The Philippines: 7 to go in ILOCOS NORTE (part 4)

http://blauearth.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/ilocos-norte-map.j

7 must-see destinations in Ilocos Norte
The tour in Ilocos Norte took us to 7 municipalities in the province.  We rented a van for a two-day tour of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, for $170.  The van comfortably seats 7 persons.  Contact number of the van operator is +639194746513.

In part 1 of this post, we have been to (1) Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos and (2) Wind Farm in Bangui.  In Part 2, we continued on the tour to the many attractions in (3) Pagudpud alone.  In Part 3, we moved on to (4) the Acrobatic Bell Tower in Bacarra and (5) Fort Ilocandia Resort and LaPaz Sand Dunes.

In this post, we write about the Church in Paoay and the coral formations in Currimao.


St. Augustine Church (Destination 6 of 7)
UNESCO Heritage Site
Paoay, Ilocos Norte

The St. Augustine Church in Paoay is an UNESCO Heritage site, one of the four "Baroque Churches of the Philippines" (the other three are located in Intramuros Manila, Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur, and Miag-ao in Iloilo) to be inscribed in 1993 because "their unique architectural style is a reinterpretation of European Baroque by Chinese and Philippine craftsmen".

St. Augustine Church, Paoay

"The church was started by the Augustinian Fr. Antonio Estavillo in 1694. It was completed in 1710 and rededicated in 1896, just three years before the expulsion of Spanish rule in the country. The style of the church has been dubbed “Earthquake Baroque” by Alicia Coseteng, one of the early authorities on colonial church architecture. Because the buttresses extend out considerably from the exterior walls, the entire visual experience becomes three-dimensional, unlike most of the churches in the country where the inherent beauty of the church is limited only at the facade." (Read More: Heritage Conservation Society: on Earthquake Baroque: Paoay Church in the Ilocos) "

Coral rock formations (Destination 7 of 7)
Currimao, Ilocos Norte

Thirty minutes from Paoay church, we went to Currimao where the famous coral rock formations are found. This is also a location scene for the shooting of a local movie years ago.

Coral rock formations in Currimao

"Almost miraculously rising from the crystal clear waters; reaching heights of more than 12 feet (they can provide shades at noontime); these jagged monuments are of the same material that has been used to build massive baroque churches in the region” (Ilocos Norte: A travel guide book; II Ed; 2005).

This was our last destination in Ilocos Norte.  From Currimao, we went on to the Heritage City of Vigan in Ilocos Sur.