The long drive from Quezon to Camarines Sur and onward to Albay, and then back again, became unexpectedly memorable not just for the landscapes but for the steady rhythm of bird sightings that unfolded along the way. We found ourselves stopping every time we saw birds perched on trees or lined along electric wires, turning what could have been a continuous trip into a series of brief pauses shaped by observation.
Tag: Philippines
Birdwatching at the Cabusao Wetlands
The visit to the Cabusao Wetlands in Camarines Sur took place at a time when most migratory birds had already left, so the number of species and individuals was limited. The area remained open and quiet, with shallow water, mudflats, and patches of vegetation typical of coastal wetlands. Despite the fewer sightings, the birds that were present allowed for clearer observation.
Aparri: The Northern Tip of Luzon Island
Aparri is located at the mouth of the Cagayan River where it meets the Babuyan Channel. Its position made it an important river port during the Spanish and American periods, serving as a link between inland areas of the Cagayan Valley and maritime trade routes.
San Pedro Telmo Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Aparri, Cagayan
The town of Aparri, situated at the mouth of the Cagayan River, developed early as an important coastal settlement during the Spanish period, and it was within this setting that the Parish of San Pedro Telmo was formally established in 1680 under the Dominican missionaries. Alongside this long-standing parish tradition is the devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, which led to the designation of the church as an archdiocesan shrine in more recent times.
San Jacinto de Polonia Church in Camalaniugan, Cagayan
Camalaniugan in Cagayan is one of the early Christian settlements in northern Luzon, and its present San Jacinto de Polonia Parish Church continues the parish established by Dominican missionaries in 1596. The current church was built after the earlier riverside structure became vulnerable to flooding and erosion, prompting the relocation of the parish site to a more secure area inland.
Lal-lo Church
Lal-lo, in the province of Cagayan, holds a quiet but significant place in Philippine history as the former Nueva Segovia, once the center of Spanish colonial administration and ecclesiastical authority in northern Luzon. Walking through the town today, there is little of the former grandeur that marked it as a colonial capital, yet its legacy remains embedded in one enduring structure, the Saint Dominic de Guzman Parish Church, more commonly known as Lal-lo Church.
St. Philomene Church in Alcala, Cagayan
Our eleventh church for our Visita Iglesia across Isabela and Cagayan brought us to St. Philomene Church in Alcala. Built during the Spanish colonial period and completed around 1881 under the direction of Fr. Casimiro Gonzales, the church reflects both the growth of the parish and the architectural ambitions of its time. The parish itself dates back to 1845, when Alcala was still a visita of Nassiping, adding another layer of history to the site.
Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat
The second day of our Visita Iglesia in Cagayan started in Piat at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat. It serves as a major religious center in northern Luzon and is widely recognized as the “Pilgrimage Center of Northeast Luzon,” largely because it houses the centuries-old image of Our Lady of Piat, a dark-toned Marian icon venerated by devotees across the region.
Iguig Church
Also known as the Saint James the Apostle Parish, the Iguig church stands on elevated ground overlooking the Cagayan River. Built between 1765 and 1787, it is characterized by its red brick construction and the presence of arched buttresses that support its structure.
Ermita de San Jacinto in Tuguegarao
The Ermita de San Jacinto in Tuguegarao was established in 1604 by Dominican missionaries as an early chapel serving the growing settlement. It predates the St. Peter Metropolitan Cathedral by about a century and is considered the oldest existing brick structure in the city. Originally a small visita, it functioned as a place of worship for residents before larger church structures were built.
Who is Fr. Antonio Lobato de Santo Tomas?
I saw a painting dedicated to Fr. Antonio Lobato de Santo Tomás, OP when I visited Tuguegarao Cathedral, and it immediately drew attention to a figure whose influence on the town runs deep. The artwork portrays the Dominican missionary presenting a model of the cathedral to a high-ranking Church official, a symbolic scene that reflects not only his role as a priest but also his lasting contributions as a builder and planner of Tuguegarao.
A Taste of Bicol at Balay sa Bikol
Tucked along a quiet street in Daraga, Albay, Balay sa Bikol does not immediately present itself as a typical restaurant. Finding it requires a short turn into a narrow lane, and that approach already sets the tone. The place feels less like a commercial dining spot and more like stepping into a lived-in ancestral home, where history quietly lingers in every corner.