"My Wandering Feet" - A Secret Beauty Hidden in the North (2 of 5)

CLICK ME for an INTRODUCTION to this BLOG Series.

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Not so many people (including me!) are familiar with what Cagayan has to offer.  At the thought of Cagayan, aside from the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport, I can easily recall four (4) things: (1) Enrile’s; (2) Port Irene; (3) Callao Cave; and (4) Casino.  

But when I went to Tuguegarao for a business trip, I didn’t expect that I have more exciting to do than to attend a meeting.  My Wandering Feet suddenly felt prickly and invigorated to move fast to match my adrenaline rush.  Well, who can blame My Wandering Feet! …..  The backdrop of secluded coves with pristine white sand shimmering with clear and blue waters, longest and widest river in the country, rugged terrain, virgin forested mountains, thick and lusty mangroves, mysterious caves, and picture perfect landscapes simply took my breath away.  In a nutshell, I sensed that there was only ME, NATURE and an ULTIMATE ADVENTURE.

Cagayan Province

"Visita Iglesia": A Visit to Centuries-Old Churches

I have always been fascinated with old structures that were built thousands or hundreds years long-long time ago.  Ruins never failed to captivate my attention, but the structures I found in Cagayan Province amazed me that they are still being used as with their original use, in good condition - - - as churches.  One can combine a visit to Cagayan with a religious pilgrimage.  

St. Philomene Church in the town of Alcala was built in 1881. Primarily constructed with red bricks, it is considered as the widest church in the province.

The Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat is in the western part of the province in a town named Piat. Accordingly, the miraculous activities of the image of Mary found here continues to attract pilgrims.

The Parish of St. James the Greater is located in Iguig. Popularly known as Iguig Church, it is the only church in the country that have flying buttresses. Constructed from 1765 to 1787, it is also believed that the Jubilee Cross in the church contains the relic of the True Cross of Jesus.

The Cavalry Hills located in the vicinity of Iguig Church features the 14 stations of the cross in more than life-size statues. During Holy Week, catholics flock to this area to commemorate their devotions to the suffering and death of Christ.

Aside from the  churches pictured above, the are still more interesting churches in the area:

• The Sts. Peter and Paul Metropolitan Cathedral in Tuguegarao was constructed in 1767.  Considered by many as one of the most beautiful works of art in the Country, it is also the biggest Spanish-built church in the Cagayan Valley. 
• Located also in Tuguegarao is the St. Hyacinth Church (or Ermita San Jacinto).  This is an elevated church whose construction dates back from 1604.
• The Parish Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman is a Spanish colonial church situated in Lal-lo.  Lal-lo was one of the first four cities in the Philippines, along with Manila, Cebu and Naga.  The first Bishop of the Lal-lo Diocese (Nueva Segovia), Miguel Benavidez, O.P., was also the founder of the University of Santo Tomas.
• The oldest bell in the Far East can be found in the Church of San Jacinto de Polonia in the town of Camalaniugan.  The Santa Maria Bell was forged in the year 1595.
• Other churches include: Our Lady of Victories in Amulong, St. Catherine of Alexandria in Gattaran, Church of St. Michael in Nassiping and St. Peter Thelmo in Appari. 

More to come! - - - 

               “Food Delights Amidst Nature"

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