Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Capping-Off at Nabua

Bicol has some of the most fascinating churches in the Philippines and I was so lucky to experience and see some of then during this Albay - Camarines Sur - Camarines Norte road trip. Some of them have the best facade but plain interiors while some have simple facade but amazing interiors. But the Holy Cross Church of Nabua has both, from the amazing red-bricked exterior to its wooden and polished exteriors, a perfect church to cap-off this tour.

It was almost past seven when we reached Nabua and while it is true that night time presents a wonderful opportunity for night shots, but I do not have my tripod that time so a decent long-expo shot was definitely out of the question :). So other than a few blurry facade shot, let me just share to you some shots of the interiors. For a daytime view of the church, please check out this blog.

The first Nabua Church in Nabua, Camarines Sur was built in 1578 and was burned in 1610. The second church was constructed in 1611 and was destroyed by typhoon. The third church was erected between 1630 and 1656. The present church which was completed in 1700 was unroofed by a typhoon in 1875 but repaired in 1878. The belfry was damaged by an earthquake in 1850 but repaired between 1890 and 1894. (source: wikipilipinas.org).

Holy Cross Church of Nabua


From Altar to Ceiling


Wooden-Inspired Interior


Old Lady Offering a Prayer


Wooden Ceiling


The Beautiful Altar


From the Inside Looking Out


How to go there? By plane: From Manila, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines/PAL Express flies to Pili Airport. Alternatively, you may fly to Legaspi City airport in Albay. Both flights take about an hour. Vans and jeepneys are available from the airport to Nabua.

By bus: You can go to Cubao Terminal or Pasay Bus Terminal where buses going to Naga can be found. Buses operate daily going to Bicol. Some of the buses in Cubao Terminal are Gold Line Tours,Isarog Lines, RSL, Raymond, Peñafrancia Tours, etc. In Pasay are the Amihan Bus and Philtranco.

17 took the journey:

Chyng said...

you are right, this church has a good facade, and a great interior.
di hamak na mas promising pa yan kesa sa Notre Dame Cathedral in vietnam.. Ü

Pat said...

Beautiful statue. Bicol sounds like a lovely town.

foongpc said...

Nice church with wooden ceiling! Love it : )

alicesg said...

Very beautiful church. The night scene of the church is amazing.

witsandnuts said...

The first time I learned about Nabua. The altar is beautiful. You're lucky to be visiting several churches.

Trotter said...

Hi Norman! Fabulous shots!! Wonderful church with a stunning altar...

Blogtrotter Two managed to get inside a cave and take pictures there; enjoy the mites and tites and have a great week!

Photo Cache said...

the interiors is so lavishly decorated.

pusang kalye said...

what I like about you is that you go to places where no blogger has ever been before or that no other blogger has even bothered to make an article about. I think you are profiling the whole Philippines. Idol kita esp sa church photography. hehe

pusang kalye said...

what I like about you is that you go to places where no blogger has ever been before or that no other blogger has even bothered to make an article about. I think you are profiling the whole Philippines. Idol kita esp sa church photography. hehe

dong ho said...

among the churches that youve visited in bicol, i like this the most. im a fan of brick churches.

fufu said...

oh my goodness... so different!!! this reminds me that i used to check out the churches in europe when i first backpack there in 2007...but after couples of weeks... i was bored with cathedral, catholic, methodist, etc churches lol

KRIS JASPER said...

great pics attorney! Beautiful interiors, the altar looks like a mini church inside.

bw said...

beautiful interiors indeed. Nice shots.

Raft3r said...

really nice!

happy sunday, lawstude!

I am Xprosaic said...

Parang umiilaw ang effect nung cross sa second pic... hehehehhehee... nice shots as always...

Andy B. said...

I haven't seen a red-bricked church yet. I hope to visit the Holy Cross Church of Nabua some day.

vinzent said...

This is one beautiful church interiors. Although I must say that the front shot looks shaky. Peace.