I’m fascinated with the beauty of old colonial churches scattered around the archipelago. The Bato Church in Catanduanes is different. I already saw this on my way to Puraran and I want to photograph this church with the locals. So I intentionally attended the service although I’m not Roman Catholic.
I’m amused by the message of the priest, delivered using their native tongue. I don’t understand it but I believe it’s a source of hope for the congregation. The music coming from the back was heavenly and all I did was to reflect and pray. What a perfect way to start the day.
Is this an adventure? We will see…
When everybody left the church, I sneaked in and went upstairs to the belfry. It was freaky as the bats begin to make sound, but I’m decided to take pictures of the church bells. The squeaking bats are louder than ever, good thing its not dark.
I am amazed at this structure so I took some more time to inspect and touch it with my bare hands.
I noticed that the walls made up of coral & mortal stones are greened by moss. Its actually wet, questions is does this make the structure stronger? When I checked the outer walls, it’s like virgin forest teeming with plants, ferns and vines.
My Tweet: attended chuch service at Bato… amazed at the stone structure, reflects the resiliency of the people.
You can follow me on Twitter @journeyingjames
Going back to Midtown Inn (where I checked-in) was about a 20minute tricycle ride. As usual, its raining and I was a bit wet when I arrived at the guesthouse. Seems like my plans to go to TwinRock Resort is down the drain…. What I did was just a stay in my room, sleep and watch TV. What a nice way to “explore” this island. hahaha
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How to get to Bato Church
Option 1: Take the tricycle going to Bato at the Tricycle terminal for Bato near Midtown Inn. Fare P17.00
Option 2: Take the bus going to Baras at the bus terminal near Sea Breeze, near the port. Fare Less than P20.00
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***Catanduanes (Mis)Adventures is a 6-part series of blog posts of my jaunting in the easternmost part of the Bicol region, happened last January 7-10, 2011. Find out how this “series of misadventures” become a memorable one.
CATANDUANES (MIS)ADVENTURES: Battered But Blissful / A Frustrated Surfer Wannabe / A Cancelled Bike Ride / Bato Church Service / Tourism Gone Bad / Accommodations for Backpackers

ganda ng simbahan. I have to see that soon
marky, mukhang nahihilig ka sa old church structures ahhh…
ganda talaga ng heritage ng pilipinas. i gotta appreciate the churches when estan told me about the pirate raids during the spanish colonial era.
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I thought of booking for Catanduanes one time when there was a seat sale and I couldn’t find any other flights that I wanted on the dates. I thought Catanduanes is such a lovely but under rated place. I like this church….
love your tweet, I guess when a place is constantly battered by natural disasters, the people naturally become resilient through time, it’s the best way to survive
I find masses/homilies delivered in a certain dialect beautiful, kahit di ko maintindihan 🙂
yep gay.parang sa batanes lang.. there is something in the local dialect- intriguing, mysterious and sacred.
parang sa ganyang type masarap mag-mass, tahimik. james, ganito mga gusto kong lugar! will take note of Catanduanes next time. di kasi ako fan ng big cities!
oo nga jerik… punta ka na ng catanduanes! same here, i want a laid back life, not the busy city life.
aww.makes me miss my hometown.thanks james for visiting our church 😀 madami pa maganda puntahan sa town namin.sana makabalik ka 😀 God Bless.
yes, i enjoyed the time there even i dont understand the dialect. haha yep, i want to explore more when i get back