA-PIA Culture & Arts Promotion in Luzon April 25-30, 2017., it was a new adventure but so enriching to experience a look back to our heritage.

                The tour started with a visit to Tam-awan Village, a place that gives  one a feel of life showcasing the traditional Ifugao Huts and Baguio's art and culture scene. Established by National Artist Ben Cabrera in 1998 with Chanum Foundation to promote the local artists. Tam-awan is a local word which means "vantage point". There is a Cafe where you can get a taste of Cordillera flavors. I so like the place especially the food that they offered, a taste of Pinikpikan meal is already a chance for someone to experience to have the same food as our ancestors had  before. The Ifugao Huts are all quite interesting and I do wish that someday I will be able to experience checking-in and stay at one of the huts to experience how our ancestors had in their own nipa huts before. To those people who are so interested taking selfies can also enjoy the place with the flora and fauna of Tam-awan. One of the attraction too is the Solar Art where paintings were done thru the artistry of an artist and the rays of the sun. The best experience to look back at our heritage is to appreciate and join in the fun with the ethnic dance performed since it will make you experience how meaningful their moves and steps are.

A new place, Museo Kordilera-UP Baguio Ethnographic Museum. It recently opened and it features the arts and culture materials of the Cordillera. It is aimed to serve as repository of tangible and intangible heritage of the region. You will really get to know more how rich the culture of Cordillera was.

The Mini Forest Park, it is beside Baguio Convention Center reminds the public on how it is saved from a building construction project, the advocacy to reforest it and what tree species are within the area. The Baguio Convention Center is a convention facility and it was the venue of the 1978 World Chess Championship series between 2 Russian grandmaster Anatoly Karpov and Victor Korchnoi. The preservation of the Mini Forest Park shows that we have to keep a portion of any city to be untouched and maintain as a place for our nature to breathe so that we can still have a safe and greater life ahead.

Casa Vallejo The declared heritage site is along Upper Session Road and among the oldest buildings in the city. It was referred to as Dormitory 4 constructed by the Americans to house construction workers who helped Baguio City. The Casa Vallejo had withstand a lot of destruction thus it will be  a great thing to appreciate it and let the place be preserved.

Session Road Rotonda, With the eight rock formation art design installed by Igorot stone sculpture Gilbert Gano, it represent the eight members of the Philippine Commission who used to hold their summer sessions in Baguio in the early 1900s. The commission was composed of Governor General Luke E. Wright, President and Commissioners Henry C. Ide, Dean C. Worcester, T.H. Pardo de Tavera, Benito Legarda, Jose R. Luzuriaga, James F. Smith and W. Cameron Forbes.  It is one of the most visible site but I only find out about the significance of the stones during this tour, thus it was so informative and hoping more people will appreciate the art work and its historical value.

Baden Powell Hotel The site of the  building where the  Philippine Commission held its first session in Baguio from April 22 to June 11, 1904, inclusively, officially initiating use of Baguio as the country’s summer capital. There were 74 acts and 373 resolutions approved. It is now  a hotel used by tourist and I do hope that when people checked in, they will embrace how historical the place is.

Baguio Museum It is located within the Tourism Complex, displays a variety of artifacts and relics that speak of the cultural heritage, customs and traditions of the Mountain Province with each display focusing on an indigenous group. The Mountain Province is a so rich in culture and heritage thus it is a great way to appreciate the displays since it is the best thing to be acquainted on how the place progressed thru the years but still gives recognition of how rich their culture is.

After the Heritage Walk, I can say that I was able to get acquainted more with the culture and heritage of the Mountain Province, that Benguet and Cordillera are more appreciated  especially I was able to know more about Baguio City, not just a summer capital but also a place to appreciate culture and the arts.

more photos at:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Airwind07/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1477808565574182

View my posts at my social media accounts:

IG: @airwindzone

FB Page: www.facebook.com/airwind07

FB Profile: www.facebook.com/earthairwind

Blog: airwindbautista.blogspot.com

#NCCA #PIA #ATIN #LaUnion #Airwindzone #TurismoFilipinasByAirwindzone #choosephilippines #shareph #CJMakil #ZTLYadao #VillaDEllita

City of San Fernando: A Heritage Visit in the City full of history in Pampanga

City of San Fernando: A Heritage Visit in the City full of history in Pampanga

As a delegate of the event of National Commission for the Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Information Agency, the Eco-cultural Heritage Caravan Seminar with Onsite Immersion NCCA-PIA Culture & Arts Promotion in Luzon April 25-30, 2017, I experienced a heritage walk and visited the historical City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

San Fernando railway Station

It is a part of the Ferrerocarril de Manila-Dagupan, the first railway system in the Philippines built in 1892, spanning 195 kilometers from Tutuban in Manila to Dagupan in Pangasinan. This National Historical Commission of the Philippines site is one of the five stations which can be found in the province of Pampanga. The other four stations are located in Apalit, Sto. Tomas, Angeles City and Mabalacat City.

On the 27th of June 1982, Dr. Jose Rizal disembarked at this station to meet the new members of La Liga Filipina from Pampanga. After 50 years, in 1942, this place became the final stop of the 102 kilometer death march of Filipino and American prisoners of war from Bataan, before being transferred to their last destination, Camp O'Donnel in Capas, Tarlac. The San Fernando Railway Station is now the office of the Tourism staff of the city at the same time, it housed the museum that showcased the historical events that occurred in the railway station and personalities who have a significant role in their history.

A visit in the City of San Fernando will not be complete without a heritage walk around the city proper where you can see some old houses that are full of historical significance.

Consunji House, located in A. Consunji St., Sto. Rosario, City of San Fernando, Pampanga that served as residence of Don Antonio Consunji, Gobernadorcillo of San Fernando in 1892, who was removed from office by the Spanish authorities as a result of his presence during the visit to San Fernando of Dr. Jose Rizal in June 1892.He became the Presidente Municipal of San Fernando during the Philippine Revolution from 1898-1899.

Augusto P. Hizon House, located in A. Consunji St., Sto. Rosario, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The house was built at the turn of the century by the couple, Teodoro Santos and Africa Ventura. Later purchased by Maria Singian Hizon, a nurse of the Pampanga Chapter of the Philippine Red Cross during the Philippine Revolution.The house was inherited by her nephew Augusto Hizon and is currently owned by his heirs.

This ancestral house exemplifying the architecture prevalent during the American Colonial Period, is an important edifice of the city.

Lazatin House, located in A. Consunji St., Sto. Rosario, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. It was built by the couple, Serafin Lazatin and Encarnacion Singian in 1926, it served as the residence of the Japanese General Masaharu Homma during the Japanese occupation of San Fernando. The Lazatins are among the pioneers if the PASUDECO and SFELAPCO. A perfect example of the architecture prevalent during the American colonial period, it is listed as a Heritage House in the registry of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Hizon-Ocampo House, A. Consunji St., Sto. Rosario, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, originally owned by the couple Victoria Singian and Don Anacleto Hizonm, the house was later given to their daughter, Leoncia Hizon when she married Dr. Basilio Ocampo. Among the children of the latter couple who were born here were Aurea Ocampo Escaler, mother of the well-known businessman Ernesto Escalerand Bishop Federico Escaler SJ., Architect Fernando Ocampo, the Father of Modern Architecture; Sr. Maria Asuncion RGS, the first Filipina nun of the Religious of Good Sheperd; twins Pilar OCampo Feliciano and Rosario; Ricardo Ocampo and Purita Ocampo Gamboa, to whom the house was finally passed on. The house was indeed a place that produced personalities in the history of the country.

Tabacalera House, A. Consunji St., Sto. Rosario, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, a house designed by Architect Fernando Ocampo and rented to Tabacalera. During the 2nd World War, it was appropriated by the Japanese Imperial army to serve as headquarters of the Kempeitai from 1943-1944. This ancestral house, exemplifying the architecture prevalent during the American Colonial Period, is an important heritage edifice of the city.

Hizon-Singian House, located in A. Consunji St., Sto. Rosario, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, was built in 1870 by Capitan Anacleto Hizon, Gobernadorcillo of San Fernando and Victoria Singian de Miranda y de Ocampo. It served as headquarters of Spanish General Antonio Ruiz Serralde during the 1896 Philippine Revolution, as military hospital and barracks of the Japanese Imperial Army in 1943-1944, and as headquarters of American General Walter Krueger of the 6th American Army in 1945.

A perfect example of a bahay na bato, it is listed as a Heritage House in the registry of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Metropolitan Cathedral, founded by the Augustinians in 1754 and placed under the avocation of the Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion while the town was under the patronage of San Fernando III. Fr. Sebastian Moreno, OSA was named prior-vicar in 1756.

The stone church may have been built by the end of the 18th century. Both church and convent were burned by the Philippine Revolutionary Army on orders of Gen. Antonio Luna on May 5, 1899. IT was restored by Kapampangan Architect Fernando Hizon Ocampo in 1948.

Elevated to a cathedral on December 11, 1948 as the seat of the newly created Diocese. On October 1, 1981, it was established as Metropolitan Cathedral under the Titularship of St. Ferdinand and the Patronage of our Lady of the Assumption.

The heritage walk in A. Consunji St., Sto. Rosario, City of San Fernando, Pampanga was indeed full of history and lessons to ponder that it is a big salute to the people of San Fernando for their contributions in the history of our country but also for knowing to value the heritage of the city just by simple preserving historical sites and heritage houses. The heritage walk is like a visit to a lifesize museum.

View my posts at my social media accounts:

IG: @airwindzone

FB Page: www.facebook.com/airwind07

FB Profile: www.facebook.com/earthairwind

Blog: airwindbautista.blogspot.com

#NCCA #PIA #ATIN #LaUnion #Airwindzone #TurismoFilipinasByAirwindzone #choosephilippines #shareph #CJMakil #ZTLYadao #VillaDEllita

VIGAN: The Heritage City

When you hear the word VIGAN, it is always synonymous to heritage, being hailed as part of the 7 Wonders of the World for their preservation of the place as a heritage site. I had been visiting the place for a lot of times, and I am still a fan of how the government and the people preserve the city

A usual visit in Vigan consists of praying in the Vigan Cathedral, a shopping for souvenirs at the Heritage Village, a  ride with a calesa, dining in Plaza Burgos to eat SInanglaw, Empanada and Okoy, exploring the Baluarte, Hidden garden and experience pottery making and end the day to watch the Vigan City’s Dancing Fountain.

                But thru invitation of  the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Information Agency to be part of the Eco-cultural Heritage Caravan Seminar with Onsite Immersion NCCA-PIA Culture & Arts Promotion in Luzon April 25-30, 2017., It was great to discover a new place to visit in Vigan City and that is the Vigan Conservatory Complex. This complex houses three museums, a repository of archives, a conservation school and a dormitory. The 3 museums revolve around the concepts of the city's Pammati ken Kari (Devotion and Power), Ciudad Lungsod (Outlining the city) and Casa Bigueno (the revolution of the Vigan House).

            Visiting the place needs an appointment by writing a letter to the Office of the Mayor.

            Looking back at our visit, the first part, Pammati Ken Kari, shows how we Filipinos, embrace our faith to the Lord Almighty, that we indeed becomes strong no matter how hard life becomes, because of our faith thus it is indeed essential for us to Worship His Holy Name thru our devotion to our practices as a Catholic. I specifically liked the  part where the practice of Pasion is interpreted by having a recorded music for every visitors to witness how PASION was done, it was the part of the exhibit that is not common to religious themed museums.

            The second part, Ciudad Lungsod, will make visitors to be familiar on the historical background of Vigan, on having a chance to know about the personalities behind the history of Vigan, a look on the pottery and weaving industry of the city introduced how creative the people of Vigan are, on how artistry became a source of income of the people and  an eyeview of how Vigan looks like thru a miniature of the city. The city had been full of personalities in the history and evident is the popularity of Gabriela Silang and Diego Silang who were not just couple but also a partner in fighting for the country against the Spaniards. The said part of the  museum will make you realize how people fight for freedom and how cruel it was that fellow Filipinos prefer to sacrifice the lives of their fellows just to save themselves. Indeed, a cruel part of our history it was. Heroism is the reason why Vigan’s culture and heritage is still alive right now since people never forget how valuable it is to fight for our country and preserve the beauty of our country.

                The last part of the museum is a look on how intricate it was to maintain and build a Vigan House in Casa Bigueno, wherein  models of Vigan houses and the materials used in constructing a Vigan house were displayed. It was indeed a great way to discover of how the Vigan house that we appreciate so much was constructed.

                The conservatory complex will still have more stuff to construct and show to people so that we will appreciate more to conserve our culture and heritage and hoping it will not be that hard to once again visit the said place because if visiting is only thru appointment and not open to the public then the place will only looks like it was constructed for only few and selected people to visit.

 for more photos Just click this link:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Airwind07/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1476565869031785

View my posts at my social media accounts:

IG: @airwindzone

FB Page: www.facebook.com/airwind07

FB Profile: www.facebook.com/earthairwind

Blog: airwindbautista.blogspot.com

#NCCA #PIA #ATIN #LaUnion #Airwindzone#TurismoFilipinasByAirwindzone #choosephilippines #shareph #CJMakil #ZTLYadao #VillaDEllita