Can you identify these old buildings and ruins? Include them in your travel itinerary in the Philippines..

Can you identify these old buildings and ruins?  Include them in your travel itinerary in the Philippines.

Dr Abe V Rotor 

Old buildings and ruins speak of the past and tell us about our history.  We hope  that after the pandemic crisis we will have the chance to visit them. And if you happen to be passing near these landmarks, take time out, visit them, ponder on their significance. Read their markers if any, ask those who are from the place. And if you have a guidebook, trace their origin and their association with past events. How many of these old buildings and ruins can you recognize? Write the appropriate caption under each photo. Write a story about this experience.

Clue: A huge pier built by the Americans during the Commonwealth era, but was never put to use, even during the second world war. The tip of the pier is still visible.

Clue: A harmonious blend of Western and Oriental architecture, this church is a hybrid of two worlds, dichotomous cultures, and eras - ancient and colonial; a living monument distinctly unique from European structures then, its ramparts and minarets showing influences of ancient religions in Asia, and South America, the Aztecs and Mayans, which were later - like the Philippines - subjugated by Spain.

Clue: 17th century church, houses the second biggest bell in Asia. A replica of the bell is part of a museum accessible on the ground floor of the church's convent.

Clue: Classical chapel of one of the most respected universities in the Philippines, in Asia for that matter, home of the Jesuits.  The chapel is on the second floor of the main building of the Sacred Heart Novitiate. 

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Clue: These are residential buildings preserved to this day, arranged in rows and intersections as they stood for hundreds of years, favorite tourists destination. The only remaining original Spanish settlement in the Philippines. (Photo c. 2000)

Clue: Frieze carved from limestone, graces the columns of an old church's entrance, reminiscent of European Renaissance, definitely of strong Greco-Roman influence. (Photo c. 1985)Clue: Ruin of a convent in Spanish time; with large eyes staring blankly, and sparse vegetation covering its top, the ruin emotes post-colonial sentiments in history and arts. (Photo c. 1985)Clue: Main tower of a lighthouse sitting on a hilltop overlooking the western sea, its beam visible hundreds of kilometers to guide ships in olden times - and up to the present - navigating the treacherous rocky shipping lane; a major tourists attraction. (Photo April 2009)Clue: This huge bell tower was decapitated by a strong earthquake. With its detached top precariously perched, for years people were warned to keep off within a safe perimeter, until it fell off to the ground. Photographed in April 2009.

Clue: Main building of the oldest universities in the world (1611), older than Harvard, constructed with earthquake-resistant foundation, a UNESCO world heritage. (Photo 2009)Clue: This is one of many watch towers dotting the islands to warn of marauding bands of pirates from the south, local version of Vikings of the Scandinavia.Clue: This church is located in a small town consistently the winner for cleanliness in La UnionClue: Sitting atop a hill this 17th century church is unique for its hundred steps, setting of many movies and documentaries, an engineering wonder on its stability against strong wind and tropical monsoon, more so with its huge bell tower at the edge of the promontory. (Photo 2009)

Clue: If there is a leaning tower, this is a different one for the Book of Guinness. This sinking bell tower, the arch of its door is now on ground level - is still sinking - what with the daily grind of city life!

Clue: Domicile of St Dominic Order, and original site of the oldest university of the Philippines. 

Answers: 1. Sunken pier, San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur 2. Sta Monica church's belfry, side view. Roxas City, Capiz 3. Paoay church, Paoay IN (Postcard courtesy) 4. Ateneo de Manila University old chapel, Novaliches, QC 5. Colonial houses in Vigan City 6. Frieze of 17th century church, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur 7. Ruin collapsed in a recent earthquake, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur.  (Author's note: Structure totally destroyed) 8. Cape Bojeador lighthouse, Burgos, Ilocos Norte 9. Bacarra bell tower, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte 10. University of Santo Tomas, Manila 11. Moro watch tower, Santa, Ilocos Sur 12. San Juan, La Union 13. Santa Maria church, IS 14. Bell tower, Laoag City 15. Old Santo Domingo church and University of Santo Tomas, Intramuros, Manila, before their destruction during World War II.  (Visit present site of UST in Sampaloc, Manila.)

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BONUS: How about this structure?  Believed to be man-made, it is actually a natural rock formation.

 

Clue: Natural rock formation in the middle of a field, its core is a huge cave, abode of thousands of bats. Regarded as sacred to local residents, rarely visited by tourists.  Photographed and edited on Adobe by the author. (Bat-ongan, Mandaon, Masbate) ~