The Backpack Adventures

Located in the town of Nagcarlan in the province of Laguna, Nagcarlan Church is a Spanish colonial-era church built in the 16th century. Nagcarlan Church Nagcarlan Church History Nagcarlan Church , also called San Bartolome Apostol Parish Church , was first built using light materials like nipa and wood in 1583. Father Tomas de Miranda , its first priest, dedicated the church to Saint Bartholomew . Fr. Miranda was also known for introducing the cultivation of wheat in the country.  Nagcarlan Church - San Bartolome Apostol Parish Church Nagcarlan Church bell tower Nagcarlan Church was rebuilt using stone and bricks under the term of Fr. Cristobal Torres in 1752. It was said that the stones and bricks used in building the church were offered by the faithful townspeople. The facade of Nagcarlan Church as seen from the side Nagcarlan Church NHI marker Sadly, Nagcarlan Church was partially destroyed by fire in 1781. It was quickly repaired and a few years late

Located in Tanggulan Street, Kawit in the province of Cavite, Kawit Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. Kawit Church Kawit Church History Also known as  St. Mary Magdalene Church , Kawit Church was constructed sometime in 1636 through the help of some Filipino families from the towns of Maragondon and Silang. The first church was built using wood and it was only in 1737 that it was reconstructed and became a stone church. Kawit Church / St. Mary Magdalene Church - Kawit, Cavite Kawit Church facade Kawit Church facade close up The NHI marker of Kawit Church Kawit Church altar and the side retablos Kawit Church interior Some statues of saints in the church One of the beautiful glass stained windows of the church  The main altar and the beautiful retablo  behind it Sadly, the church was greatly damaged by a strong typhoon in 1831. It didn't end there though, the church was almost destroyed during the Philippine-Amer

Located at the summit of Mount Samat in the town of Pilar in Bataan, Dambana ng Kagitingan also called Shrine of Valour   is a historical shrine built to honor and remember the Filipinos and American soldiers who fought for our freedom in World War 2. The shrine was designed by Lorenzo del Castillo and landscaped by Dolly Quimbo-Perez. Dambana ng Kagitingan Dambana ng Kagitingan History Also called  Mount Samat National Shrine , Dambana ng Kagitingan is famously known for the beautiful colonnade and the memorial cross that towers above Mt. Samat.  Dambana ng Kagitingan - Pilar, Bataan The towering cross has an elevator in it The history marker found at the lower part of the cross Speaking of the memorial cross, it is said that the cross is the second tallest cross in the world standing 92 meters tall atop the 555-meter Mt. Samat. At the base of the cross are marble slabs sculpted by National Artist Napoleon Abueva . Titled Nabiag Na Bato , these sculpted marble slabs dep