The Backpack Adventures

Located in the town of Orani in the province of Bataan, Orani Church is a Roman Catholic Church built during the Spanish Colonial period in the Philippines. Orani Church Orani Church history Also known as  Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish Church   and  Nuestra Senora del Rosario Parish Church , Orani Church was said to be built sometime in the 1600s. The first structure was constructed using nipa leaves and bamboo. It is probably comparable to an open-sided tent than the church structures we have now.    Orani Church - Orani, Bataan Orani Church facade and the Museo ng Mahal na Birhen Maria Orani Church entrance arch Check out the very detailed church door design The first church was under the Parish of Samal until formally becoming an independent parish on April 21, 1714. It was then reconstructed using adobe and stone as well as a sturdier roofing material. However, like everything else, the church deteriorated through time. Decades after its reconstruction, t

Annually, during the Holy Week, my family goes out of town to visit several old Spanish Churches. This pilgrimage is known here in the Philippines as Visita Iglesia . 2016 Bataan - Tarlac Visita Iglesia In the past few years, we went to Visita Iglesia in the provinces in Southern Luzon. For a change, we decided to have our pilgrimage in Western and Central Luzon this year. Please do read on and check out our Bataan - Tarlac Visita Iglesia .  The First Line of Defense Marker Our trip officially started in Pasay City very early Maundy Thursday. Our convoy of three cars reached North Luzon Express Way or NLEX in less than an hour. However, it took us almost four hours to reach the San Fernando Exit due to the multitude of cars also heading north. From the exit, we reached our first church after another hour. Hermosa Church  - Hermosa, Bataan Our first church was the century-old Hermosa Church in the town of Hermosa in Bataan. Established in 1717, Hermosa Church is a

Located in the town of Morong in the province of Bataan, Morong Church is one of the several Spanish-era churches in the province. Morong Church Morong Church History Not to be confused with the similarly named church in the province of Rizal, Morong Church is also known and called  Our Lady of the Pillar Church . Built during the Spanish colonial era centuries ago, the church is actually one of the oldest in the province. It was said that it was made from the coral stones taken from the nearby seas near the town.   Morong Church - Morong, Bataan Morong Church facade Morong Church as seen from the plaza in front of it. Speaking about being one of the oldest in the province (Abucay Church is the oldest in Bataan), in my opinion, Morong Church actually looks older than the other churches that I have seen and visited in the province during our Visita Iglesia this year. It is due to the fact that compared to the churches in Hermosa and Orani, the facade of Morong Church

Located at the summit of Mount Samat in the town of Pilar in Bataan, Dambana ng Kagitingan also called Shrine of Valour   is a historical shrine built to honor and remember the Filipinos and American soldiers who fought for our freedom in World War 2. The shrine was designed by Lorenzo del Castillo and landscaped by Dolly Quimbo-Perez. Dambana ng Kagitingan Dambana ng Kagitingan History Also called  Mount Samat National Shrine , Dambana ng Kagitingan is famously known for the beautiful colonnade and the memorial cross that towers above Mt. Samat.  Dambana ng Kagitingan - Pilar, Bataan The towering cross has an elevator in it The history marker found at the lower part of the cross Speaking of the memorial cross, it is said that the cross is the second tallest cross in the world standing 92 meters tall atop the 555-meter Mt. Samat. At the base of the cross are marble slabs sculpted by National Artist Napoleon Abueva . Titled Nabiag Na Bato , these sculpted marble slabs dep