🇵🇭 CAOAYAN • Caoayan Bridge: of Scooter Stroll and Night Walking Tour

Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Monday, November 19, 2012 4

Stories of town explorations.

"I think it is safe enough to tell that I am not overrating the bridge because as I see people passing through the bridge, they too, stand amazed."

It was a motorbike stroll to Caoayan, a very small town south of the city of Vigan. My target is to see the Caoayan Bridge. I don't have any idea how it looks like but just because the RHU Physician of the said town suggested that I have to see it and photograph it, I waited for the sun to go down to finally see what the RHU doctor was telling me.

A Grand Entrance!

Caoayan Bridge was undoubtedly stunning.

The road I have to take while driving the scooter was not as bright as the scene I saw in the town. So upon making a left turn going to Caoayan poblacion, the boring night turned magical!

I can't resist my self to ride off the scooter and to just park it along the bridge and decide to just walk and enjoy the magic of the dark night!

The lights of the bridge made the dark night so bright.

It was indeed a grand entrance to the town. The ordinary bridge becomes extraordinary at night. Even some motorists and vehicle owners driving to Caoayan can't help but be amazed and to get off their rides and cars to take photos.

Quick Walking Tour

The inviting bridge has made me decide to just walk.

I think it is safe enough to tell that I am not overrating the bridge because as I see people passing through the bridge, they too, stand amazed. They get off their rides and take a photo while staying for a while to feel the magic it brings.

Caoayan Town Hall (Sorry for the wrong photo label)

I have crossed the bridge and the scooter-stroll-turned-walking-tour lead me to the Caoayan Municipal Hall. The town poblacion was really quiet. Some barbecue stalls around are still open. I was glad to see that a big investment has come to town when I saw a super-mart chain standing at the middle of the small town.

The municipal hall has been finished too! It's been a while since the last time I visited this town. The once small, old and not-so-good-looking municipal hall has transformed to a beautiful building!

Light reflections in my scooter's side mirror

It's nice to be back here. I discovered it has something new to offer aside from the popular barbecue stalls that are attracting foodies from the town and nearby towns.

The quick night walking tour in town was a quick reminder that I don't need to ride an airplane just to see great places because some of the great places are just actually near you.

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

All Batac HERITAGE Ilocos (Region 1) Ilocos Norte Itineraries Luzon Philippines Serious Post Walking Tour

🇵🇭 BATAC • City DIY Itinerary: One-Day Walking Tour to 5 Historical Sites

Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Wednesday, July 25, 2012 13

Stories of town explorations.

If you happen to pass by the city of Batac in Ilocos Norte on your way up north, this post might be for you. If you have a passion of discovering the history and the heritage of a place while you travel, this post will give you an idea about a piece of Philippine history as seen in Batac City. These 5 historical destinations in Batac will surely make you dig your history books.

Marcos Presidential Center and Mausoleum

Marcos Presidential Center is a museum dedicated for the Philippines' former president, Ferdinand Marcos who ruled the country for more than 2 decades.

This museum houses some works, memorabilia, etc of Ferdinand Marcos. But the highlight of visiting this museum is the Marcos Mausoleum wherein the remains of Marcos' body is displayed for public viewing. You can experience it with a 50-peso entrace fee. Just a warning, no camera is allowed inside the mausoleum

World Peace Center

Just a walking distance away from the Marcos Presidential Center westward is the World Peace Center. If you are a fanatic of vintage pictures depicting the life of a great man, then the World Peace Center is the place for you. World Peace Center in Batac houses a large indoor photo collage.

World Peace Center is also known as the Marcos Photo Gallery. In here, you will appreciate how a picture speak a thousand words.

There are no written guides or tour guides inside. Everything are just photos and looking at those photos alone, you will learn how great Ferdinand Marcos was. This photo gallery will surely give you a dose of information about the history of the Philippines in photos!

The World Peace Center is located near Chowking and Jollibee in Batac.

Aglipay Shrine | Iglesia Filipina Independiente

Batac is also the home of the Aglipay Shrine, a remarkable landmark that gave rise to Aglipayanism, a separate denomination from Roman Catholic tradition born of revolution.

This church was co-founded by Msgr. Gregorio Aglipay, a former Catholic priest who was excommunicated due to his support to the Philippine revolution. The remains of Aglipay is burried inside this church.

Batac Church | Immaculate Conception Church

A walking distance away from the Philippine Independent Church (Aglipay Church) is the Batac Church or known as the Immaculate Conception Church.

Batac Church's present appearance is a reconstruction. It was destroyed in 1620 and rebuilt in 1692. Its facade has been renovated recently, white-washed, and plastered with the original palitada.

General Ricarte National Shrine

Another leisure walk away from the Batac Church is the General Ricarte National Shrine which also compose a park and a museum. To reach this site, walk northward from the Batac Church.

The General Ricarte National Shrine was built in Batac, Ilocos Norte in honor of General Artemio Ricarte, a native of the town, who was known for being a revolutionary hero and an important personality in World War II.

It has a library and museum which showcased Ricarte's life through a number of his photographs and relics, and a collection of American and Japanese guns used in WWII. Well folks, these historical sites featured will serve as a teaser. There will be more stories about these heritage structures, more feelings and more experiences to be told. A separate post will be provided for each structure so it is not yet final...

These are the 5 historical sites in Batac City, Ilocos Norte that you should not miss. It is absolutely doable for 1 day.

Travel Guide and Tips | How to go to Batac City?

1. From Laoag: Ride a Manila-bound bus from Laoag then drop at Batac City. That's it!

Travel time is around 20-30 minutes.
Fare will be around 30-55 pesos depending on your bus of choice.

2. From Manila (Land Travel): Ride into a Laoag-bound bus and drop at Batac City.

Travel time is around 8-9 hours.
Fare will be around 700-800 depending on your bus of choice and inflation (LOL!)

Notes: You can finish the walking tour before lunch if you will start it at 9 am. For the museums, they open at 9 am, and for weekend backpackers, visiting some museums may not be for you because they tend to be closed for public during weekends.

After finishing the walking tour, you may head up north to Laoag/Pagudpud or down south to Vigan to spend the remaining time and the whole night. /end

This walking tour is my official entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival for the month of October with the theme WALKING TOUR hosted by Glenn Martinez of Traveler on Foot