My World#63 Basilica of St. Martin de Tours, Taal, Batangas

This is one of the churches that I'd really like to visit again someday soon. It is impressive not only in its size but also in its design inside and outside. I shall post more photos of this church in my next posts.





Basilica of St. Martin , Bishop of Tours is the largest church in Asia, stands 96 meters long and 45 meters wide. The Augustinian Missionaries started construction in 1756, It was destroyed when Taal volcano erupted in 1754 and it took a century for the church to achieve its present form. San Martin de Tours is the patron of Taal, whose feast is celebrated every November 11. Its façade is baroque and consists of a single mass of stone shaped into rich complex designs. The church, however, is a fusion of styles with arched openings, alternating segmental canopies and arches of assymmetric shapes. The church was made into a basilica on December 8, 1954. It was declared a national shrine on January 16, 1974 by a Presidential Decree No. 375.
(credit: wikipedia)


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Skywatch#23 The Skies of Araw ng Dabaw

The skies alternated from overcast gray to clear blue during the Araw ng Dabaw celebration a few days ago. I was hoping for some rains (which came two days after the celebration) to ease the sweltering heat but also was praying for clear weather to not ruin the week-long celebration. But nature has its own schedule, so they say. The rain never came, instead it came days after the celebration. Meantime, we had these changing skies.

This was a bouquet being held by a cheerdancer while performing in the Cheerdance contest for Araw ng Dabaw celebration.


Inside People's Park with the sculptures of Davao sculptor, Kublai Millan, scattered all over the area. This sculpture shows two kids walking on wooden stilts.


Participants of Bugle & Lyle Competition on parade.

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My World#62 73rd Araw ng Dabaw Celebration

Today is the culmination of the week-long celebration of the 73rd Araw ng Dabaw Celebration, our city's foundation day. There are several events such as the the socio-civic parade and the cheerdance contest.

Here are some of the pictures of the cheerdance contest which I took last Saturday:

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Skywatch#22 Marlboro Country, Batanes

This place is called Marlboro Country by tourists who came to Batanes. But for the locals, this place is their "rakuh-a-payaman" or just "payaman", the communal pastureland.

Payaman is located at the town of Uyugan, Batanes. Overlooking the farm fields and the Pacific Ocean, it has spectacular views of the surrounding area particularly the lighthouse of Mahatao and Mt. Iraya.

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My World#61 Basilica of Immaculate Conception, Batangas City

Phiplippine Churches #5 (Part 2 of Basilica of Immaculate Conception)

In my previous entry for My world, I showed the facade of Basilica of Immaculate Conception, one of the oldest churches located at Batangas City. For this post, I am going to show some pictures I took inside the church.

Altar of Basilica of Immaculate Conception

Aisle with the tainted glasses by the elevated platform at the doors of the Basilica. The platform was provided for the church choir.  For a closer look of the tainted glasses, go here.

One of the frescoes painted on the ceiling of the Basilica.

The Pieta at the side altar of the Basilica.

One of the wall paintings of the Basilica.

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Skywatch#21 Loboc River, Bohol

The skies were cloudy but sunny when I returned to Loboc River after several years. It used to be that this river named Luay-Loboc River in Bohol has only the locals who used it for transportation, fishing, laundry and bathing. But now, Loboc River has become one of the must-see tourist destinations in the island of Bohol.

Years ago, there was just one floating restaurant that ply along the winding river. The town of Loboc itself was a sleepy town more known for its centuries-old Loboc Church and its priceless ancient religious artifacts and for the locals, for its inland market village.

However, tourists started coming in droves and the one floating restaurant increased in numbers along with the number of tourists that came from all over the country and the world. Seeing them in droves actually took me by surprise.

The Loboc Children's Choir as well as the singers of the Loboc floating restaurants added more popularity to the town.

My only hope and prayer that the river will stay as clean as it was years ago inspite of the tourist influx. In that way, people can still see the local kids who like to jump ala-Tarzan from the tall coconut trees to the river.


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My World#60 Basilica of Immaculate Concepcion, Batangas City

Philippine Churches#5

The holy week is nearing fast and one of the traditions still being practised in the Philippines is to attend at least seven churches especially on Holy Friday. So, I shall be featuring more Philippine churches for this month in relation to this practise.

The  Basilica of Immaculate Conception is located at Batangas City. It is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines and was constructed in 1581.

Throughout the years, the basilica has undergone several renovations. Its convent was added with its own artillery to fight off sea pirates.

This is the marker (in Tagalog) located near the door of the basilica.

This is statue of an archangel which is located at the right facade of the church.

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