Bantay Church and Bell Tower

Location: Bantay, Ilocos Sur

Travel Date: March 2, 2016

Time of Arrival: 5:30 PM

Time of Departure: 6:10 PM

Assigned Students: Buenconcejo, Johnedelle Vincent R.

BACKGROUND:

The Saint Augustine Parish Church, commonly known as Bantay Church, is

a Roman Catholic church in Bantay, Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. The church was
dedicated to St. Augustine of Hippo. It is also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of
Charity (Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad) housing the miraculous image
of Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Charity, crowned as the patroness of Ilocandia on
January 12, 1956.
The old historic belfry of the church known as the Bantay Tower, which
served as a watchtower for pirates back in the Spanish colonial era, gave the
town its name - bantay (meaning to guard). Established in 1590, the church is
one of the oldest in the Ilocos Region.
The church was heavily damaged during World War II and rebuilding was
started in 1950. The restored façade is of Neo-Gothicdesign mixed with pseudo-
Romanesque materials and elements. It is designed to be grandiose and
reminiscent of Spanish architecture. It uses materials such as bricks and mud.[1]
The belfry sits on a hilltop overlooking a green pasture and the province
of Abra. It was used as a watchtower for invading enemy forces during World
Wars I and II because of its strategic location. It was built in 1591. The Bantay
Church and bell tower are monumental witnesses to various atrocities and
uprisings.
This towering structure is one of the sights that should be visited by
travelers not only because of its historical and cultural significance but also
because of its commanding view of Vigan from the highest portion of it that can
be climbed. Some may even claim that they can see most of Ilocos Sur from this
bell tower. It is called the Bantay Belfry because it is located in the Bantay district
of Vigan along the national highway.
NARRATIVE DOCUMENTATION:
We arrived at Bantay Church at 5:30 PM in a very cloudy afternoon with
light rain. We went inside and prayed. Some offered and lit some candles. We
then went to the Bell Tower beside the church. We registered first and donated
some money before going inside. Even though we didn’t have the chance to
go inside the Bell Tower, we took a lot of pictures around the area. We can
almost see all of Bantay and maybe some parts of Vigan when we reach the
entrance of the Bell Tower. We left at 6:10 PM headed to Laoag City.

PICTURES: