Tourism(Cultural Enrichment)

Cultural Enrichment

Cultural Enrichment is one of the importance of tourism that courses are concerned with the study of the social, intellectual, and artistic achievements of cultures; how they were produced; why they were produced; the influence of the context of the times on their production; and their consequences.One of the pivotal components of what makes us human is that we exist within historically evolving cultures that imbue our world with meaning, value and significance. Our projects, our involvements, our self understanding, our understanding of the many elements of our world are all profoundly informed by our cultures. Ideas as simple as "childhood" and "work" shift significance through history and across cultures. The horizons of meaning which are the fabric of our lives, including our perceptions, are articulated through the struggle of history, the formulation of philosophical ideas, the evolution of religions, and creations of the various arts. The Cultural Enrichment curriculum is concerned with increasing student appreciation of the significance of their relationship to the threads of culture, providing them with the tools for understanding components of culture, and engaging them in the kinds of reflective, analytic, or participatory involvement that will allow them to respond to cultures in a manner that enriches them and their overall relationship to the world. 

Ilocos(the Land of Marcos)

 

Ilocos collectively refers to two provinces in the Philippines: Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Inhabitants are called Ilocanos and they speak the language Iloko, also called Ilocano.

The Ilocos Region, containing four provinces, is named after Ilocos. 28% of the inhabitants of the region are Pangasinan people, who belong to a different ethnolinguistic group from the Ilocanos.“The Ilocos Heritage” (the 27th book written by Visitacion de la Torre), the Ilocano legacy and the life of the Ilocano – are described as - "the browbeaten, industrious, cheerful, simple soul who has shown a remarkable strain of bravery and a bit of wanderlust." The Ilocano history reveals his struggles and victories – in battles for colonial independence from Spain and America, to Philippine leadership. The new Ilocano searched for greener pastures towards new lands local and foreign - Palawan,Mindanao, Hawaii, the United States and Greece. The Ilocano material culture and spirituality can be seen in the past - images of Spanish santo (saints), antique but intricate wooden furniture and quality local fiber. The native Ilocano is a weaver, wood carver and pottery expert. The Ilocano cuisine – ranges from the exotic "abu-os" (ant eggs) to vegetable broth "dinengdeng," the sticky "tinubong" to the "poqui-poqui" (eggplant salad). Ilocandia is filled with colonial churches, the legacy of Spanish Catholicism.

Ilocos Churches

 


St. William's Cathedral in Laoag

St. William's Cathedral is older than Paoay Church,as it was first built in 1590 by the Augustinian friars. The church was originally built using lime mixed with molasses for added strength, huge stones,gravel and sand. Wood was used for trusses to support the roof made of thatch materials (cogon grass). Roofing material was later changed to galvanized sheet (called taleb) made of whole bamboos. The structure was replaced in 1612 with an Italian Renaissance design,its 2-storey facade supported by 4 pairs of coupled columns. The image of St. William,Patron Saint of Laoag City was placed on the recessed niche at the top of the facade. It is said that the church suffered damages caused by a hurricane in 1640, an earthquake in 1706,and fire in 1843. Repairs were made in 1873,and it was finally restored in 1880. The Revolutionists occupied the church in 1890,as did the American forces in 1899. St. William's Cathedral is also known for its sinking Belfry. The bell tower is located 85 meters away from the church. With its massive,solid and tall structure (45 meters high),the belfry is considered the tallest in the Philippines. It sinks an inch each year because of its weight and sandy foundation. The climate is so hot in Laoag,the soil has suffered desertification (soil degrades and is converted to sand). The tower has sank so deep that its entrance is already half-buried. Whereas before, the entrance is so high that a man riding a horse can easily go through it, now,one has to stoop to enter. Despite its sinking structure, to this date,the belfry is still functional.

 

Paoay Church

It is a dream come true to be able to visit Paoay Church,the best known earthquake Baroque church in the Philippines which has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The cornerstone of the church was laid by the Augustinian missionaries in 1704 while the cornerstone of the belfry was laid in 1793. The people already used it even before completion in 1894,but it was formally inaugurated on February 28,1896. It is said that large coral stones were used for the lower level of the church structure,and bricks were used for the upper levels. The walls which were made of coral blocks,tree sap,lumber and stucco-plastered bricks are 1.67 meters (more than 3 feet) thick,and are supported by 24 massive buttresses of intricate design.The church was partially destroyed twice by earthquakes in 1706 and 1927.In the restoration,permanent columns were built to support the ceiling. Today,this uniquely beautiful church still stands, wowing tourists with its majestic structure of Oriental,Gothic and Baroque influences.

The belfry stands a few meters from the church. As in other belfries of Ilocos churches,Katipuneros used the belfry as watch point in the 1896 revolution,and guerrillas of World War II also used it to check out coming enemies.

 

St. Paul's Cathedral in Vigan

St. Paul’s Church or Vigan Cathedral as it is more popularly known, is a beautiful church, with its belfry sitting on its left, across the street. The bells still toll for masses. The cathedral does not seem to be very old given the modern paint-job in the façade but it still holds a certain charm, especially inside where the exposed wooden beams in the dome give you an indication of the period when it was built. 

 

Our Lady of the Imacculate Concepcion in BataBatac

The church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, was built in 1587 and although lots of renovations were done to the church within centuries, still, remnants of the old church can be seen through its walls. Sadly though, the Church pales in comparison to its other more popular and striking counterparts in Vigan, Laoag, Sta. Maria and Paoay, among others. Nonetheless, this church, and all the other churches in the Ilocos Region, is worth visiting.

 

Sta. Monica Church in Sarrat

The very landmark of this town is the Santa Monica Church formerly called the San Miguel Church. It is a red-brick church made in a neo-classical style with a belfry on its right side and a convent on its left side forming the complex. It is considered to be an important cultural property by the National Museum because of its rich heritage and intricate details of architecture.This is considered to be the largest church in the entire province of Ilocos Norte and was the setting of the grand wedding considered as wedding of the century of Gregorio Araneta and former presidential daughter Irene Marcos in the year 1983.