The Towering Sentinel of Bantay

First stop of our kalesa tour is the Bantay Bell Tower in Bantay, a small town close to Vigan.  The town is popular because of the Bell Tower that is perched on top of a small hill. Before going to the tower we had to register at the tourist desk and give some donations for maintenance of the said tower.  From there it’s an easy walk along the inclined path leading to the steps of the tower entrance.

You’ll be greeted by a worn winding staircase as you climbed the floor just below the belfry. And you'll be awarded with  commanding view of Vigan and neighboring province of Ilocos Sur.  To enjoy a more scenic view, one must climb the flight of wooden steps leading to the belfry platform.  At the end of the climb, you’ll endlessly gaze upon Bantay’s surrounding town. It’s just sad that most of the bells and parts of the belfry are now defaced with carvings from visitor and locals who have no respect for our cultural heritage.

 There are 5 bells on the belfry with increasing
 size.And each bell has a distinct sound and is
   used to announce events.

Most of the bells  here are now carved with names of some irresponsible visitors.

Bantay literally translates to “mountain”  or “guard” in Ilocano dialect.  Back then it is mostly used as a watchtower for invading enemy forces during the old times. Evidently, this tower has  served as  a monumental witnesses to different uprisings and staged revolts from the past. Some of the scenes of Panday (classic Fernando Poe Jr. film) were actually shot within the vicinity of the tower.

The restored grandiose facade is a mixed
of neo-gothic and pseudo-Romanesque design.

Just a few meters from the tower we head to San Augustine Church, one of the oldest churches of Ilocos Sur built in 1590 under the leadership of the town’s first parish priest Fr. Montoya.  Legend has it that a fishermen found the image of Our Lady of Charity placed in a wooden box floating in Bantaoay river. As the news spread like wildfire, people from other towns and provinces attempted to take the image but were not able to do so.  Only the local of Bantay can move or lift the said image. 

Deep brown facade

Glimpse inside the church

The church has underwent restoration in 1950 due to the damages from World War II.  The site has a great historical significance as well. It is said that Diego Silang and his men walk on these grounds when they fought with the Spaniards in 1763.

A shot of sago for our iskrambol after strolling Bantay