Home for the Holidays (Part 4): Towns of Ilocos - Sulvec, Santa Maria, San Esteban

- Dec. 29-30, 2023, Friday to Saturday.

- Ilocos has many small towns that are often ignored for a lot of reasons. Some include not being too accessible by public transport (as with many small towns in the Philippines), not having a lot of tourist attractions, being too far. However, given the opportunity, I think they have their own charm, with some even having places that are of historical or cultural value.

- After leaving Vigan on the 29th, we went to stay in Sulvec (a barangay in Narvacan) for a night in Sulvec Greece, a private resort. Since it was rare for me to have the chance to stay in a private resort, I took as many photos as I could before leaving the next day.

I mean....

It had its own Orthodox-style church. Mamma Mia vibes!

There was a giant German bible!

This is what the church looks like from outside.

Sunset in Sulvec.

Here we go again, my my.

A ship-shaped building.

Glowing toilet bowl.

- I had an early start the following day by visiting the Santa Maria Church in Santa Maria, which wasn't too far away from Sulvec. The church is one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites in the Philippines. This well-preserved Baroque church was built in the 1700s, although its history goes as far back as the 1500s when it was still a smaller church. This church is also unique as it sits on top of a hill, unlike other churches that are often located in wide spaces in the city center, with a plaza in front for people to congregate.

Stairs leading to the church.

Truly one of the most remarkable churches I've seen in the Philippines, though it may not be as huge as other churches.

Belltower.

Stairs at the back leading to the cemetery.

Yes, it was THAT hot. Also, notice the tiny full moon behind me!

Balcony.

Our Lady of Assumption.

Inside the Church.

- Later on, after breakfast, I had a short visit to the Sulvec Watch Tower, which was just a few steps away from Sulvec Greece. Most likely built in the late 1700s, this watchtower serves the purpose of any watchtower: to see if there is any danger approaching. My dad told me that the watch tower used to be in the middle of the shore, which made the view of the sea more interesting. At some point it was fenced within a residential area, and has been restored for visitors to see. However, the lot beside the tower has been occupied, so my dad said that it doesn't look as magnificent as it used to be. But anyway, I like this tower because visitors can visit the second and third floors!

Sulvec Watch Tower. It looks like a nice castle!

Feels medieval.

On the way to the viewing deck.

Humpty Dumpty.

I look like a Polly Pocket model.

- After lunch, we headed towards Bangar, passing by San Esteban's own watch tower. Here, the watchtower is smaller, but the viewing deck had binoculars!

It looks older than the one in Sulvec. This one was built in the 1500s.

Kindly read.

At the viewing deck. Didn't see any pirates.

- We also passed by the Mapisi Rock (or "Biak Na Bato", literally "broken rock", but not referring to the historically-significant "Biak-na-Bato" in Bulacan.) This place is just a few minutes away from the San Esteban Watch Tower. Currently it is undergoing some upgrades so people can appreciate the rock formations more (at least, I hope so, since the renovations look a bit tacky.) I appreciate it as an interesting natural landmark though.

Mapisi Rock.

I like what they did here, but you don't really get to appreciate that the rock was sliced in half because of the waves and other natural forces.

More rock formations.

Oh wow, a beach on the other side!

- Not long after, we reached Bangar, and I took the rest of the day off since I had a long day. However, I was happy to have seen other parts of Ilocos beyond the usual touristy spots!