Saturday, March 10, 2018

MUST-SEE: Pilgrimage Destinations in Ilocos

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By Angelika Jeanne Carreon

Devoted Catholics are about to observe their Holy Week on the last week of March, until the first day of April. And as Filipinos remember the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, they reflect on it through different rites and rituals.
One of the most common practice done in the Philippines during Lenten season is the pilgrimage, or a journey to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion.
And if you are looking for a pilgrimage destination, take Ilocos into consideration. As it is not just a famous tourist destination, but also a must-visit during the Holy Week.
In Burgos, Ilocos Norte, is where the well-known Kapurpurawan rock formations are found. Just an hour drive from Laoag City, and you will be blessed to see the visually appealing creations of nature.



  
From an Ilocano term “puraw”, which means white, Kapurpurawan rock formations comprise of creamy white massive rocks that attract the tourists, and makes them want to come back.
There is also a wind farm with huge turbines that surround the place, and horses to ride on are available when touring around.




But aside from its primary attractions, Burgos, Ilocos Norte also broadened its ranges for the Holy Week season as it includes Stations of the Cross along the hills that stand 30-feet tall, and a grotto of the Virgin Mary located on its crest.



“Sa lahat ng napuntahan namin, talagang parang ito ang maganda ang view,” a pilgrim visiting the place said.
Another tourists and devotees’ picks for pilgrimage are the chapels and floating cottages set on the boundary of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.
La Virgen Milagrosa chapel in Badoc, Ilocos Norte and Santo Cristo Milagroso chapel in Sinait, Ilocos Sur are the known chapels in the North to be found along the coast. 

La Virgen Milagrosa Chapel, Badoc, Ilocos Norte
Santo Cristo Milagroso, Sinait, Ilocos Sur

They were established on a coastline since it is believed that a fisherman found an afloat box with the images of La Virgen Milagrosa and Santo Cristo Milagroso in that boundary during 1620. These chapels are open for the pilgrims and tourists every day for the Holy Week.
In addition to these chapels, another tourist attraction of this place is the floating cottage that is made out of bamboos and hays, with plastic drums as its floaters.
Rentals for the floating cottages are about P500 for every 4 hours, and P100 for every one-hour extension. 15-20 persons are the maximum capacity per floating cottage.





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