For those moviebuffs, Iriga City is associated with Philippine Cinema's Superstar Nora Aunor who was born and raised there. And if you happen to chat with Irigañon's, they could very well say that the diminutive superstar was their claim to fame.However, superstars do fade but this City continues to strive and shine in their own way. Known as the City of Springs , this city has more than thirty natural springs providing a rich source of drinking and irrigation waters. Its most prominent natural landmark, Mt. Iriga , is a favorite mountain climbing destination of local moutaineers and hikers.
Too bad I wasn't in a backpack-mode that time that I could only visit some landmarks in passing and most notable of these is the Iriga Church. Locally known as St. Anthony Padua Church, the first church was burned in 1585. The second church was damaged by a typhoon and destroyed by fire. The third church was constructed in 1727 but was also burned in 1841. The present church together with two belfries was constructed shortly afterwards.
More than the facade, the interiors of this church is truly amazing with its decorated ceilings and stained glasses. Moreso, there are several beautiful paintings hanging in the church's walls. And after attending mass, you may want to spend sometime in Tinagba Park located just in front of the church. Here are some photos:
How to go there? By Air, from Manila to the Pili Airport is a 45 to 1 hour travel. Iriga can be reached within 30 minute by jeep or by bus. From Legazpi, which is 55 minutes from Manila, Iriga is still an other 45-minute ride.
By Land, there are more than twenty aircon bus companies plying the Manila-Iriga route daily, covering some 400 kilometers and a 10-hour ride, These bus companies have their respective booking offices at the City Aircon Terminal in Iriga and strategic places in Metro Manila.
You may also opt to ride by train. PNR still serves the Bicolanos as the safest mode of transportion to Iriga. This is the railway system that made Iriga the center of trade and commerce for its neighboring towns of Baao, Bato, Buhi and Nabua.
More churches of Bicol in my next posts.
17 took the journey:
wla ka pa sa mood nyan? what is exactly in a backpack mode?
where was your base when you visited albay?
Oman: Those were some great photos of the trip, thanks for sharing it.
astig! ang dami mo palang napuntahang simbahan. gusto yung picture na kasama sa background ang mt iriga.
i remembered that park and that church. you gave justice to those places.. ganda eh. Ü
never knew that pholippines has train (except metro in manila)!!!
I am inviting everyone to visit my travel blog!
Re post: Iriga is a good-one-stop visit when do a tour of Bicol Region.
bumuli ka na ba uli ng camera bro ? Nice, crisp photos !
Iriga - di ba yan ang hometown in Nora Aunor? yikes.
The clear sky complemented your photos. Cool shots of the interiors too.
Mukhang maganda yung interior nung church although mukhang di luma yung harapan.
Nice church. kakaiba ang front view nya
Beautiful, bright sky! I like the church building, too--very nice.
ang kulet ng harapan ng church--may maliit na facade then pwede pumasok yung mga sasakyan---parang hotel lang.hehehe
gosh! it's such a shame, i;m from Bicol and I don't even know this church! haha
the next time i go home, i will visit ur page, you seem to have explored bicol more than i have.
ive been in and around bicol but im not sure if ive ever stopped in iriga. :D
church interiors remind me so much of st james church inside ayala alabang. though the ceilings (designed in coffers) is typically european.
Whoa, that church is huge
Interesting church. Is there a car park in there? I think I saw a car in there.
Great pictures. A small correction, though: the people of Iriga City are called Irigueños, not Irigañons.
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