Magsingal : A Town of Wanderers

(This is part of my Ilocos Sur townhopping last June 15-16, 2013)

Magsingal Belfry. Ilocos Sur.

The town proper of Magsingal, Ilocos Sur is one of the most noticeable town propers along the highway connecting Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. From the bus, a traveler will be able to see Magsingal's beautiful town hall, a century-old church, and a branch of the Philippines' National Museum. 

It was said that the town name "Magsingal" came from an Ilocano term "Managsinggal" meaning, "wanderer" to refer to the nomadic way of life of the Itnegs and Tingguians who first settled (or maybe, wandered) in the place even before the arrival of the Spanish in the Philippines (Ilocandia Realtor). Upon learning the origin of the town's name, I can't help to smile alone and thought that this town will be best for me because it is the town of "wanderers"... :)

Museum and belfry markers. Magsingal, Ilocos Sur.

The first thing I saw upon arriving in the town (coming from the town of Cabugao) is an imposing four-tiered Spanish-era belfry. The belfry mightily stands alone, and I actually mistook the nearby old looking structure near it as the town church. Upon checking, the structure I thought to be the town church turned out to be Magsingal Museum, a branch of the National Museum in Ilocos Region.

Magsingal Museum. Ilocos Sur.

Because of being a history buff, museums are strong magnet for me. That's actually one of the reason I have included Magsingal in my itinerary that day. Unfortunately, the museum is closed because that was a Sunday (the museum is open from Monday to Friday) so I was not able to see what's inside. What I did is just to take a picture of the museum because the structure itself is also historical : it was once the convent of the century-old Magsingal Town Church.

Magsingal Museum. Ilocos Sur.

The museum also looks old that's why I thought it was the town church at first. But if I had just really analyzed it, it couldn't have been the town church judging from the huge belfry in front of it which also should have a big church to complement it. The museum/convent is built with bricks while some parts of the facade is plastered but was left unpainted.

Magsingal Town Hall. Ilocos Sur.

In front of the belfry and museum, across the road, can already be seen the beautiful town hall. The Magsingal town hall was designed to look like a Spanish casa real while a nicely landscaped garden was built in its front. It was beautifully made that no one would pass along the highway who won't notice it, especially when a conspicuous stone marker bearing the name of the town at its side announces that a traveler is already at Magsingal town proper. On the right side of the town hall is a spacious yard where, I assume, town events are being held. 

Magsingal Town Hall facade. Ilocos Sur.

Just at the same side of the road where the belfry and museum can be found the San Guillermo de Aquitania Church (Church of St. William the Hermit), Magsingal's town Church. The church is also big and from the design, one can already conclude that it is an old church. 

San Guillermo Aquitania Church. Magsingal Town Church. Ilocos Sur.

The church was closed when I got there so I wasn't able to check the church's interior. It was a disappointment for me because I came there to also see its antique wooden altar and three-tiered retablo. Because I've got no choice, I just checked out the church's surrounding and other external parts.

Left side part of Magsingal Church. Ilocos Sur.

The church also has large buttresses just like some other churches of the Ilocos Sur though its buttresses are not those flying type but just vertical ones. From the walls of the church can be glimpsed its true age because of the bricks used and overgrowth of mosses though large part is already plastered. Attached on the church's right side is the parish office (though it looks more like a convent to me).

Magsingal Church and Parish Office. Ilocos Sur.

This church is actually one of the 26 Spanish-era churches declared as National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum in the year 2001. Because of that, conservation efforts where put forth to ensure that this church will still remain standing for a long time, to be seen by the coming generation. It now explains those wall plasterings and other newer repairs I have seen when I visited the church. I hope that this church, along with all Magsingal historical and cultural buildings, will be able to stand the test of time and continue to be a silent witness to the town, and the nation's history.

From Magsingal, I continued my journey south to the overshadowed but very beautiful town of San Vicente.

********************************************

To know more about my Ilocos Sur Tour, please keep posted for detailed posts about the different towns I have been to in the coming days. Thanks! 

For the meantime, visit:

A Blast from  the Past : Ilocos Sur
Sinait : A Town of Legend
Strolling around Cabugao, Ilocos Sur
San Vicente : the Barrio Destined to Become a Town
A Visit to a Town Called Santa Lucia
The Heritage City of Candon
Santa : The Town with a Long Name
Santa Maria Church : A UNESCO World Heritage Site
A Walking Tour Around Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur
The Town That Would Never Sink : Narvacan