Bulacan: Town of Heritage | Glimpse of Malolos

Barasoain Church
 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Church


Since my Aunt and her family moved to Bulacan, my cousin and I had a lot time exploring the said province. Every weekend I tend to have my vacation spree there and accompanying by Julie (my couz), we roam around Bulacan, and our first stop is Malolos.


When I was young, I've been admiring a church behind the 10 peso bill which is the historical Barasoain Church.

Bantay Ilocos Sur: Bell Tower

Bantay Bell Tower, Vigan Ilocos Sur

Another rainy weekend when Jhen and the "gang" decided to go up north and discover the land of where the ancient houses built. According to history, It was used as a watchtower for invading enemy forces during World Wars I and II. Evidently, the Bantay Church and bell tower are the monumental witnesses to various atrocities, uprisings and staged revolts.

Bohol: Dauis Church | The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

The town of Dauis is located in the Island of Panglao, on the side facing Tagbilaran City. Panglao Island nestles closely to the main province of Bohol and is connected to the mainland by two causeways. Located 3.1 kilometers southwest of Tagbilaran, the Dauis Church is visible across the narrow channel from Tagbilaran and can be reached by hiking through a pleasant path, or by riding a motor bike or car. Passenger jeepneys and mini-buses ply the Tagbilaran-Panglao route through three directions; a tourist may simply ask at the terminal as to which ride passes thru Dauis town. Fare: P6.50.

The church occupies a strip of land on the shore of Panglao Island opposite Tagbilaran City. One of the most beautiful churches of Bohol, one gets an excellent view of the church and convento from the Mansasa seaside as one travels from Tagbilaran to Baclayon. The approach from the Gov. Jacinto Borja Bridge also gives an impressive view of this church.

Bohol: Panglao Church | St. Augustine Church

The church of St. Augustine stands on the southwestern side of Panglao Island, and is 18 kilometers from Tagbilaran City, the capital of the province of Bohol. It snugly nestles on a plain, its back close to the seashore, its right side facing a big, wide plaza which serves as the venue of the town’s many religious and social activities. In addition to the massive stone church which is clearly of Spanish-time vintage, one can see across the spacious plaza other landmarks of Spain’s occupation: the watch tower, said to be the tallest of its kind in the Philippines, and the old municipal building and school houses made of huge stone blocks.

The church can be reached from Tagbilaran City by vans and cars, or the cheaper way by the jeepneys and mini-buses that ply the Tagbilaran – Panglao routes. All three routes to Panglao from the capital converge in the area where the St. Augustine Church stands. Fare: P20.

Bohol: Baclayon Church | Frolics in Bohol

The history of the church of Baclayon dates back to the time when the first Spanish missionaries who hailed from Cebu, Fr. Juan de Torres and Fr. Gabriel Sanchez, settled in the area on November 17, 1596 and a visita was erected soon after.

The first church that the natives of the area constructed was built of bamboo with thatched roofing. It was then the residence of their Superior General and called the “Residencia” or center of the Bohol missions. The mission spread to the hinterlands of Bohol and in 1596, Fr. Juan de Torres established another settlement in Loboc.

But the peace and order situation in this coastal settlement was often broken by raids done by Moro invaders. After a vicious attack on the settlement, the Jesuit Missionaries moved the center of their missionary activities to the inland village of Loboc on October 26, 1600.

Loboc became a parish in 1602 and from that time until the 18th century, it played host to the “Residencia”. Meanwhile, life in the Baclayon settlement went on as usual. Steadfast in their faith, the people did not join their Bohol comrades in raising arms against the Spanish conquistadors during the Tamblot or Diwata Uprising in 1621.

The Bell Tower