Iguig Church & Calvary Hills (Cagayan, PH)

A church is not a museum for good people its a hospital for the broken. – Jefferson Bethke

Iguig, a small 4th class town in the 4^th largest province of the Philippines – Cagayan, is noticeable to commuters and local travellers because of its historical attraction. Two of these sights are the Calvary Hills and the centuries-old, of Iguig Church.

The San Antonio de Galicia Church, Saint james Parish or simply Iguig Church, is a must visit because it is the only church in the province with traditional flying buttresses. (FYI: A flying buttress is one with slanting from a separate pier, typically forming an arch with the wall it supports. This type of design is often associated with Gothic church architecture).

The church is audaciously built atop the Calvary Hills. This 18th century structure maybe small in size, but, it is an amazing work of art in bricks. Claimed to have been built from 1765 to 1787, this masterpiece is indeed distinct from the many Spanish colonial churches in the Philippines.

Other features of the church include a brick stairway, which goes straight into the river, and was used by Spaniards and merchants who travelled from town to town. There is also an old well within the church grounds.

At the back of the church is an eleven-hectare of undulating terrain that features life-size statues portraying the 14 Stations of the Cross. Created during the early 1980’s, the statues are vibrant attractions making them one of the most pictured attractions in the province.

The hills become more alive during the Lenten Season as pilgrims and visitors across the country come to visit these Stations of the Cross. Adding charm to this place is a picturesque view of Cagayan River and the immediate rural area.

The place is indeed a great one for contemplating and meditating, at the same time a relaxing place to be one with nature as you stroll along the hills.

HOW to REACH IGUIG in CAGAYAN:

Several bus companies ply the Manila-Tuguegarao route. Here is a list of these bus companies:

BUS COMPANY	CONTACT NUMBERS	TERMINAL ADDRESS
Baliwag Transit Inc	+632-3640860, +632-3634478	Rizal Ave. cor. 2nd Ave., Caloocan
Dagupan Bus Lines	+632-7272330, +632-9296123	New York St., Cubao
Dalin Liner	+632-7858566	F. Cayco St., Sampaloc Manila
GV Florida Bus	+632-7433809 (Sampaloc); +632-9125354 (Cubao)	Earnshaw St., Sampaloc Manila; E. Rodriguez cor EDSA Cubao
Victory Liner	Caloocan near LRT station (tel. +632-3304490); Cubao EDSA (tel. +632-7274534); Pasay EDSA (tel. +632-8335019, 8335020); Sampaloc Manila (tel. +632-7411436)

***One may also opt to ride a plane bound for Tuguegarao. Both Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines fly Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila daily.

Once in Tuguegarao, Iguig can be reached via van or jeepney. Take a tricycle to Don Domingo Terminal where vans and jeeps bound for Alcala which also passes by Iguig’s town proper. When you reach Iguig town proper, just walk your way to the church and the Calvary Hills.