The Backpack Adventures

Located in the town of Concepcion in the province of Tarlac, Concepcion Church is one of the Spanish-era churches of the province. Concepcion Church - Immaculate Conception Parish Concepcion Church History Concepcion Church is also referred to as the following;  Immaculate Conception Parish Church ,  Santuario de la Immaculada Concepcion , and  Shrine of the Immaculate Conception .  Concepcion Church - Concepcion, Tarlac Gotta love the brick finished Concepcion Church facade Concepcion Church bell tower Concepcion Church interior Concepcion Church was built in 1880 under the supervision of Father Guillermo Masnou. The original church has a Baroque style of architecture but was then renovated to its present Neo-Romanesque style in 1893 under the supervision of Father Fernando Vasquez. The altar is covered altar during Holy Week  The holy water font of Concepcion Church Concepcion Church interior as seen from the altar Concepcion Church facade is obvi

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 A. Luna Street, corner Timbol Street the town of Concepcion in the province of Tarlac, Aquino Ancestral House is an old Pre-war mansion owned by the (highly political) Aquino clan.  Aquino Ancestral House Aquino Ancestral House History The Aquino clan, as most of us know, is a political clan known for producing generations of politicians. The most famous (and last occupant of the house) is Benigno Aquino Jr. also called Ninoy by most. He is the senator turned martyr during the Marcos regime. His wife would then become the 11th President of the Philippines after his assassination and the subsequent  EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled Marcos from his seat of power. Several decades later his son Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III would become the 15th President of the Philippines. Aquino Ancestral House - Concepcion, Tarlac The house is surprisingly well maintained Aquino Ancestral House NHI Marker The beautiful maiden in the garden Check out the rooms i

Our mountaineering adventure today takes us to one of the most famous (and destructive) volcanoes in the Philippines - Mt. Pinatubo .  Mt. Pinatubo Mt. Pinatubo Details  Located in the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales, Mt. Pinatubo is actually a volcano that once stood at about 1,745 meters above sea level. However, its powerful 1991 eruption reduced it to almost half its size. It now stands 960 meters above sea level. Mt. Pinatubo - Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales Speaking of Mt. Pinatubo 's historical 1991 eruption, Here are some trivia about it. Prior to the 1991 eruption, the last recorded eruption of the volcano happened some 500+ years ago. Ash from the eruption is said to have reached as far north as Russia. Ash from the eruption damaged several airborne planes. Ash from the eruption also caused massive casualties and damages to the nearby provinces when it got mixed with rain from the monsoon season. This deadly mixture is known as  a lahar . Speaking