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Baras Church, Rizal

After our stop in Morong, we moved along towards the next town south-east. Cruising the Manila East Road, we had a short stop over at Baras, Rizal. This small and laidback town besides the shore of Laguna de Bai and nestled at the foothills of Sierra Madre, the town seems to be distant from the hustle and bustle of chaotic Manila. As we go farther, the scenery changes more to rustic. The smell of newly planted rice greeted us along the way.

The church is somewhat hidden from the main highway or the main road of the town proper. You need to ask the locals where it is but dropping yourself near the municipal hall would give you a short work towards the church.

Baras Church Retablo

What’s notable about this church? Even though it has a very simple architectural design and is made of stone and lime, it is said to be one of Rizal Province’s oldest. The first church was built by the Franciscan friars in 1585 and was transferred to Ibayo in 1636. 46 years later they’ve returned to the present town site and finished the church in 1686. It was briefly administered by the Jesuits from 1616 to 1679.

Baras Church and the Youth

Despite its simplicity and size of the structure, the retablo is notable. Gold and green baroque features are dominant.  Another one are the old wooden beams exposed at the ceiling.

Our short stop over at Baras was greeted by children from a religious group. Under the cool shade of the acacia trees and a refreshing breeze coming from the lake, our road trip was really an oasis of calm before the sun is at its zenith. And before we knew, we were off to Tanay, the last “big” town in the east before crossing the great foothills of Sierra Madre towards the eastern frontier of Laguna province.

Crossing the Green Hills and Boundaries

We stopped by another baroque wonder in Tanay but no time to make a stop over. We pulled over a fastfood chain and have our heavy lunch before crossing the border. I said to my barkada, it’ll be a long drive to Laguna so we have to fill up ourselves. After that, we went on.

Short Stop Over turned disaster

Before the junction, I have a vivid memory of the place near Pilila…my family and I had a near death vehicular accident here. Even in a sunny day, I have to slow down and beeped the car. Somehow, this place is part of my life. That the road is not a safe place to go.

Laguna de Bai and Alabang Skyline

The road forks and we went towards the mountains. Now, this is the last time we’ll be seeing Rizal Province before we cross towards Laguna. The winding ascent towards the green highlands of the eastern point of Laguna de Bai gave us a stunning panorama of Laguna, the lake and from the distance, Alabang and Fort Bonifacio skyline!

We had a stopover at the “overlook.” This is where Manila East Road gives a great vista panorama with small refreshment stalls. My barkada and I went out of the vehicle…never knowing that it automatically locked! Clack, the lock said! Ummm, help?!

Biboy and the roadside stalls at "Overlook"

Good thing though, a band of mountain bikers from Quezon City were also there. They’ve managed to help us by opening our locked vehicle and said jokingly “Taga-QC kami eh, hehe!” We were thankful for them. They went ahead towards Manila, we went farther ahead from Manila.

Laguna, here we come!

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Iglesia de San Geronimo de Morong

After that arduous ascend to the hidden Angono Petroglyphs up in the highlands of Binangonan, we drove down passing by Binangonan and Cardona towns. Next stop: Morong.

All of a sudden, from the dense towns of western Rizal province facing Metro Manila. After crossing the hills that divide Binangonan and Cardona, suddenly everything turned rustic and the old  Tagalog beauty unfolds its green and yellow shade that blankets the hills and rice fields.

Rice fields abound while Laguna de Bai sits beyond the shores. The skyline of Morong fast approaches and the striking belfry of the church is a great scene.

Now, what seems to be interesting in this town? Except for its famed balaw-balaw side dish which I am about to explore sometime soon, the architectural marvel of Morong Church or Iglesia de San Geronimo.

Church Belfry of Morong

Constructed in 1615, shortly after a fire gutted the first church, this neo-baroque wonder of Rizal province boasts of its octagonal bell tower and it’s intricate baroque facade that is undeniably one of the region’s best. Four angels guarding the top of the third floor of the facade and seemingly Mexican-European influence of its style really looks magnificent and worth noticing from the rice fields of Morong and shores of Laguna de Bai.

Even though the church interior was damaged after World War II, there are still several things notable inside such as the choir loft and the statues at the retablo.

San Geronimo Church Facade

With the fire trees in full bloom and blue skies, Morong Church is a sight to behold during the last days of summer. Such artistry of baroque feature executed and worth to be noted, a heritage that our ancestors left.

Now. after taking that tour at the church, we’re off to Baras and beyond. We were not even half way on our road trip.

Going Here:

Since we drove our way around Laguna de Bai towns, we weren’t able to take public transportation. However, there are “patok” jeepneys at Robinsons Metro East along Marcos Highway in Cainta, Rizal (just a short jeep ride from LRT Purple Line Santolan Station) bound for Morong or eastern Rizal towns such as Pilila, Tanay and Baras.

For more photos of Morong and Baras Churches, view here:

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The Turtle and the rest of the petroglyphs

Whenever we say Angono, it is all about art and its famous son Carlos “Botong” Francisco. This town, some over 20 kilometers away from Manila, has been known for being an art center of the Philippines and the annual Festival of the Giants or Gigantes Festival held every 23rd of November. It seems that everything here is associated with art…that even their ancestors were already artists already!

Yeah! Our pre-Hispanic ancestors were also artists too! And guess what, its just near Angono, but technically it is part of Binangonan town in the province of Rizal. So, when you enter the area, you’ll be surprised by this politically correct signage, “The Angono Petroglyphs in Binangonan Rizal.”

Politically Correct Signage of Angono Petroglyphs

So, what’s all the fuzz about these carvings in stone? Well, its not your usual vandalism or graffiti where “Edna loves Dindin” or “Bogart was here.” It is a collection of more than a hundred figure carvings of humans and animals that was carved in hard rock by our ancestors dating back about 3000 BCE! Wow! Talk about artistry in Angono!

It was accidentally discovered by no less than the late National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco in 1965 when he was strolling along the lush jungle hills of Rizal. In 1996, the government recognized its artistic and cultural importance and has it declared a national cultural treasure by virtue of Presidential Decree 260. It is now being taken cared of by the National Museum of the Philippines.

Today, it is confronted by the fact that it sits near a quarrying site and a real estate development (The site is in the middle of a high-end real estate property) and also that it sits near a tectonically active area and the challenges of nature and time. Some of the carvings have been chipped off either by nature or by man. It’s disappointing to see some vandals along the way, especially the tunnel that leads to the site.

By the way to dSLR users, the guard/caretaker at the Petroglyphs doesn’t permit picture taking using dSLR cameras. Only point and shoot cameras are allowed in the area. Well, that’s the advantage of having a simple digicam to bring along with you.

Vandalism at Angono Petroglyphs

Going here is a tough call. We went here and brought a car and it was difficult to determine where it is exactly since there are no signages even inside the real estate property! What more if you’ll commute all the way here. As far as I know, you may rent a van going here since you’ll be entering a private property, most likely public transportation is not available or can be arranged through Department of Tourism or the local government tourism offices of Rizal Province, Angono and Binangonan towns to avoid inconvenience. The place really requires effort or in Filipino “sasadyain talaga.” (If you do have any more information, please feel free to post it at the comments section. Thanks!)

Makati and Fort Bonifacio Global City View from Angono

But going here is simply breathtaking. You’ll get a panoramic vista of Metro Manila and Laguna de Bai along the way up and be greeted by friendly security guards of the property.

All in all, the artistry of the Filipinos was manifested not just here in Angono but also all throughout the country as well. It really runs in our blood that Filipinos have such talent ever since our ancestors carved those ancient figures on rock. It goes to show that Filipinos are blessed with artistry and talent, even from the ancient of days.

Now, what’s our next stop in our Laguna Lake tour? Morong, Rizal! Padayon!

For more photos of our road trip to the Angono Petroglyphs, check the slideshow below: