The Town that Would Never Sink : Narvacan

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

I have reached Narvacan only 15-20 minutes after leaving the town of Santa Maria. I have included the town in my itinerary because I read from somewhere that it has a beautiful church with centuries old of history tucked within it. As I am really a history and heritage structure buff, I know I have to visit this town. 

Narvacan Church. Ilocos Sur.

The first thing I have seen upon arriving at the town is their spacious plaza in front of a modernly-designed town hall. The Narvacan Plaza is currently undergoing some renovation when I get there so I didn't manage to get good shots of it. It actually has a fountain designed as a galleon, which I am assuming is a reference to the story how the town got it's name.

A Walking Tour around Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

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

Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur has always been known as the town where one of the four Baroque Churches inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list can be found. But aside from the famous Santa Maria Church, there are other heritage structures still standing in this historic town for everyone to see.

I was greeted by a conspicuous town plaza arch upon arriving at the town. Said arch serves as the entrance to the town's spacious plaza where town events are held.

Santa Maria Church : A UNESCO World Heritage Site

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

From my fulfilling and successful Abra town hopping, I hopped onto a bus to continue my town hopping, this time in the Heritage Province of Ilocos Sur. I was so excited then because my next destination is the town of Santa Maria to visit and see the world famous Santa Maria Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Santa Maria Church. Baroque Church of the Philippines. UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Santa Maria Church is one of the four churches (the others being Miag-ao Church in Iloilo, Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, and San Agustin Church in Manila) clumped as the Baroque Churches of the Philippines inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. 

Santa : The Town with a Long Name

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

I first had an encounter with Santa during our school's Ilocos tour in 2009 (I wasn't a blogger, much more a backpacker, then). What made me like Santa then was the view it offers to the passersby from the bus' window : tall hills on one side of the road and the seacoast on the other side. Another thing which made me awed with Santa was a bridge spanning a river separating two mountains, where the river opens up to the South China Sea in the west. It was really a fantastic view! Later, I learned that this bridge is called Banaoang Bridge (also known as Quirino Bridge) and serves as the boundary between the towns of Santa and Bantay.

Banaoang Bridge (Quirino Bridge)

A newer bridge was already built to replace Banaoang Bridge when it was partially destroyed by a storm in 2001. Though the old Banaoang Bridge was reconstructed, it is now seldom used and serves more of a tourist attraction. The bridge is best viewed from a viewing deck in Barrio Banaoang, Santa.

A Visit to a Town Called Santa Lucia

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

The sun is almost setting when I reached the town of Santa Lucia from Candon. I was already tired and would want to sleep but my mind is being kept awake by my desire to finish my itinerary, and have a view of the quiet and serene town known for its beautiful church.

Santa Lucia is the last Ilocos Sur town in my itinerary before I finally call it a day and go home to San Jose del Monte. I alighted the jeepney I was riding right at the front of Santa Lucia Municipal Hall, a simple but beautiful town hall. Just like what I used to do, I started my short walking tour of the town, observing and looking for anything that would pique my curiosity.

Santa Lucia Municipal Hall. Ilocos Sur.

The Heritage City of Candon

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

My Ilocos Sur townhopping is nearing its end when I finally got to reach the center of Southern Ilocos Sur : Candon. My travel from Vigan to this city has been very enjoyable because of the greeneries and sceneries I saw from the bus and after almost two hours, I finally saw the city's town hall which I considered a signal for me to alight from the bus.

Old Candon City Hall. Ilocos Sur.

The city hall can be found at the left side of the road if you are going to Manila from Vigan. Little did I know that the hall I assumed to be the city hall is the old town hall of Candon. I only found out about it when I researched about Candon for this post and discovered that a newer city hall was already built for the town. 

San Vicente : the Barrio Destined to Become a Town

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

In the northern boundary of Vigan lies a town unknown and unheard of to the many people who visits the famous heritage city. This town was once a barrio of Vigan known as Barrio Tuanong, but was converted to a municipality to better serve its folks, and now still waiting to be discovered by people.

I myself didn't know what to expect from San Vicente. As a townhopper who visits as many towns as possible in a day, I just included San Vicente in my itinerary without knowing and expecting anything about the town. I was surprised. So surprised.

San Vicente Welcome Arch. Ilocos Sur.

From Magsingal, I took a bus and after some minutes is back at Vigan. I bought some pasalubongs (bagnet and longganisa) and paid a visit to Simbahan a Bassit, and contracted the tricycle driver who brought me there to also bring me to San Vicente upon learning that it is just near. 

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"... :)

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.

Sinait : A Town of Legend

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

Sinait Church. Ilocos Sur.

From a short tour around Bantay, Ilocos Sur, the second town I visited the morning after my Abra town hopping is the town of Sinait, the northernmost town of Ilocos Sur. After Sinait comes the town of Badoc, which is already a part of Ilocos Norte province.

I alighted in front of the Sinait Municipal Park, located some steps away from the town church and the municipal hall. The park certainly needs some maintenance work but overall, is a nicely designed one.

A Blast from the Past : Ilocos Sur

I have been to Ilocos Sur years back but during that time, I was not yet a travel blogger and a backpacker. Even then, I was already fascinated by the different town church that we have passed by, and the greeneries and natural wonders one will see while on the bus.  I have imagined myself then going back to Ilocos Sur and do a town hopping. That imagination came to reality after four years.

Ilocos Sur Capitol

It was June 15, 2013 when I decided to have a backpacking conditioning because I will be backpacking Palawan for 4 days at the end of the month.  I chose to go to Abra and Ilocos Sur, given the fact that Abra is the only Cordilleran Province I am yet to visit then, and I have been planning to have a town hopping in Ilocos Sur since 2012. I first townhopped Abra in June 15 and the story about it can be found here : My Abra Townhopping.