Strolling around Cabugao, Ilocos Sur

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

Morning of June 16, after visiting the town of Sinait, I visited the town of Cabugao next. Cabugao lies south of Sinait and the next northernmost Ilocos Sur town. I have planned of forgoing my visit to this town but the charm of its beautiful and high church bell tower seen from the bridge just before entering the town proper is something I can't resist. And yes, I changed my mind and did visit Cabugao because of that.

Cabugao Municipal Hall. Ilocos Sur.

From Sinait where I took a southbound bus, I alighted in front of Cabugao Town Hall. The hall is painted mint green and its design is simple but engaging. Traces of American-era architecture can be seen in its design, completed with a Spanish "karatula"declaring the hall "Presidencia". There is a small but well-landscaped garden in front of the town hall, making the whole place more pleasing to the eyes.

Antonio Luna Monument. Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

Just beside the town hall stands the Spanish-era town church. Actually, because the church stands higher, you can already see it from the road in front of the town hall. I walked towards the church but stopped when I saw a very beautiful and seemingly newly built monument of a man astride a horse just outside the church fence. It was a monument of Antonio Luna. An excerpt of the marker says: "Through Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 42, Series of 2012, the monument of Antonio Luna returns to its original site in front of the Catholic Church. The monument at its previous location has been vandalized and dilapidated."

It turned out that the road in front of the Catholic Church is a historical one because it is the very highway that General Antonio Luna and his men has traversed during the Filipino-American War. The monument now serves as a marker of the road formerly known as Camino Real. After being held by my curiosity on the monument, I continued walking towards the church.

Cabugao Church. Ilocos Sur.

Cabugao Church is officially named as the Church of St. Mark the Evangelist. Its building started and ended in the Spanish period but was damaged by the earthquake in the 1880's, and a fire in 1965 . Fortunately, it was not severely damaged both times and has been able to be restored by the townsfolk (Biyahero.net). At the left side of the main church is a large, five storey belltower while at the right side is the church convent.

Cabugao Church Choir Loft

Interior of Cabugao Church

The design of the church's interior is very simple and actually modern. The altar is also simple without the grandeur exhibited by other older churches of the Ilocos Sur province.

Cabugao Church Altar

In front of the church is a very spacious yard, mainly used as parking for the vehicles but can also be used as a venue for some gatherings, or simply as a children's playground.

I would also like to visit Pug-os beach that day but the lack of time and budget prevented me from doing so. Instead, I took a bus and continued my journey south.

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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
Magsingal : A Town of Wanderers
San Vicente : the Barrio Destined to Become a Town
A Visit to a Town Called Santa Lucia
Santa : The Town with a Long Name
The Heritage City of Candon
Santa Maria Church : A UNESCO World Heritage Site
A Walking Tour Around Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur
The Town That Would Never Sink : Narvacan