The Backpack Adventures

Located in the municipality of Oas in the province of Albay, Oas Church is one of the oldest religious structures in the province. Oas Church Oas Church details Oas Church - Oas, Albay Oas Church is also known as St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church . It was founded in 1605 by Franciscan missionaries. The church was initially made from wood and cogon grass up until it was renovated in 1825. This time the church was built using bricks and volcanic rocks. Oas Church interior The view of the interior from the altar Oas Church altar Oas Church baptismal bowl The old stained windows are really stained The baptismal area of Oas Church The ruins at the back of Oas Church Oas Church was damaged by fire in 1866 and was rebuilt later in the same year. It was partially destroyed in 1884 by a strong earthquake. It didn't end there, in 1947 a strong typhoon damaged the church heavily that it had to be rebuilt. In 1997 the church underwent a major renova

Every year, I'm looking forward to bonding with my family during our Holy Week tradition of visiting old Spanish-era churches. This religious tradition is popularly known throughout the country as Visita Iglesia . 2015 Laguna - Quezon Visita Iglesia Adventure Last 2015, our destination is the Spanish-colonial era churches in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. I originally proposed and planned for us to go on a pilgrimage to the province of Pampanga however, two weeks before the trip other members of the family decided to join our Visita Iglesia trip. This meant that our group tripled in number and looking for a resort would become a major problem. Because of this reason, the plan was changed and we went with the Laguna - Quezon Visita Iglesia .  The pool of Felioni Spring Family Fun Resort On our first day, our two-car convoy moved from our home to link up with the third vehicle of the family at a gas station in the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). From there, we proceeded t

If you're planning to go on a pilgrimage or Visita Iglesia this Holy Week, then the best place to go to is the Pilgrim City itself. Naga City prides itself as the Heart of Bicol due to its location in the region. The city is also called Pilgrim City because it is home to the largest Marian pilgrimage in Asia which is the Our Lady of Penafrancia . 2014 Naga City Visita Iglesia This Visita Iglesia in Naga City  was part of the CamSur-Albay Road Trip that my family undertook last 2014. During our two-day stay in the city, we managed to visit most of its religious structures. Naga Metropolitan Cathedral   Since we stayed in Nagaland Hotel during our trip, the closest and first church we visited was the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral . It is also called as Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and informally the Naga Cathedral . It is a Romanesque Baroque structure made from coral stones and bricks that was built in 1575 and finished in 1579. Stained Glass de

February might be famously known as "Heart's Month" but it is also the month that we could enjoy the biggest aviation sports event in the country. Celebrated in Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga every second week of February, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is famously known as the fiesta for everything that flies. 20th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Details Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2016 - Angeles City, Pampanga This year's four-day event was held from February 11-14. It showcased a number of aerial exhibitions and ground events which were flocked by thousands of local and foreign tourists alike.  Got our tickets for this fiesta! The place has plenty of space to park your car A perfect way to start the event is the arrival of a flag-carrying skydiver with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem Hot Air Balloons getting ready for lift-off The Phi