SUBSCRIBECagayan Valley Churches, 1
Continued from my Nueva Vizcaya - Isabela trip…
Cagayan Valley has its own share of old Spanish era churches that were built by the Dominicans. What is noticeable, though, of these churches are that these are made of bricks usually baked near these sacred structures. I have visited around nine of these churches (except for one, which is newly built) starting with that of Bayombong followed by Dupax del Sur in Nueva Vizcaya. Alicia, Gamu, Echague, Tumauini, Ilagan and Cauayan City, all in Isabela. My reaction has been of amazement, awe, bewilderment, enthusiasm disappointment as I’ve comeface to face with these structures and the various condition and improvements that has been inflicted.
St. Dominic Cathedral
It was early morning, with a slight drizzle, that I arrived in Bayombong and when I entered the town, I was impressed with this cathedral, the first in Nueva Vizcaya, thinking that this is still the original only to find out that its not. The whole church was replaced and only the facade, razed twice, and the belfry destroyed by an earthquake in the 90’s, was rebuilt in the original design but its ancient charm is lost forever. However, very few remnants of the walls can still be found at its side.
San Vicente Ferrer Church
I’ve heard much and read much about this quaint old church in Dupax del Sur that I’ve really planned to visit this. Alighting from the tricycle I hired in Bambang, I was just struck with the simplicity of its facade. The front o the church has been painted over but the belfry, was such an imposing sight of bricks, towering at its side. Impressive! It was closed when I arrived but I knocked on the convent where I met a boy who’s a sacristan. He let me in and guided me around the church.
This church, built in the late 18th century and is one of 26 declared National Cultural Treasures (excluding the 4 recognized UNESCO World Heritage Sites) by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). It is known for its baptistry and two columns finely carved stucco.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:06AM
Corey, yeah, I’ve been to the top of the belltower. The view of the town is just beautiful. Mahirap lang talaga umakyat dun sa tower since the opening is quite small, pangbata ata, and you have to go via a wooden ladder. Thanx for visiting.
July 6th, 2007 at 9:54AM
Thats a pretty sweet church isnt it? i lived in Dupax Del Norte for about six months and would go by that nearly everyday. Did you go up to the top of the bell tower? If not, i highly recomend it the next time you go through there. The view of the town is awesome from there. but take a flashlight, you will need it in the stairwell.
April 3rd, 2006 at 7:35PM
Sidney, its an ongoing project for me. Maybe in the future when my portfolio would be stronger :p
thanx for the visit.
April 3rd, 2006 at 2:16PM
I guess you have pictures of all the important churches of the Philippines. Maybe you should look for a publisher to print a book about them.
Too bad that the renovations are not always done very well and that most parishes lack the funds to do the renovations.