Baras Church, Rizal
After our stop in Morong, we moved along towards the next town south-east. Cruising the Manila East Road, we had a short stop over at Baras, Rizal. This small and laidback town besides the shore of Laguna de Bai and nestled at the foothills of Sierra Madre, the town seems to be distant from the hustle and bustle of chaotic Manila. As we go farther, the scenery changes more to rustic. The smell of newly planted rice greeted us along the way.
The church is somewhat hidden from the main highway or the main road of the town proper. You need to ask the locals where it is but dropping yourself near the municipal hall would give you a short work towards the church.
Iglesia de San Geronimo de Morong
After that arduous ascend to the hidden Angono Petroglyphs up in the highlands of Binangonan, we drove down passing by Binangonan and Cardona towns. Next stop: Morong.
All of a sudden, from the dense towns of western Rizal province facing Metro Manila. After crossing the hills that divide Binangonan and Cardona, suddenly everything turned rustic and the old Tagalog beauty unfolds its green and yellow shade that blankets the hills and rice fields.
Rice fields abound while Laguna de Bai sits beyond the shores. The skyline of Morong fast approaches and the striking belfry of the church is a great scene.
Now, what seems to be interesting in this town? Except for its famed balaw-balaw side dish which I am about to explore sometime soon, the architectural marvel of Morong Church or Iglesia de San Geronimo. …continue reading
The Turtle and the rest of the petroglyphs
Whenever we say Angono, it is all about art and its famous son Carlos “Botong” Francisco. This town, some over 20 kilometers away from Manila, has been known for being an art center of the Philippines and the annual Festival of the Giants or Gigantes Festival held every 23rd of November. It seems that everything here is associated with art…that even their ancestors were already artists already!
Yeah! Our pre-Hispanic ancestors were also artists too! And guess what, its just near Angono, but technically it is part of Binangonan town in the province of Rizal. So, when you enter the area, you’ll be surprised by this politically correct signage, “The Angono Petroglyphs in Binangonan Rizal.” …continue reading
