Saturday, July 13, 2013

Exploring Philippines 130 - Laguna Loop (Post 1 - Siniloan and Panguil Churches)

Ayo and I went to Siniloan, Laguna and explored the falls there.  We fall short of our time allotment and half a day of exploration was not enough.  We were not able to cover the whole place.

After some time, Ayo, Jay, and I planned for another Laguna trip.  That time around, we were planning for a roadtrip and explore the different towns of Laguna.  We called our roadtrip “Laguna loop.”

When the day came for our trip, Ayo was not able to make it because of some important concerns that could not wait.  Even if there were only the two of us left, we pushed through with the planned trip because it would be now or never.

We rode at the terminal of Raymond Transit at Legarda before 8am.  Our drop off point was at the bus terminal in the boundary of Famy and Siniloan, the same drop-off point from my first visit in this part of Laguna.  From there, we took a tricycle ride towards the town proper of Siniloan and went directly to Peter and Paul church.  We were glad that there was no mass that time and the church was open.  And we took our sweet shooting inside the church because there were only few parishioners who came to pray.

Afterwards, we asked for some directions where to take our next ride towards the next town.  We were directed by a local policeman towards a corner near the covered court.  There is a jeepney terminal and the waiting time is dependent on the availability of passengers.  The moment all the seats are occupied, that’s the time for the jeepney to leave. 

From the town of Siniloan, we took a jeepney towards the town of Panguil.  From the start of our trip, we had no idea in mind what to expect along the way.  Since we agreed not to gather any details and activities in the possible places that we will pass, we just wait for the surprises to happen.

From the town proper of Siniloan to the town of Panguil, we passed through an open space where it was totally covered in green.  That time, the rice fields were all planted and the greenery was a relaxing avenue for the eyes.  Even if it was high noon, the countryside wind provided a refreshing moment.

We asked the driver to drop us at the town’s church.  By the way, there are two roads that connect the towns of Siniloan and Panguil and some other towns also.  The wide road is a highway, a faster route within the Laguna loop.  The small one is an access to the town.  The jeepneys would use the small road because of the location of the town.  In the event that there are festivities, the highway is the alternate route and road that leads to the town is closed.

When we entered the church in Panguil, there were several teenagers who were busy making decors and another group was practicing a number for the upcoming town fiesta celebration.  We asked an altar boy if it is possible to go up to the bell tower.  He was kind to ask permission in our behalf and we were glad that our request was granted.  He and the rest of his friends accompanied us to the bell tower.

For Catholic churches, especially in the rural areas, it is a common thing for a church to have a bell tower and huge bells that are centuries old.   In the province, it is oftentimes easier to ask permission to visit these bell towers compared to the churches in the city.  And most of the time, you can have the place all by yourself as long as you wish to stay, just like our experience here at Panguil.

After spending some time at the bell tower being accompanied by the altar boys who got curious about our picture taking activity, we asked for some possible tourist attraction in this town.  They told us to take a ride at the nearest tricycle terminal, just outside the church, and the driver will take us to the Panguil River Eco Park.


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