Tuguegarao Cathedral - St. Peter Metropolitan Cathedral

Our hosts took us on a technical and cultural tour on the last day of the conference last week. The technical tour was on the Cagayan State University Carig Campus where they have the Electric Mobility Center. The cultural part of the tour took us to the Tuguegarao Cathedral and Cagayan Museum. Here are some photos of the cathedral.

The cathedral formally known as St. Peter Metropolitan Cathedral was host to the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The plaza in front of the cathedral is spacious and has a monument dedicated to the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The cathedral feature the red bricks known as ladrillos. These represent local craftsmanship and industrial history or heritage of the Cagayan Valley.

Historical marker in front of the cathedral

The original church was completed in 1767. The current building was constructed after World War 2.

Interior of the cathedral featuring a long main aisle leading to a relatively simple retablo. Note the ornate ceiling that now also includes large fans to help in ventilation. Tuguegarao, after all, can be very hot during the dry season.

Another view of the cathedral interior with the piligrim image of Our Lady of Guadalupe featured on the right. There was a novena when we arrived at the cathedral.

Details on one of the main doors of the cathedral

 

I wasn't able to get more photos of the interior as there was a service ongoing and we were led by our guide to the Cagayan Museum, which already awaited us (we were already running late at the time we arrived at the cathedral).

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Breakfast at NAIA Terminal 3: Cosina Ilocos

We checked-in early for our flight to Tuguegarao last week. After checking-in, we decided to have breakfast at the newly renovated food hall of NAIA Terminal 3 at the ground floor level. What used to be a spacious duty free shop is now a spacious food hall with many options for travelers and well-wishers (i.e., fetchers and those sending-off relatives and friends). After going around to see what's available, we decided to have our breakfast at the Cosina Ilocos especially after seeing the lonnganisa on display.

Classic Ilocos longganisa and longganisang hubad (without the skin)

Ilocos empanada - I must admit I was amused with the term "warming showcase" for the food on display

Cosina Ilocos' menu

My breakfast was the classic longsilog with hot chocolate for my drink

 

I will write about the food hall in a future article here. Some stalls have no concessionaires yet and most people tend to congregate at the areas near the hallways, escalators and elevators. Cosina Ilocos is located further inside and there were less people there so it was less crowded and noisy. Some passengers and airport terminal staff we saw there were just lounging, catching up on work, having meals or even sleeping on the seats. The comfort rooms were also renovated and are very clean.

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Snacks: Ja! Zartbitter Schokokeks

I just came back from a trip to Tuguegarao City in Cagayan Province in the northern part of Luzon Island. There's so much to share from that trip including food and places visited. But before those, here is something about a delightful snack; thanks to our friend from Germany who gifted us with this pasalubong earlier this year.

This is basically a box of chocolate covered biscuits

Details about the chocolate at the back of the box

Nutrition information and ingredients. The chocolate claims to have 50% cacao.

 

Inside is a plastic tray with several pieces of the chocolate-covered biscuits

 

This was an enjoyable treat for me. It reminded me of the Alfort chocolate-covered biscuits I enjoyed while in Japan that are now generally available here. It also reminded me of the Knick Knack snacks we used to buy and eat when we were in grade school. That was, of course, on the sweet side of chocolate snacks.

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