The Ilocos Tour: Of Churches and Bellfrys

Remember the old FPJ movies, the ones we used to watch in the afternoon where the high noon sun is up and it is scorching outside? FPJ would be on a horse and the town is deserted while he calls out the name of his nemesis, " Lumabas ka dyan!, " he would say.

This would be part of that movie, the Church of San Agustin, slightly off the town of Vigan, but is just a calesa ride away. It was the highlight of our Vigan tour, the calesa ride. It was almost 11, and with the afternoon heat came the sound of the horse's hooves and the wind was caressing my face, passing through the cotton fibres of my clothing, soothing, quietly telling me to slow down my pace.










We passed by Vigan Cathedral. It would be my first, and last, I predicted.









There are many 16th century churches in the Ilocos province; some wonderfully preserved, while others already encroached by the modern market and establishments. My favorite is the Paoay church, which stood majestically in place, surrounded by grey clouds on this Sunday afternoon.