San Andres : The Town Once Known as Calolbon

(This is part of my Visit Catanduanes 2015 series. For other Catanduanes posts, just click the links after this article)

The third Catanduanes town I was able to visit is San Andres. This town was once officially called as "Calolbon" but was renamed "San Andres" on June 18, 1964. The town was named after its patron saint but is still called by the locals by its former name, Calolbon.

San Andres Church

The very first site I visited in this town is its church. Just like in Virac, I was not impressed by the church's facade. I thought it was a modern one but when I saw the interior, I was greeted by the church's very thick wall and realized it is also a century-old church! It was a shame the church's facade was renovated. It must have been a beautiful one before the renovation but something must have happened leading to that change of facade. 

Bato : Town of an Old Church, a Shrine, and a Long Bridge

(This is part of my Visit Catanduanes 2015 series. For other Catanduanes posts, click the links after this article.)

The 2nd town of Catanduanes I was able to visit (actually the main target of this trip) is BATO, the home of a very beautiful century-old church. This town lies just 8 kilometers east of Virac, and can be reached by passenger jeeps or chartered tricycle.

San Juan Bautista Church. Bato Church. Bato, Catanduanes.

The church is the main tourist attraction of Bato because of its old-world charm beautifully preserved by the people of the town. Building of the church was started in the early 1800's and was finished at the middle of the same century - spanning over 50 decades. It is situated by the river and the first one to welcome visitors upon arriving at the town from Virac.