The Backpack Adventures

Located in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, the church was built in the 1590s. Bantay Church  also is known as St. Augustine Parish Church is considered one of the oldest in Ilocos Sur. The church was named after St. Augustine the patron saint of the Augustinian Friars. Bantay Church Bantay Church details Looking closely at detail one's curious eye can see that the facade's structural design is visibly neo-classical combined with pseudo-romanesque elements. However, when you enter the edifice you would notice that the interior had been renovated and modern-day metal frames and posts are used to support its aluminum roof. Bantay Church and its beautiful belfry Bantay Church brick facade Bantay Church historical marker Bantay Church belltower Bantay Church Interior My beautiful wife at the tower What makes this church unique is the picturesque belfry located on the hilltop several meters away. The famous belfry of Bantay Church had been used by the Spanish,

Our adventure today takes us about 400 kilometers northwest of Kilometer 0 in Manila. Vigan City , the capital of Ilocos Sur, was recently converted into a component city last January 21, 2001. Aside from that, Vigan was also listed as one of the World Heritage Sites in the Philippines by UNESCO. Vigan City Vigan City details So what's unique with Vigan City ? Imagine yourself living during the Spanish Colonial days when the kalesa (horse-drawn carriages) rules the cobblestone streets and century-old houses, not buildings, conquered the landscape. Vigan City offers you the same colonial-era backdrop minus the people walking around with DSLRs and GoPros. Team Nicerio visits Vigan City Vigan City details Vigan City was earlier known as "Ciudad Fernandina" during the Spanish Era. However, the origin of the city's name is said to come from different sources. Some say it came from the Chinese word "Bee Gan" or beautiful shore. While others say that it came