on my last day in the island of Bantayan, i made sure to visit its small town. i was looking forward to see the church which is more than 400years old when it was first built.so i rented a motorbike that's good for 2hours to drive along the highway with a driver but i decided to drive it myself. i just asked them for the directions going there. the direction was simply to drive along the highway until i reach the town plaza.
so i gave my ID and signed a waiver to assure that i will be responsible if something happens to the motorbike. they gave me a slightly used Honda XRM. lucky! lucky! so i'll name this machine "Honx". and off i go with Honx.
out on a long highway leaving the municapality of Sta. Fe. after 23minutes, i was now approaching the town of Bantayan and finally reached the town plaza. the town was so silent, there were few people walking on the streets even though it was 12:10 noon on a Tuesday.
took a round at its small plaza and parked at the church entrance on the side. the church is indeed old but beautiful. it was built in 1580 but was burned by rebels in the 1600. it was rebuilt and now it stands at the town's center.
it is called St. Peter and St. Paul church or simply Bantayan church. i like it because they maintained its original structure which is made up of limestones.
the church interior displays a typical Spanish era church with beautiful tiles and old wooden benches. 
the bantayan actually means a "guarding" or "sentinel". because the island used to have guard towers that protects its town. it was destroyed but its name has retained. just in front of the church is the town plaza. 
the town plaza has a basketaball court, a Philippine flag and a statue of our national hero. it is surrounded with small and big shops. there's one huge multi-purpose hall on one side. 
didn't have much time to visit the villages, so i took Honx and drive our way back to Sta. Fe. the next time i visit the town, i hope that it will retain its simplicity.
66 comments:
kainggit ka naman. thats one of the places na gusto kong mapuntahan dito sa pinas. for a while we've been talking of an alternative route in going to that place.
ganda talaga ng mga old churches sa atin... sana mapreserve pa sila lalo :)
belated sa father mo ha? :)
Beautiful photographs. Looks like a very interesting place to visit.
wonderful pictures!!! Did you happen to go into the underground river in Palawan? I did once and i have no pictures inside the caves. Hope you will so i can look at your pictures and reminisce. Very good skill in photography!
The tiles in the church are just beautiful! I can't wait to see photos of the villages from your next trip.
ang gaganda ang mga pictures.
ang kalsada is so serene. parang way to mala-heaven na paraiso
Gosh I want to see this place too...
So you also love to travel. I love to travel rin eh. :)
How much lahat ang expenses ng vacation mo here? I would love to go here on my vacation.:)
I find that the church is very amazing!
I love the old churches photos--as always all great and thanks for sharing dong.
Have a great week! =)
road, street pics are my faves. well churches and you captured them well.
>abou, maganda talaga doon. not sure kung merong alternative route. malamang meron kaya lang baka mas expensive depended kung saan kayo mangagagling.
>hi lalaine, maganda talaga lalo na yung mga lumang luma. yon nga lang ang nakakalungkot kasi yung iba binabago na at rinerenovate. nasisira ang natural look.
thanks! belated happy father's day na rin sa tatay mo.
>hi carver, yes. it's a peaceful town.
>hi em, never visited the underground river in palawan. maybe in soon. but i can recommend you blogs that features palawan just check it on my blogroll > lawstude, ironwulf and lagalog. marami pang ibang blog. thanks for dropping by.
>hi karen, yes. the tiles adds a classic effect to the church.
>hi nanay belen, tama ka dyan. when i was driving along the highway parang ako ang may ari kasi konti lang yung bumabyahe.
>hi equi, yes. i enjoy traveling. i highly recommend you to visit Bantayan. there are beautiful things that my camera can't capture to explain how beautiful this island is.
we are backpackers so you can expect a cheap budget. we only spent P2,500 there plus the airfare from Manila (not including the Cebu City expense). cost can vary as we went there on an off peak season (not on a weekend).
luke, yes. it's a nice old church.
>hi rebecca, thanks! the philippine's is truly blessed with these churches.
>photocache, thanks! so im sure you also love traveling.
More beauty. We love visiting all the old churches wherever we are.
Thanks for the tour of Bantayan--it's beautiful, with its pristine waters and green areas! Hope I can go there someday, mga ancestors ko daw dyan galing eh. Gotta visit...
>hi sandy, i hope you can visit the philippines as we have churches built in the 1500.
>hi ia, sana nga makapunta ka. you might as well visit your ancestors/relatives in this island. you won't regret!
wow! beautiful island! u from cebu? i'm working here in cebu but i haven't been there! my officemates are planning to visit the island but i don't think i can join them. hehe.
BTW, thanks for dropping by my site! hope to hear from u again!
how much lahat expense mo? Plan ko kasi next trip ko sa Anwagan, Zambales eh. Although I might post here rin photos nung nagpunta kame ng Tawi-Tawi.. Nice sya super...
:) Beautiful shots, Dong! The church is really old yet it's still a beautiful site to look at.
i love this post. i love churches and when i travel i usually see to it that i visit their church.
our country is really rich in terms of religious structures. amazing pics dong.
your narrative reminds me of my own determination to locate street names bearing mine in some cities i've been to. haha.
I've been to this church at Cebu island - whitewashed and beside this huge field. Too bad I wasn't able to go in to take pictures.
I shld backpack again. Cheers!
with those old churches, it simply reflects how devoted to our faith we filipinos are...
astig ng Honx mo ah! ganda pala ng mga simbahan dito. ayos sa roadtrip ah.
a vivid masterpiece.!what else can I say, ur one of the best..!.share mo naman ung ISO and aperture mode settings mo:D
ahh, punta rin ako dyan and kukuha rin ako ng ganito, he he..
congrats nga pala, naboto rin kita:) w/ or not, u r already a winner.
ang ganda ng simbahan, ah
yan naman maganda sa Pinas
daming astig na simbahan
thanks for the links! I checked out lawstud...and yup he's been there but no pictures inside the cave...just the entrance.
Thanks again
Church photos are really nice to see..... Good work.... Church seems to be too old right? What about that bike? Is it yours dude?
Thanks for adding me....
san ba ang adventure pagkatapos nito?
>beero, thanks! im not from cebu. in your case you really need to visit it. if you only know how beautiful it is and how cheap it is to go there compared to other nice places in manila.
sama ka na sa mga officemates mo. astig na island! my next target if i had the chance to visit cebu is camotes island.
>equi, wow! i think tawi tawi will be a very interesting post. i've seen many pohotos of anawangin and it's really beautiful there.
total expense in bantayan was only P2,500 (maximum) plus the airfare (which varies depending on season and flight time).
>hi aisha, thanks! the chruch is really nice.
>lawstude, thanks! we are indeed blessed with these churches. what's good is people flock there on Sundays unlike in other countries where less and less people visit it.
>sho, wow! really you've been to cebu already? when was that? maybe you were referring to the Sto. Nino church. tell me when you go back to the philippines. i might be able to help you get around the country.
>me mangyan, true! kaya blessed din tayo in many ways.
>hi rayts, hehehe... ayos nga si honx. bagong bago pa nung ginamit ko kasi temporary pa ang plaka. this church is old and beautiful.
>josh, hehehe... maraming salamat! regarding aperture and ISO yet kasi point and shoot pa lang ang ginagamit ko. wala pa akong masyadong alam dun. pero bibili rin ako in time.
dapat talaga na makapunta ka dyan. hindi ka magsisisi.
>raft3r, astig talaga. ito ang isa sa mga kayamanan ng pinas.
>hi em, thanks! im glad you appreciate the photos. im sure you'll like it more when you get to see it in person.
>selerines, the church is about 400years old although it was destroyed and rebuilt. i rented the bike. thanks for dropping by.
>kingdaddyrich, next ay batangas. balik luzon na.
bakit honx? hehehe. mangialam daw ba vanny? hehe..
wow. astig yung old church. sana makapapunta kame ni moomy dun! :d
oh, malaking isla pala yan? may simbahan kasi...
so balik ka na ng manila ngayon?
ako patapos na rin ng bakasyon...
wow kuya dong! tagal ko na din di nakabalik! Hectic ang third year! Kahit first week palang! Pero dahil sa mga pics mo, OK na ulit ako jeje Sana makarating din me jan!
Glad that extended ang eskapo! God BLess po! Hope to see you soon on Cavite Daily Photo!
Steven^^
wow! sobrang ganda ng mga pics! i have my cam na so magpapaturo na rin ako sayo once i get acquainted with that cam. tinititigan ko palang sya ngayon eh.. paturo ha?
>hi vanny, hehehe... bakit honx? simple lang kasi maganda yung tunog nya. sa word na "honk" ko binase ang honx. ginawa ko lang honx para cool ang dating.
oo nga sana makapunta rin kayo dito. maganda din daw ang malapascua at camotes.
>jasper, oo malaking isla ito at hindi ko nga naikot ang buong isla kasi medyo malayo na yung isang municapality (madridejos).
nasa manila na ako since last week. inisa isa ko lang ang mga pinuntahan kong lugar sa bantayan.
oo nga. lapit nang matapos ang bakasyon mo. inaabangan namin ang iba mong napuntahan.
>steven, no problem. focus ka sa pag aaral mo. medyo critical na nga ang third year.
extended kasi may mga naiwan pa akong pictures ng byahe sa cebu at syempre ang batangas trip.
>ifoundme, astig ah! kaya lang dslr ba yan? wala pa ako masyadong alam dyan. pero marami namang magagaling dito tulad nina ironwulf, oggie at roadworthyman. ano nga palang model at brand ang nabili mo?
Dong, Cebu was 2004!
I managed to dig up the links of for my previous job.
http://saint2003away.blogspot.com/2004_11_01_archive.html
We had tons of pictures of the mountain hike, river trekking, etc.
but I only put them 3. I miss the islands. Have you been to any islands in Thailand?
Manila
http://saint2003away.blogspot.com/2005_11_01_archive.html
This was with the Interact Club which I had tagged along to assist my female colleagues as they needed a male presence to mind the male charges.
Until the dust settles (literally) here back home, I will then only be able to travel again, hopefully towrads the end of the year.
stanley ho (sho)
Very good description of your trip and excellent photos!
The church is absolutely magnificent.
I envy you and your Honx :) The church has the ancient beauty of time...and your photos make it justice. It sure seems to be a beautiful corner of the world!
Hey Dong, would like to exchange links with you! :D
The church is beautiful. Imagine it has been standing there for hundreds of years already. Thank you for sharing more of this beautiful place.
That is so awesome! it reminds me just how new the city I live in is. I think the oldest building is from the mid to late 1800's.
>stanley, wow! what an adventure! i did hiking once in cebu but my photos were not yet digital. looks like you really had fun when you were in the philippines. i just checked your photos and you did help out in gawad kalinga projects. thanks to that!
haven't been to thailand yet but i've heard so much about it. my dream island in thailand is phi phi island.
i hope the dust will settle down soon.
>pietro, there's a lot of these churches around the philippines. most of which were built during the spanish era.
>l.reis, thanks! i really enjoyed my time with honx even though it was really hot because it was noon time. i love this island.
>hi aisha, sure. thanks!
>hi rachel, yes. the people here did not just preserved the corals of virgin islands but the church as well. sadly the old towers were destroyed.
my pleasure to share the experience.
>hi emily, it was during the spanish era when people here were evangelized and led the people to build churhces all around the philippines. you'll see these types of churches on old cities and towns of the philippines.
your city is indeed a new city.
this is the type of blog that i totally relate to. nice photos. nice articles. nice places. wonderful nature. this is one heck refreshing blog! keep up!
hi dong... i was amazed by your travel blog dude... been to cebu islands before but haven't seen the places you've been to. i love it. i love your photographs. wow! more travel, more posts. i'll look forward to that dude...
>islander, thanks! you also have a nice travel blog. im looking forward to plan to davao and surigao next year.
>olan, maraming salamat! pero ganda din pala talaga dyan. i need to prepare myself for my future trips. mindanao might be in the priority list for next year.
Dong, sorry nakalimutan ko mag-comment kahapon, kala ko naka-comment na ako. nagbasa lang pala. maaga kasi akong nagpahinga.
swerte ni honx. hehehe. i love the 13th picture most! masarap mamasyal sa isang lugar na tahmik no? na medyo walang tao pero hindi naman malungkot.
i voted u pala. i tried to vote you and lawstude at the same time. pwede naman pala. goodluck! am looking forward to your next adventure. nakapagpagaan ng utak at puso.
Nice travel blog of yours. Thanks for visiting my blog. I would read your older posts when I am free.
ang ganda ng lumang simbahan...ano palang camera ang gamit mo? ang ganda ng labas eh
>redlan, no problem. swerte din ako kay honx kasi bagong bago pa. temporary pa nga ang plaka. yang mga lugar na semi-private ang gusto ko pero enjoy din naman ako kahit sa mga lugar na maraming tao. maraming salamat sa pagboto.
>alicesg, thanks for dropping by.
>wanderingcommuter, salamat. im using a sony dsc-p150. it's a point and shoot camera with 7.2megapixel. medyo lumang model at obsolete na rin yata. but i enjoy using it. it has been with me for almost 3years now.
Nice kuya talaga... ano bang gamit mong Camera? ANg ganda ng kuha!
i wish i could read all your new posts but i have limited time.=[
anywayz, i had the chance to glance at your shots. and again, two thumbs up!=] hehe. sana mapuntahan ko rin yung mga places na yon..
next adventure ko?
sure!
that would involve my house and workplace. ha, ha..
meaning, boring na naman.
>richard, it's a sony dsc-p150. i don't know if it is still available kasi medyo luma na ang model. im sure other point and shoot digital cameras from sony released recently can do much better.
>hi bid yan, thanks for dropping by. im sure you're busy now with your studies. i miss your posts.
>jasper, hahaha... balik trabaho na nga. dami pa rin namang adventure kahit sa trabaho at sa buhay mo dun. hehehe...
Great shots of the Bantayan Church. Aside from the beautiful beaches, the locals are also very friendly. A truly wonderful place!
paano ang settings ng camera mo? manual setting ba gamit o automatic mode...ang ganda kasi ng photo qulity..
wow! you definitely collect a lot of memories doon:) thanks for sharing the whole experience with us...at least, I felt like I was there too! awesome!
>luna, i agree with that! in fact i learned it from a travel book saying that the locals are very friendly. and i tested it there, and they indeed are.
>dakilang islander, the digicam that im using has several options (just like most of the digicams have) like sunlight, cloudy or for long exposure. i just set it to the specific mode but most of the time, i only use automatic.
>hi salamat, yes. because i really had a great time in bantayan. there's so many things that you can appreciate.
Yes Tawi-Tawi is magical.. I will try to post some of the photos in my blog :)
Thanks for the motorcycle ride and tour. The church is beautiful. I especially like the statue of the pilgrim holding the traditional staff and gourd. Maybe someday you will walk the Camino in Spain.
The post on the fishermen gives us a good picture of how it is.
>hi equi, magical and dangerous! looking forward to those pictures.
>hi dina, i hope so! that would be one great experience.
ang galing! magisa ka lang ni locate yung church? adventure!
a good place that can increase the inspiration for all of us ..
thank you for this excellent info, I would like to visit there.
beautiful, beautiful, interesting ... that's no good at these places .. I like that.
I like it, and I'm sure everyone would like to place this good, I was eager to visit it for the sake of my family happy.
Thank you for everything you have shown to us, you will definitely experience I use to soon come and visit this nice place.
very good, the quality of the natural beauty of incredible ..
really beautiful and very fitting for my soon to visit.
bantayan is the best!!!
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