Stories Covering " Paoay "
Showing posts with label Paoay. Show all posts

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Stories of town explorations.
"I am thinking, when should I do it? When I become old? No, I should do it now that I still have the chance and the strength."

That day marked another milestone in my life. It was a hobby turned into a necessity, a basic need. I think about it daily. It always occupies a part of my daily life thinking for my next journey. I keep looking at my map everyday and I keep researching for tourist attractions in town. I am obligating myself that it is my role to encourage everyone to appreciate our towns and not just to focus more on the popular tourist attractions.


And yes, this was the day that I took a greater leap of faith. I decided to start a solo motorcycle journey. It was  a test of courage and faith. I found out that I can make it!

Some are against with this and I understand their rationale. But I can't resist it. I am thinking, when should I do it? When I become old? No, I should do it now that I still have the chance and the strength.

It took me about 170 kilometers. It looks risky but that is all in mind. I learned new tricks, and the more I do it, the more I mastered the art of driving solo with a motorbike along the highway. It felt good.

Suba Sand Dunes of Paoay, Ilocos Norte
I think this is just a teaser for a greater adventure waiting for me. I know I am now quite ready to do a longer motorbike backpacking around Luzon, but yes, that solo motorcycle journey gave me confidence to go. Suba Sand Dunes is just one of the stops. I went beyond that, I went far. It felt good.

I know I am not yet fully equipped, but this first solo motorcycle journey of 170 kilometers is a signal that I can make it and I will pursue the "dream" in due time.
NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.
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Stories of town explorations.
"Quite strange that a church where the religion of the people rests and focused is the recipient of a multicultural influence that even Buddhist influences, Chinese and others have played a part of its existence."

The charm and grandeur is really pleasing to the beholder's eye but behind the elating architectural beauty is an interesting mixture of different cultures and beliefs.

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Location Highlighted in Red
A church in the north and a living testimony of the rich culture of the Ilocanos and on how the Ilocanos can adapt to different cultures and blend them as one in the face of one structure for the religion, the Paoay Church, or formally known as the St. Augustine Church.
Quite strange that a church where the religion of the people rests and focused is the recipient of a multicultural influence that even Buddhist influences, Chinese and others have played a part to its existence.
That what makes Paoay Church a national treasure as declared by former president Ferdinand Marcos who was born in the same province where the church is located [Ilocos Norte].
The belfry is impressively massive and the most interesting feature in this belfry is that it is made up of coral stones and it is located few meters away from the church. In 1898, during a Philippine revolution, this bell tower made of coral stones was used by the Katipuneros as an observation post as well by the guerrillas during Japanese invasion to the Philippines. It was not just for religious purposes but it was also used as an asset for war, an event that the church discourages. However this war is a symbol of Filipino patriotism that can never be compared to any other county but the thing is, a church is helping somebody to pursue a war, very ironic isn't it? Paoay church is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Sta. Maria Church which is also located in Ilocos. The church is currently, under the property of the Diocese of Laoag, Ilocos Norte. The Augustinian friars in 1694 started the construction of the church and was completed in 1894 - that is 200 years in the making! Imagine that!
The bell tower of the church, according to historians, was also a status symbol of people in the area and the bell tower rings louder when a wedding by a prominent clan is happening and for those poor people, it rings less loud.
The system was part of the society and this system is a thing that the church also discourages because the church today promotes equality between the rich and the poor. First it was a tool for a war for patriotism and this one, a reflection of social hierarchy and inequality.
In fact, during an excavation that was done inside the church in 2000, a prehistoric human skeleton and fragmented ceramics were discovered. The remains were now housed at the National Museum.
The church was made of baked bricks, coral rocks, salbot (tree sap) and lumber. Massive buttresses 24 in quantity support the church and that was the architectural solution for a church located in a typhoon-prone area.
This church truly has a lot of twists that can never be compared to any other church in the world and truly the worth of this church is of a universal value being listed in the UNESCO. It needs to be protected and be preserved because it is a pride and an emblem of culture and history in this northern part of the Philippine Archipelago.
In Fr. Pedro Galende's book, he described the massiveness of the structure is balanced by its grace and fluidity. The church adapts the pyramidal design of the baroque style. Its details are inspired from by seal of Saint Agustine, the emblem of the king of Spain, the logo of the Pope, the “init-tao” or the sun god, and stylized Chinese clouds. In a certain distance away from the church, the belfry rises with glory and magnificence in term of beauty and architecture. The three-storey coral-made tower is a witness and evidence of the rich culture and history of the place that has survived the wars, natural calamities and the evil plans of those who had in bad faith.
What makes it multicultural is that the design is a mixture of Chinese, Javanese, European, local and other influences like Buddhism, Chinese, the Earthquake Baroque architecture and Ilocano. The church has given me a sense of national pride and a puzzle in mind because of conflicting interests which all happened in that one structure, The culture, the war cry, the social status, the patriotism and name them, they all happened under the vicinity of one structure and that is the Paoay Church.
NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.
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Stories of town explorations.
"The mysteries linked to Paoay Lake have been a part of the wholeness of the lake and without those stories, the lake is not complete."

The lake is covered by mysteries and urban legend. The origin is linked with stories that have been passed from generation to generations. It was once a barangay [smallest political unit in the Philippines] buried under feet of water - a community filled with wicked people. Despite of a warning coming from an old woman, the residents have ignored the warning until the community has been punished and eventually submerged beneath the waters.

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That is how the legend describes the origin of the lake.

The lake is actually mystical. Some fishermen tell that they have been catching fishes with "gold rings."

Yes, gold rings placed somewhere else at the mouth of the fresh-catch fish as a testament of the lavish and extravagant lifestyle of the people who once lived there and submerged by a massive rainfall that flooded the village. The lake is really filled with a lot of stories and undocumented claims.

Perhaps, the most talked about attraction in the town of Paoay, Ilocos Norte is the mystical Paoay Lake. It is undoubtedly a very beautiful inland lake and has been declared as a National Park on June 21, 1969 which was from then called the Paoay Lake National Park.

The lake is very calm. In spite of the gradually speeding up movement of the countryside breeze, the waters seemed like untouched only creating meager wavelets that are heading toward the shoreline.

A supernatural force somewhat protects and maintains the calmness of this lake. The shoreline is also interesting. It is in a brown color and surprisingly, it was not muddy at all, it was sandy in brown color which is, not that so usual.

Even the natural features create a boggle in mind.


The Fort Ilocandia Golf and Country Club Overlooking the Paoay Lake
Paoay Lake is now becoming a famous tourists attraction/spot in Ilocos Norte and its surrounding area is filled with amenities and facilities for tourists such as the Fort Ilocandia Golf and Country Club located at the same town.

The inland freshwater lake has an area of 470 hectares and it is 3 kilometers away from the sea in Suba, Paoay. 

The freshwater from the lake also supports 300 farmers of the surrounding communities and it serves as an irrigation to water their crops.

Out from those urban legend and stories that cover the lake, it is safe to say that Paoay Lake is an asset and the mysteries behind the lake make it as beautiful as it could be.

The mysteries linked to Paoay Lake have been a part of the wholeness of the lake and without those stories, the lake is not complete.

The stories that have been passed for years has made Paoay Lake its identity in our contemporary time for without those mysteries, Paoay Lake is incomplete because the mystical lake has been known and been made famous through the legends.

The mysteries, myth and legends have no certain answer but it will remain as a mystery - a mystery that really makes the lake pretty and interesting in the eyes of everyone. If I am to be asked, let those legends remain to be a myth and how I wish it has no answer at all. Just let it be... Simply, it makes the Lake interesting.

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.
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