28/10/2025
: Bantay Church and Bell Tower.
Bantay Church also known as Saint Augustine Parish Church is located in Bantay municipality of Ilocos Sur province. The historic belfry of the church - Bantay Tower, served as watchtower for pirates during Spanish colonial era and during World War II. The church is known also for housing the miraculous image of Virgin Mary - Our Lady of Charity which was crowned in pontifical decree of coronation by Pope Pius XII in 1955 and named as the Patroness of Ilocandia in 1956.
Both sites are now landmarks of interests in Ilocos Sur. Both also survived the 2022 earthquake of 7.0 magnitude that struck the province of Abra and nearby provinces. Bantay Bell Tower suffered heavily with cracks and crumbles while Bantay Church is contineously being repaired as of 2025.
🇵🇠Discover more of my roamings in the heritage city of Vigan and Ilocos Sur province by following .