Ilocandia Adventures - Sta. Maria, Ilocus Sur

Sta. Maria was not in my original itinerary.  I heard about the Sta. Maria church from a fellow guest staying at Grandpas Inn.  I got curious. My curiosity paid off!  

Sta. Maria is around an hour by bus from Vigan. I boarded the bus heading for Baguio from the terminal near the Public market complex. Buses going to manila is also an alternative when going to Sta. Maria.

One cannot miss the church.  All buses going to and from the town passes by it.  With its impressive bell tower and stone steps, one can never miss the location. The church is also a world heritage site.

 
 

The church interiors is impressive.  Stepping inside the church made me felt as if I went back in time due to the century old wood carvings and statues found inside.  

On my way in through the rectory, I spotted some worn out documents inside an 'aparador' in one corner.  They seemed old.  I noted of making a detailed inspection on my way out...

They were indeed baptismal records and church hymnals dating back to the 1700s!  I was even surprised when the records keeper showed me more documents stored in another 'aparador'.  

I was overwhelmed by the age of such documents, however, I felt sad realizing the fact that no form of protection was being done to safeguard these documents from further decay.  I confirmed this from the office workers in the rectory.  Paging, National Historical Commission !!!

My Sta. Maria trip was a short but revealing visit.  After lunch I headed back to Vigan.

Ilocandia Adventures - Vigan

A twelve hour bus ride from Manila to Laoag is too much for me.  It will consume a considerable time of my limited schedule in exploring the Ilocos region.  Thanks once again to the seat-sale of Cebu Pacific, I was able to book a round-trip ticket from Manila to Laoag at a discounted price.  

Touch down at the Laoag international airport was just after lunch. The flight was delayed for almost an hour due to the air traffic congestion at the Manila airport (as always).  I availed of the free shuttle service from the airport to the city proper, from where I took a tricycle to bus terminal for Vigan. To avail of the free shuttle service, just go to the passenger assistance counter near the exit of the arrival hall in the airport and register your name there.

I took the Farinas aircon bus going to Pasay. No, i'm not going back to Manila.  Vigan is to the South of Ilocos with respect to Laoag. It was cozy enough that I was able to relax for the next two hours.  I dropped off at the terminal near the Vigan Market Complex where I took a tricyle to Grandpa's Inn -- my home for the next two nights.  

Grandpa's Inn (http://www.grandpas-inn.com/index.php) is just a walking distance from the Heritage Strip where one finds the more known Calle Crisologo.  The Inn itself gives the feeling of being in an old Spanish mansion. I would recommend that you stay in this place at least one night.


 
Calle Crisologo is a cobble-stone street lined with century old spanish-inspired old houses and souvenir shops.  Kalesas (horse-drawn carriage) ply the street ferrying mostly tourist and a few locals. Popular souvenir items from this part of Ilocos are the ilocono towels and similar woven items, native garlic and onions.  The best time to go around the Calle is night time. If time permits, buy your souvenir from the Vigan Public Market complex where they are cheaper, otherwise get them from the souvenir shops in the Calle area.

With no intentions to buy souvenir items at Calle Crisolog, I instead sampled the dishes that were sold in some of the cafes in the street.  I sampled Ilocos' famous empanada from one of the stalls - at P24 piece. Its huge enough that it can be considered a meal for the 'small-eaters'.  






For an early dinner, I sampled Cafe Leona's bagnet (which is just like a lechon kawali) and a sinigang soup.  The food at Cafe Leona's is delicious, but expensive. I know there's a more cheaper food-joint some other other parts of Vigan.  

Oh, I tried their tabacco, but I never got passed the third puff -- too strong!

I ate my breakfast here as an alternative to Grandpas Restaurant which can be full during peak season.  They serve the typical breakfast 'silog', especially the one having the sweet Vigan Longanisa. 

Vigan Cathedral (St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral) and the Plaza Burgos are alternative hang-outs after the Calle Crisologo.  The church is the third reconstruction during the 1700s after an earthquake destroyed the first one during the 1500s and after a fire gutted the second one in the 1600s.  

I passed the cathedral earlier that day but never got interested until I saw it during night time.  

Fifteen to twenty minutes from Vigan City proper is the Baluarte. It is a mini-zoo owned by the politician Chavit Singson.  The resort complex lies in hectares of land that stretches from the rolling plain towards the hills, where the former governor’s multi-storey house sits with a grand view of Vigan, the mountains of Abra and the South China Sea. 

There are no entrance fees so everyone is welcome. 









There is a butterfly farm, a track for horse riding and an aviary.  Ostrich roam freely in the track much to the delight of the visitors. 

Caged peacocks, pheasants, deers of various kinds are found adjacent to the butterfly garden.

The Bengal Tigers can be seen at the entrance to the zoo.  

It is advisable to hire a tricycle when going to the Baluarte Mini-zoo.  I paid 200 pesos for the one I hired.

Dinagyang Festival - A Dance To Faith

Dinagyang Festival is to Iloilo, while Sinulog is to Cebu.  Which one is better than the other is like comparing an apple to an orange.  Whatever it is, both festivals are celebrated in honor of the miraculous child Jesus, the Sto. Nino.

Dinagyang Festival is held every 4th weekend of January in Iloilo City, a week after the Sinulog of Cebu City.  It is a weeklong festivity, but the highlight is on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Dinagyang week.

Saturday and Sunday was all about dance.

The Media Pass issued to me allowed me access to the photographers and videographers area at the sprawling Ilo-ilo Sports Complex.  Space was a no issue among those in the area. 

Getting the Media Pass was not easy though as several requirements were needed by the foundation for them to issue such passes.  Thanks to Ms. Pearl Lena who guided me through out the application process.

The Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Competition took place on a Saturday.  The competition showcased the cultural dances inspired by the veneration of Sto. Nino and the Christianization of the Philippines as a whole. It was participated by select participants from the various municipalities of the island.

A sports dance competition was on-going when I arrived inside the complex.  I guess this was the 'front-act' to entertain the spectators while waiting for the first contingent to arrive.  The sports complex was the last performance and judging area for the competition.

I was thrilled to know that two fellow Cagayanons were among the judges of the sports-dance competition.  Both of them are well-known experts in this field, Faith Javellan and Rodel de la Torre. 

I owe them this picture, so if any of you know them, please message me so i can ask on how I can give this picture to each of them.

As the first group of participants were parading into the field, i cant help but notice my fellow 'shutter-bugs' as they scramble to position, preparing themselves for the first of the seven performances that day.

The colorful costumes of the performers, their gracious movements and facial expressions combined to make each performance enthralling.  To me they were all winners. The following images best describe their performances ...

In between performance, floats would pass-by just like this one bearing the winners of the festival pageant.

For the first time, the Masskara of Bacolod and Ati-atihan of Kalibo festivals winners joined the Dinagyan as guest performers during the competition.  Their presence added more color and fun to the competition.  Each were given standing ovations by the Ilonggos.

Masskara Festival Performers

Ati-atihan Performers

Ati-atihan Performer

The Ati Competition the following Sunday is the big event!  The grandstand of the the sports complex was filled to the rafters - the crowd double in size the previous day.

Props, costumes, movements and expressions were the name of the game of the competition. See them for yourselves...

When the Tribu Pan-ay performed their routine, I almost forgot that I need to take pictures.  

Their props where really well-crafted, the movement fast-paced and the choreography almost perfect.  

Most of my companions in the photographers area were perplexed by their performance.  It was their 3rd win in a row. No wonder... 

Other participants also showcased their best and gave their all in their respective performances.

Truly, Dinagyang is one of the Philippines' Best Festivals.  I encourage you to see and experience the festivities next January.

Dinagyang Festival - An Expression Of Faith

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/1000, 73mm, f/6.3, ISO 800

Dinagyang Festival is to Iloilo, while Sinulog is to Cebu.  Which one is better than the other is like comparing an apple to an orange.  Whatever it is, both festivals are celebrated in honor of the miraculous child Jesus, the Sto. Nino.

Dinagyang Festival is held every 4th weekend of January in Iloilo City, a week after the Sinulog of Cebu City.  It is a weeklong festivity, but the highlight is on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Dinagyang week.

I would have wanted to see the fluvial procession but the heat prevented me. 

I decided to just go straight to the San Jose Parish church where the image of the Nino will be brought to after the fluvial procession along the Iloilo River.  

Accordingly, the pilgrim image of the Sto. Nino arrived in Iloilo a day before from Cebu.

After lighting a few candles and saying personal prayers I seated myself in the center part of the church to maximize my view of the event.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/50, 24mm, f/6.3, ISO 800

Devotees, young and old alike, bearing their images of the Nino in various attires and sizes have started to arrive. 

The church has  started to fill-up.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/80, 102mm, f/4.5, ISO 800

The first of the many devotees who joined the procession has arrived, bringing with them their own images of the child Jesus.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/100, 65mm, f/5, ISO 800

The tribe representatives, dressed in their tribal costume followed.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/30, 105mm, f/4, ISO 800

Now, everyone inside the church was on their feet as the moment the image of the Nino became visible outside the church.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/30, 58mm, f/4, ISO 800

All were now facing the church entrance as the image was being brought inside.  Everyone were chanting 'Viva senor Sto. Nino!" and at the same time waving their own images of the Nino.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/60, 105mm, f/8, ISO 800

I was lucky enough to be standing in the center aisle where it gave me a good view of the Pilgrim Image of the Nino.  Those who were nearer tried to rub their handkerchief on the glass-casing carrying the image.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/30, 105mm, f/8, ISO 800

The chanting of 'Viva senor Sto. Nino!" continued as the image was carried to the altar. 

As the image was positioned in the altar I started my way out of the church which was now jammed-pack.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/30, 35mm, f/8, ISO 800

Outside, I noticed this young devotee garbed in his tribal costume who willingly posed for a picture. 

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm L IS USM,  1/50, 65mm, f/4.5, ISO 400

I heard the mass entrance hymn being sang as i crossed the street towards my next destination.