Quezon’s visual feast

By Macon Ramos-Araneta | Posted on September 02, 2012
 

A trip to Quezon can be not only a visual feast but also a reliving of history for tourists.

Apart from the vast tracts of rainforests, white sand beaches, and idyllic waterfalls, Quezon is famous for its century-old churches, according to Gov. David Suarez.
Touted as the country’s most beautiful church, the key-shaped St. Michael de Archangel Minor Basilica in Tayabas City was constructed in 1585 under the supervision of the Franciscan friars. It was named after St. Michael de Archangel, its patron saint.
The basilica is considered the second biggest church in the Philippines. It was conferred the title Minor Basilica in 1988 by Pope John Paul II.

The province’s oldest church, the Cathedral of San Diego de Alcala, was built in 1582, but burned by Dutch pirates in 1663.

The St. Louis of Toulouse in Lucban, built in 1593, counts among the centuries-old churches in the Philippines. File photo by Robert Viñas

5. It was rebuilt and remodeled in 1846.


The other century-old churches in Quezon are the St. Louis of Toluese, Lucban, which was built in 1593, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Sariaya, 1599;; Atimonan Church, Atimonan, 1640 and St. Ferdinand Cathedral, Lucena City, 1881.
Apart from these churches, worth extolling. the “Kamay ni Jesus,” a pilgrimage site in Lucban, Quezon where hundreds of devotees go almost everyday to pray and attend masses and visit the huge image of Jesus Christ nestled on the slopes of the majestic Mt. Banahaw, Suarez said.
One has to climb 292 steps steps to reach the top where Jesus’ giant statue was erected.
He said the number of people visiting the place rose to an average of over a million during the Holy Week.
While conceding that the province has been known through the ‘Pahiyas of Lucban,’ Suarez stressed however that there are many beautiful places and festivities in the province that attract tourists.
Pahiyas is the harvest festival to honor San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. The multi-colored leaf-shaped ‘kiping’ embellished the facades houses along with fruits and flowers harvested for the celebration of Pahiyas on May 15 of every year.
Suarez noted that water falls and underground also abound in the province asaide from the old houses, buildings and landmarks, awaiting people visiting Quezon.
Quezon, birthplace of the late Commonwealth of the Philippines President Manuel Quezon, also boast of the National Historical Institute-declared Heritage House, the Gala-Rodriguez Ancestral Mansion, designed in Art Deco style by National Artist for architecture Juan Nakpil, and built in 1935.
During the Department of Tourism-sponsored heritage and culinary tour of the province, reporters were treated to the famous dishes of Quezon in the towns of Lucban, Sariaya, Tiaong and the cities of Lucena and Tayabas. The province’s cuisines from the 34 coastal municipalities would surely enthralled both domestic and local tourists.
In an interview with reporters, Suarez also cited the P7.8 billion development projects on a 500-hectare island in the province located off coast the Pacific Ocean.
He said the development in Balesin Island near Alabat Island and the municipality of Mauban is being undertaken by Alphaland Corporation, owned by former Trade Minister Roberto Ongpin. “It is considered one of the most expensive in a single tourism project in the country,” Suarez said.
The construction of an airstrip for the airbus has just been finished. “Sooner, international flights from anywhere in the world can land in the island,” said Suarez.
Alphaland intends to build a hotel and casino and in the island, which boasts of its white sand on the 7-km long shoreline and its crystal clear waters.
He said they need to identify the areas of accommodations. “It’s not feasible if we only have the beaches but without places where local and foreign tourists can stay. There are beaches but no rooms for them,” he said.
“We can also extol of the uniqueness of the island due to its double landscape,”said Suarez.
During low tide, he said one would be enthralled with breath taking view of the sand underneath the waters. The sand have strong semblance to running waves. It is as if one is another world. Sports Utility Vehicles can also traverse through the sand.
He said Balesin Island could be at par or even surpass Amanpulo Island in El Nido, Palawan.
He said development projects will definitely be a big boost to the province’s tourism industry due to the increased economic activities for the locals. It will generate employment for the people living in the area. (END)