National Cultural Treasure Series - SAN VICENTE FERRER CHURCH, Dupax Del Sur, Nueva Viscaya - PH-02-0004-NCT

The San Vicente Ferrer Parish Church (Iglesia Parroquial de San Vicente Ferrer), commonly referred to as Dupax Church or Dupax del Sur Church, is an 18th-century Baroque church located at Brgy. Dopaj, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya. The parish church, under the advocation of Saint Vincent Ferrer, is under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bayombong. The church complex has been declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines in July 2001.

The church is the best-preserved church complex in Nueva Vizcaya. It was built during the second half of the 18th century, under the Dominicans. The baptistry and narthex are converted with carved stucco – work possibly unmatched elsewhere in the Philippines. The convento still preserves slits on the outer walls for archers to fire their arrows against raiders. (NCCA)

Source:WIKIPEDIA

Visita Iglesia 2015 - National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines

The Philippines is home to hundreds of centuries-old Spanish colonial churches which continue to play important spiritual roles in the lives of millions of Filipino Catholics. Built during the height of the Spanish colonization  in the 1500's, these churches have remained largely intact for centuries. However, natural calamities, the ravages of pollution, and urban development has taken its toll on these priceless edifices.

The National Commission for the Culture and Arts (NCCA) identifed these 37 churches as National Cultural Treasures for their cultural significance and distinctive architecture. Most of them I have already visited. The rest, will be part of my next travel agenda.

Nueva Viscaya's Heritage Sites

The country's gateway to Cagayan Valley region is Nueva Viscaya. The province may not be any traveller's choice for adventure and site-seeing but one would be surprised to realize that it is worth exploring the province - with it's breathtaking view of the Cordillera and Sierra Madre, plus a number of heritage sites to learn and discover.

Solano - the province's commercial center. Known to travellers as stopover for those who want to break up their journey to Isabela, Cagayan or the Mountain Province, the town indeed is one convenient stop. It has the nicest accomodation facility in the province, natural park resorts, popular fastfood restaurants, supermarkets, and the unique Ayuyang bar with its ethnic theme with nightly live acoustic Ilocano music.

Bayombong - the province's seat of government. One of the quietests and cleanest provincial capital I've ever visited. The capitol site has a large landscaped park with man-made lagoons, surrounded with pine trees and overlooking the picturesque Sierra Madre mountains. The town also houses the Cathedral of St. Dominic De Guzman, which is one the province's heritage sites.

Dupax Del Sur - this quiet town north of Nueva Viscaya was declared by the National Center for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as one of the country's National Cultural Treasure. The Cathedral of St. Vincent Ferrer, built by Dominican friars in 1776 features a baptistery and narthex pillars covered with finely carved stucco, is the town's main attraction. The oldest acacia tree in the Philippines can also be found here.