Visita Iglesia in Nueva Ecija

As I went up north, I found out that there's still remaining heritage church within the rice-producing province of Nueva Ecija. So on one weekend, I rode Baliwag bus at Caloocan bound to San Jose City where I started my church visit.

1. Cathedral of St. Joseph the Worker
This cathedral located at San Jose City is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose in the Philippines, that has jurisdiction on parishes at the northern part of Nueva Ecija. The lofty façade has asymmetrical look where belfry is found only at one side. 

Diocese of San Jose de Nueva Ecija
Dioecesis Sancti Iosephi in Insulis Philippinis
Diyosesis ng San Jose, Nueva Ecija

2. San Sebastian the Martyr Parish 

The modern-looking church across the public plaza of Science City of Muñoz has an octagonal entrance with patron saint's niche above it. 

3. Saint Isidore the Worker Parish

The Roman Catholic church at Talavera is laced with bricks and located right across the municipal hall.

4. Cathedral of Saint Nicholas Of Tolentine

The main parish of Cabanatuan City, which is now heavily renovated is located at the city center, facing the plaza where General Antonio Luna was assasinated. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cabanatuan, that has jurisdiction on parishes at the southern part of Nueva Ecija.  

Diocese of Cabanatuan
Dioecesis Cabanatuanensis
Diyosesis ng Cabanatuan

5. Saint Bartholomew Parish

Few kilometers from the main highway lies the church of San Leonardo. The interesting story within this church is that the statue of Saint Bartholomew made the vicinity invisible to bombers during World War 2. Hence, this was the reason why the town suffered less damage on that time.

During Lenten Season, some churches cover the altar's Crucified Christ with purple cloth.

6. Saint Rose of Lima Parish

Located at the town center of Santa Rosa, it has a striking façade as well as gorgeous ceiling made of wood with geometric patterns. The altar is beautifully adorned with gold paint and wood arrangement.

7. National Shrine of Virgen La Divina Pastora

The heritage City of Gapan hosts the Parish Church of the Three Kings. This edifice, surrounded by colonial houses, is considered the oldest and biggest colonial church in Nueva Ecija. Established in 1595, the church exudes Baroque architecture and primarily made of limestone and bricks. Venerated here is the image of the La Virgen Divina Pastora, the object of the largest Marian pilgrimages in Central Luzon.

Side projection

Renovated main altar

Restored dome painting

La Virgen Divina Pastora

The Three Kings

The original Three Kings Statues used to be found in the side altar until each
 of them was taken care by different families. Only this picture hanged at the
churchyard was the reminder of the patrons.
(Source: http://andalltheangelsandsaints.blogspot.com/2010/06/14-three-kings-of-gapan-nueva-ecija.html)

Nueva Ecija Route (north to south): San Jose City-Science City of Muñoz-Talavera-Cabanatuan City-Santa Rosa-San Leonardo-Gapan City

Have a blessed visita iglesia everyone!

DAVAO CITY: Foodtrip and pasalubong

Davao City has vast fruit markets selling fresh produce such as mangosteen and pomelo but among them, Durian, the 'king' of fruits, dominates. I visited some homegrown restaurants and tasted their specialties. Here are the following items in my little foodtrip: 

1. Durian Bibingka

I've tasted different kinds of steamed ricecakes, but this one is unique, as they infused durian in it. Imagine when I went out of cathedral after attending morning mass, I followed the unique smell. The churchgoers then led me to this vendor. I immediately bought a piece and it was heaven in a bite!

2. Durian Candy

Before going back home, I made sure to bring with me sweet delicacies especially these candies from Davao's famous maker, Lola Abon's. My former officemate led me to this and we're glad we made it before closing time.

3. Durian Halo-Halo

Their famous local halo-halo topped with homemade durian ice cream is very refreshing. No wonder they opened branches like this in SM Lanang Premier. 

4. Durian Sans Rival

Commuting within the city can be tricky but with the help of locals, I was able to locate this dessert place. It was then packed with diners, but I waited for my turn to eat their specialty. That slice of sans rival with crunchy meringue layers, cream and pistachio bits was made flavorful with kick of durian. Somewhat unusual but delicious. 

5. Kinutil at Puto Maya

Most public markets in Visayas and Mindanao have breakfast stall called painitan (from root word init meaning heat). Hence, from what I read in a blog, I searched the Bangkerohan Public Market and sat at this stall to order local favorites. The hot chocolate drink mixed with coconut tuddy or tuba, a native liquor extracted from coconut trees will surely invigorate you for the whole day. Gulp it with a slice of puto maya for a sticky breakfast.

6. Lugaw at Tokwa't Baboy

This homegrown restaurant serves the best snack pairs in Davao City. The plain white rice porridge is mixed with pork-tofu combo akin to chopped lechon. I took this meal for lunch.

7. Grilled Tuna Belly

It was not a splurge but to eat something this good is a great reward for exploring the destination of your dream. Tuna grilled to perfection with pickles on the side made my lunch with a smile.

8. Mangosteen Candy

Another product from Lola Abon's is this mangosteen candy. I bought few packs of these for my loved ones.

As I said earlier, Davao has freshest fruits sold in their markets that's why they brought some back home. In my case, I bought a pomelo and mangosteen fruits to eat as snacks while exploring the city.

Trinkets from Davao at cheaper price. Some were bought a a souvenir shop in Philippine Eagle Center.

You can always but native products at their pasalubong center located within Davao City proper. :)

NOTE: Davao City was grouped under Province of Davao del Sur for convenience, as it was geographically located in it.

NEGROS ORIENTAL: Foodtrip and Pasalubong

The eastern half of Negros Island has some specialties to offer, some of which owes to sugar industry where lands used to be tilled. Here are some treat you can take home from this province:

1. Sans Rival

The pride of Dumaguete, this pastry is made basically of meringue sandwiched with cream and butter and showered with cashew nuts. Sliced akin to loaves of bread, this light dessert is perfect with coffee to satisfy your buttery cravings. I took a slice and at first bite, the cream seeps in to your taste buds as it was served chilled. I finished the slice in a minute and felt like I want to ask for more. However, I need to try the second item.

2. Silvana

This sister of sans rival is a cookie made also of meringue but filled with butter and cream. It is chewier and best eaten chilled, closer to ice cream sandwich. Once you took a bite, you won’t stop to take or eat a box of these. I’ve tasted ones from Nueva Ecija and guaranteed their milky goodness. Can’t help to take more but I have to buy other delicacies as well.

3. Budbod Kabog

This rolled millet rice cake from Tanjay City is their specialty. Millet, a kind of round grain is made into these sticky cakes and a common staple for breakfast in public markets in Negros. There rice cakes are more expensive than common glutinous rice varieties but the texture is different. The taste varies as it is not too sweet, perfect with a slice of ripe mangoesf and chocolate drink for a fulfilling breakfast.

4. Inato Pecho

Visayans have several ways of grilling chicken like inasal and inato. Lately I found out that Dumaguete is the birthplace of famous Jo’s Chicken Inato. This barbecue, grilled to a tender-juicy crisp, is marinated in a special sauce for its aromatic flavor, and served with atchara or picked papaya. Their single serving is big enough to make you full. Couple with unlimited rice, I enjoyed every bite and left nothing but little inedible chicken bones.

5. Barquiron

Barquiron is a fusion of two delicacies: barquillos (wafer rolls) and polvoron (powdered milk candy). Polvoron is put in every wafer roll and packed. The taste is light as sweetness of polvoron overpowers the plain flavor if barquillo. It is a perfert pasalubong for people who enjoy these two-treats-in-one package. 

NEGROS ORIENTAL: Walking Tour at Dumaguete City

 

It was a fine Sunday morning when I arrived at the port from Siquijor. I walked by the bay passing the good old Silliman University, city’s largest university that occupies the northern part.

Silliman University seen from Dumaguete Bay

Silliman Gate Markers at Hibbard Avenue

Silliman Chapel

You can see the oldest building within it near the port: Silliman Hall or officially known as Silliman Anthropology Museum. It has an exhibit of artifacts and archaeological findings, some dating 2,000 years and an ethnographic collection from minority tribes in the Philippines. Silliman Hall is in itself a cultural relic of old America.

Next stop is the Rizal Boulevard named after our national hero, who came from exile in Dapitan, had a stopover here to operate the eye of former head of Negros Occidental.

A landmark at one part of the boulevard is the marker where Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres landed at the bay to establish the first educational and medical institutions in the city.

Walking towards the cathedral is the Quezon Park celebrating its centennial, graced by Rizal monument.

Nearby is the city hall flanked by central schools, which has a colonial stone house motif.


Across the Quezon Park are the two famous landmarks of the city:

The Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish known as Dumaguete Cathedral is the flagship Catholic church within the city. Regarded as the oldest stone church in Negros, it was originally built in 1754 with coral stones like in Siquijor churches. The reconstruction started in 1585 up to 1936. Nowadays, many modern renovations have been incorporated in the interior and exterior of the church.

The most famous landmark is the Campanario de Dumaguete or simply the bell tower located a few meters away from the cathedral. It was initially built in 1811 as a lookout to forewarn locals of any incoming danger brought about by Muslim pirates. This is the oldest bell tower in the Visayas. Hence, its name was derived from Cebuano word dumagit meaning "to snatch".

Famished after the day’s walk, I took at hot cup of milk at a painitan (breakfast stall) within the public market and bought some budbod kabog (rolled millet rice cakes), a famous delicacy from Tanjay City.

Before leaving Dumaguete, my trip won’t be complete without tasting their famous desserts: sans rival and silvana served at Sans Rival Bistro. The café is already packed with patrons lining up to take home these sweet treats.

I took a quick lunch from the main branch of Jo’s Chicken Inato, a famous chicken barbecue chain that originated here in Dumaguete.

'Til next time Dumaguete! (n_n)

NEXT: NEGROS ORIENTAL: Foodtrip and Pasalubong