Timmangtang Rock Formation, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

We had an overnight stay in Pagudpud.  It was already about 8 pm when we reached the place however, even in the dark, the silhouette of the beach was so peaceful and welcoming. We settled in for the night and the next day, we left Pagudpud by about 9 am.

On our way back, we spotted a large solitary rock formation by the coast.  We were excited to stop by to get a closer look of this seemingly mysterious rock. Incidentally, when I went down on our vehicle, i have spotted another rock formation with a hole which was located side by side with that big rock that we saw. Since it was not really very far, I have seen some people by that other rock.

There was a marker that said Timmangtang Rock, hence the name of the rock that we were approaching.  I am an Ilocana and with what I know about "tangtang", it means bell. I tried to research further, and indeed, it got it's name from a bell. Accordingly, they say that the rock formation was shaped like a bell.  To me, I had no inclination on how it appeared like a bell because it didn't.  The other rock was called Bantay Abot Rock formation.

Timmangtang rock stands majestically a few meters away from Bantay Abot caves. It is located along the shore and partly by the sea. You cannot separate Bantay Abot Cave from the Timmantang Rock for they are believed to be lovers, the former being the female and the later is the male. They are collectively termed as “Lover’s Rock”. This rock is bell-shaped, hence the name Timmantang. The rock is covered with grass and bushes. (Timmangtang Rock)

Bantay Abot means “a mountain with a hole.” A hole was found at the middle of the mountain where the waves were free to flash into its walls just like an open shore until it was wrecked by an earthquake during the 80’s. It is also called “the underground sea” for on top of the cave is a lustrous vegetative cover. Inside the cave is a church that once you are inside, you do not only hear the echoing sound of the waves, the chirping of the birds but you can also feel the cool breeze of the air. It is a favorite hangout of swallows that swarm to their roost in the late afternoon. It is a very unique creation partly surrounded by the clear blue sea. Its shore has white sand mixed with fragments of shells and rocks that can be made as a décor. Parts of the shore are forms of rocks where you can sit and relax and enjoy a lucid view of the wide sea and verdant mountains.(Bantay Abot)

It's just so nice seeing a lot of places. You get to learn more of their history, the must-see places that they offer plus the experiences that you gain out of it. With the natural beauties offered on hand, you tend to appreciate these wonders which you will never get from the comforts of your home.  Indeed, I dreamed of going to Ilocos Norte some day and I did.  The travel may have been long but it was really worth it! However, I still plan to go back there once again soon because there were still a lot of places that I missed to see.

Bacarra Church and Belltower, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte

The brochure that we got from the Visitor's Center in Burgos, Ilocos Norte has helped us find our way to the St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Church (Bacarra Church).  If not for this, we could not have seen it.  This church together with the tower and the convent were constructed by the Augustinian Friars in 1593 and was inaugurated in 1782. 

Historical Marker of the Church

This church has been damaged several times and the last of which was in 1983 when it was hit by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

St. Andrew Parish (Bacarra Church)

The church facade was originally of Baroque architecture.

Inside the Bacarra Church

Side of the church facing the Belltower

The Belltower

Its bell tower, more popularly known as “Torre Ti Bacarra” or “torre”, was the town's most prized heritage. It was constructed by Fr. Bergier, OSA in 1828. It stood 50 meters high with three storeys. It has a 16 x 16 meter base that gradually narrows at the top. Topping it is a heavy bronze bell.

On 19 March 1931, the feast of Saint Joseph, the bell tower suffered its first major destruction. An earthquake caused the tower to have a leaning posture from the earthquake for more than half a century. The locals called it the “Bowing Belltower of Bacarra” while the tourists referred to it as the “Leaning Tower of the North.” In 1971, another earthquake further deformed the tower, yet the ruins attracted even more tourists. After the earthquake, the tower was preserved by placing support on the walls of the remaining structure. In 1981 and on 17 August 1983, another earthquake occurred and the tower finally gave way and was left with its present flattened top.

In 1973, the tower became a national cultural treasure according to Presidential Decree 260.(Bacarra Belltower)

Fallen Debris of the Belltower

Because of its domeless structure brought about by the earthquake in 1983, it has earned its title "The Dignified Domeless Belltower in Asia". 

Beside the church is the Museo de Bacarra which was recently opened to the public, however, when we went there, it was closed.

Bacarra Church Museum

Bangui Windmills, Bangui, Ilocos Norte

There were two reasons why my friend really wanted to visit Ilocos Norte: first she wanted to see the Paoay Church and second was to see the Bangui windmills. With only these two in mind, we really had no idea where to head to except to these places.  Dennis has researched about Ilocos Norte, after we went to Vigan in 2012, however, what I can remember with what he mentioned was the Juan Luna Shrine in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. He said that it was just about an hour trip from Vigan. Our trips back then were basically visiting historical spots and places of historical significance. With this, I knew that this was not their cup of tea.  We were just tag-alongs so I could not force my issue. 

We stopped by Vigan, Ilocos Sur for a wonderful experience of a lunch in a carinderia, after which we continued on with our journey. In about an hour, finally, we were already in our place of destination. Everybody got excited when we saw the marker of Ilocos Norte.  Of course, we had pictures taken by that marker.  It was not really that dangerous taking pictures in the middle of the highway because there were less vehicles going towards the tip of Northern Philippines.  Aside from that, there was also an usher who would signal us if a vehicle was approaching.

We went to Paoay Church first and then headed on to the Bangui windmills. It was almost sun down when we approached Bangui, Ilocos Norte.  Actually, I fell asleep on our way going to Bangui but I woke up because I sensed that we were going downhill so fast and my friend, Gemma, cautioned his son who was driving, not to drive so fast. I woke up with the beautiful sight of gigantic windmills lined along the shore. I got awestruck by its size and magnificence. Now, I was seeing for real what I just used to see on pictures.

Sunset by the Bangui Windmills

Bangui Windmills

 

From my research, it was in 1990 when former Governor Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aggressively pursued to develop a power plant in Ilocos Norte due to power outages.  A wind resources analysis was done by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and identified Bangui as an amenable site for wind power installation. Each windmill has a height of 70 meters with 41-meter blades. The Northwind power Development, a Danish power firm have supplied the wind turbine units. The windmills supply about 40% of the needs of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative. I have observed that they are still on the process of adding more windmills and I have also seen how big the size of a piece of blade.

Miniature Windmills

Although these windmills are serving Ilocos Norte as a source of their electricity, for the general public, it is a must see tourist destination. This attraction is open to the public with no admission fees. There were no gates. The seashore was not sand, instead it small stones and gravels. It is evident that this spot has also served as business opportunity for the townspeople because there were spots there where they sell souvenir items such as miniature windmills, accessories as well as t-shirts. It was almost 6 pm when we left Bangui Windmills. While on our way back to the van, I still took one last look at the beautiful sunset.

The next day, we spotted a tourist center. We were able to get a copy of the brochure of Ilocos Norte.  From here, we were able to plan for the other "must-see" places in Ilocos Norte before heading home.  The tourist center also served as a view deck of the Bangui windmills.  From afar, you can't really help but to appreciate its beauty.  Near or far, the Bangui windmills is really an attraction that you should not miss when heading towards the northern tip of the Philippines.