startled cat: Dark Shadows

Before ETS and I decided to explore Southern Luzon, I wanted to break in by first covering the northern part starting with Bulacan, for its rich history and mainly because it appeared more accessible and easier to navigate for its basically flat topography.

So I invited a friend from the land down under, MDC, to accompany me. And we were in for a surprise.

We thought we were still in Manila, Barangay Something, Zone Something, Gagalangin, Tondo, that is!

There were quite a number of rough spots. Roads and road signs are confusing, I couldn't remember how many times we got lost and had to retrace our route. Worse, not many people we asked knew the tourist attractions we were looking for. Believe me, I've done my research and I read that there's a number of really old churches and structures there, but my list was getting more and more X marks!

Finally, we were able to locate one, the Parish of San Miguel de Arcangel in Marilao. Too bad, it was closed. And our interest was already waning.

I hope the local government does something about the river situation, before it's too late. Let us not allow Metro Manila's dark shadows creep into the provinces.

After burning liters and liters of gas, we found the Marcelo del Pilar Shrine in Bulacan, Bulacan. The shrine was, at the time and I am not sure if it still is, not properly landmarked even if it is situated along the main road, so you would really have to be looking around or you'll miss it.

He was one of the key personalities of the Philippine Revolution against Spain. He was an editor of La Solidaridad, the revolutionary organ.

The highlight of the trip, the Barasoain Church in Malolos. This is perhaps the most iconic of all Catholic churches in the Philippines having been site to some of the most important moments in history such as the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic in January 23, 1899.

Unfortunately, again, we couldn't get a panoramic shot of the church because of these equally hapless students who were having an independence day rehearsal under the scorching mid-day Sun. Worse, the church was closed so we were not able to see the historic altar.

And because it's been basically at an almost-no-hit-all-misses kind of day, we decided that the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, also in Malolos, would be our last stop for the trip.

Actually, I was the only one who got out of the car to check it out, MDC was already beyond uninspired.

On the way out of the province, we passed by this nice place that reminded me of Bonifacio High Street in Taguig. Up to now, I don't know what it is called.

While on the way out of the province, we decided, since it was only around 2pm, to proceed to...