Ilocos Series: Bacarra Church and Bell Tower
6:58 PMWe came to Laoag on October 25 via Cebu Pacific Air at around 6:30pm, which was about 30 minutes earlier than our expected time of arrival. From the airport, we were picked up by a maroon Mercedes Benz van driven by Mang Mario, who also served as our local tour guide for this trip, and brought us to our chosen accommodation, Balay Da Blas Pensionne House.
Since it was already night time when we arrived in Laoag, we just decided to have dinner at Saramsam Restaurant and rest early in preparation for our next day's tour of the northern part of the Ilocos province.
Our first day's itinerary was jam packed, so we had an early call time. We had breakfast at 6:30am and found ourselves on the road already by 7:00am.
For hassle-free van rentals, you may email Anna Marie and Tootsie Leaño of Ilocos Travel at ilocostravel12@yahoo.com or contact them thorough the following numbers: (077) 772 2359 / 0917 601 1163 / 0910 812 2176.
BACARRA CHURCH
My dearest mama and I in front of the Bacarra Church, Bacarra Ilocos Norte
Our first stop for the day was at St Andrew Parish Church, more popularly known as the Bacarra Church, located in the town of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. This historical and cultural landmark founded by the Agustinians was built in the 16th century and had to be reconstructed three more times due to the damage caused by several earthquakes that hit the province.
This church, along with many other baroque churches in Ilocos, has been a popular tourist attraction both among the locals and foreigns. Being a Roman Catholic since birth, I personally admire how huge and beautiful their churches are. Nevertheless, I cannot help but remember how many poor Filipinos had suffered through the "sapilitang paggawa" or forced labor under the Spanish regime in order to build this majestic church that we come to enjoy and experience today.
BACARRA BELL TOWER
Just a few meters across the church is the Bacarra Bell Tower or the Acrobatic Bell Tower of Bacarra. This national cultural treasure originally stands 50 meters in height with three floors and a heavy bronze bell. However, due to several earthquakes it had endured, the tower began to lean, thus it was called "Bowing Bell Tower of Bacarra" or the "Leaning Tower of the North," and eventually got destroyed leaving the tower with a flattened top.
Bacarra's most prized heritage -- the Bacarra Bell Tower
My brother, Noel and his girlfriend, Mawsi, with my 23-month old son, Rafa.
Our family in front of the Bacarra Bell Tower with the ultimate selfie queen and my only sister, Ate Mot.
If you are the type of person who's passionate about history and the arts, just like my dear husband, then this road trip to the North is definitely for you!
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You have read Part 3 of 16 of my travel blog posts about our family's trip to Ilocandia. Should you wish to view the rest of the blog posts under this series, feel free to click any of the links below:
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