The Paoay Church (also known as
the St. Augustine Church) is a historical
church located in the town of Paoay in
Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Construction of
the Paoay Church was started by the
Augustinian friars in 1964. It was
completed in 1894 led by Fr. Antonio
Estavillo and was re-dedicated in 1894.
According to the 2015 census, it has a
population of 24, 866 people. And it has
an area of 76. 24 km2 (29.44 sq. mi.)
HISTORICAL LANDMARKS
The Saint Augustine
Church, commonly known as
the Paoay Church, is a Roman
Catholic Church in the
Municipality of Paoay, Ilocos
Norte in the Philippines.
Completed in 1710, the church
is famous for its distinct
architecture highlighted by the
enormous buttresses on the
sides and back of the building.
H B
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S C
T K
O G
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C U
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L D
A breathtaking view of The Malacañang of the
pine trees, sand formations North and is a presidential
along with a thrilling roller museum in Paoay, Ilocos
coaster ride down the bumpy Norte, Philippines. It was
trails of Suba Paoay Sand the residence of the family
Dunes Adventures takes you of Ferdinand Marcos when
to a different adventure in he was the President of the
the North. Philippines.
Paoay Lake, locally
known as Dacquel a
Danum, is a lake in the
municipality of Paoay in
northwestern Luzon in the
Philippines. It is the largest
lake in the province of Ilocos
Norte and one of the largest
natural lakes in the area.
 FAMOUS WRITERS
Dionisio Abrajano
Nilo Dumlao
Jun Ramos Guiang
HAPPENING INSIDE THE BUS
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
“The world is a book and
those who do not travel read only a
page.”  — St. Augustine
Traveling gives us a lot of
great memories we can always look
back on. Getting out of our comfort
zone opens the mind to more ideas
and possibilities. For busy people,
traveling can help bring back
equilibrium when life back home
gets too stressful. Traveling with the
right partner or group is the key to a
perfect day. Exploring is one of my
Tita Lacambra Ayala
Mauro Guico
Explore is one of the most
exiting and unforgettable thing that I
have ever experienced. (Lakbay Aral
2019) is my first time to travel in
different places here in Ilocos Norte.
Visiting in wonderful places where
we can learn a lot about the history of
our heroes, famous writers and their
historical background.
I have a lot of memories
with my new friends and classmates
Orlando Guirao
Leticia Lagda
Abraham Pasion
Life is a journey, the
more you travel, the more you learn
and gain experience. Over the past
6 years, it is my first time to travel
and see the beautiful places here in
Ilocos Norte, I thought it was just
fine as I’ve heard from others but I
was wrong. Ilocos Norte is such a
beautiful place from Juan Luna
Shrine Museum-Badoc, La Virgen
Milagrosa-Badoc, Eco Cultural
Park, Nueva Era, Sta. Monica
Experience is learning. And learning
is gaining knowledge. My most
favorite place is the Santa Monica
Church. It is a church where it has the
Padsan River in front of it and is
surrounded by trees which lends a
beautiful site for all the visitors.
Second, the very astonishing St.
Augustine Paoay Church.
The church was said built to
withstand earthquakes. For me these
historical churches symbolizes our
Travel. As much as you
can. As far as you can. As long as you
can. Life’s not meant to be lived in
one place. -unknown
The Lakbay Aral happened
last September 28,2019 would be one
of the most unforgettable experience I
have in my senior high school life. It
was a great experience to be with
those people who means a lot to you
traveling around the places you didn’t
know yet. The Lakbay Aral was full
Traveling gives us a lot of great
memories we can always look back
on. Getting out of our comfort zone
opens the mind to more ideas and
possibilities. And while it gives us a
peek into how the rest of the world
lives, it also makes us appreciate
more what we have back home.
To my personal experience in Lakbay
Aral is seeing the beauty of the resort,
churches, and monument. And I used

I enjoyed visiting in Ilocos
Norte like Badoc, Nueva Era,
Dingras, Sarrat, Laoag and Paoay.
My experience in Badoc is that Im
amaze about the furnitures and the
paintings that Juan Luna Shrine had. I
also enjoyed taking pictures in Badoc
Island with my classmates and
friends. I also see the beautiful La
Virgen Milagrosa Shrine. Next is
Nueva Era, I enjoyed eating in Nueva
Era because it is silent and there are
so many trees that giving fresh air to
us. It is very green and I said to
myself that, Im going back there
when I have more time to rest.
Dingras Church is very beautiful too.
Even though we only have
less time there, I appreciate the
beauty that Dingras had. Sarrat
Church or the Santa Monica Parish
Church is great. I enjoyed swinging in
a swing and I was amazed by the
bricks that Sarrat Church had. I also
see the river in front of the church and
for me, it is very much romantic to
have a wedding there.
Paraiso ni Aniben in Laoag
is very beautiful and very relaxing.
There are so many rooms and I even
laid there for a while. I want also to
swim in the super clean swimming
pool and get fresh. And last is in
Paoay. Paoay Church is very popular
and everything there is awesome.
Lakbay aral thought me
that Ilocos Norte is very beautiful,
awesome and great. And we must
thank God because he gives us
environment like this and thank also
the people behind this beautiful and
creative churches that we have. This
experiences is like love, love that we
must keep and treasured forever.
~Shane
- ever forget in the future. It is very helpful
The festive weather, the bright smiles of
my fellow students made me feel like,
"This is it, the Lakbay-Aral". The
majestic huge mountains and the bluish
deep beaches of Ilocos Norte made me
realize how creative God is. Ilocos Norte,
indeed, is a great masterpiece molded by
The Creator.
We had our first stop at Juan
Luna Shrine, Badoc. The historical
ambiance of the place send shivers down
to my spine for I finally had a glimpse of
the past, particularly, the life of the fiery
Juan Luna. Badoc is known for its rich
beaches, and to prove this statement, we
went to La Virgen Milagrosa---a place of
devotion and aesthetic beauty. I felt that
strange and relaxing feeling of being free
as I stare at the calm sea. Tranquility
dominated me as I plugged in my
earphones and stare at those impressive
terrains and plains. Nueva Era's pride,
Eco-cultural park, is somewhat
enchanting due to its tall and green trees.
The cold breeze brought by the
mountains welcomed us. It feels like, I'm
being embraced by nature the moment I
stepped my feet and wander inside the
cultural park. Sta. Monica Church at
Sarrat, Dingras Church and Paoay Church
lit up my spirit. These churches told me
to be the best version of myself and let
God manage the steering wheel of my
life. I've realized that without Him, my
plans would be worthless. To be honest,
upon seeing these three ancient churches,
my faith ignited because I can feel His
overflowing grace and guidance towards
me. Lastly, the Paraiso-Ni Anniben at
Laoag. This place signifies that there's
always a place and a time to unwind. That
there's a particular place where you can
be happy, where you can laugh, and
where you can release all your burdens in
life.
Because of Ma'am Petronila
Baptista Gajeton, we were able to unfold
the hidden beauty and mysteries of Ilocos
Norte. Those priceless laughs still echoes
in my ears. The vibrant feeling in the bus
made me smile, considering that my
classmates are with me---singing and
exchanging corny jokes. Those memories
will be treasured in my heart, forever.
The main lesson I've got in Lakbay-Aral
is that no matter how far your destination
is, if you have the eagerness and joy to
the reach it, nothing's impossible.
Lakbay-Aral: A JOURNEY WITH A
THOUSAND MILES AND SMILES!
~Kenneth
Travelling with friends,
classmates, and teachers is one of the most
wonderful thing that I had experienced
during the Lakbay-Aral 2019. Touring
around Ilocos Norte was a memorable one
because I had the opportunity to make a
happy memories with my friends and
especially to the teachers. Lakbay-Aral
was a great experienced to all of us.
Last September 28, 2019 I am
so excited at that day because that was the
time where we have to travel around
Ilocos Norte together with the grade 12
Rose, Stargazer and us, Sampaguita.
During the travel I had enjoyed riding the
bus because my friends were there to make
us laugh, to make us happy, and to make
us contented. The first place that we
visited was in Badoc, we visited the Juan
Luna Shrine and La Birhen Milagrosa. In
Juan Luna Shrine it was such a historic
place and I can say that it was a great
place for Lakbay-Aral. We took some
pictures of some beautiful spot there and I
found that it’s relaxing in La Birhen
because of the fresh air and the fresh
water. I had enjoyed staying at the Nueva
Era Eco Park because it was a wide area
and it was also full of trees there, we even
had our lunch there. The most amazing
spot for me was the bridge because it gives
you the feeling of being safe and peaceful.
The next place that we visited was in
Dingras, Sarrat, next was in Paraiso ni
Aniben, Laoag City where I found it very
interesting place for outing with friends
and even with family. And the last place
was in Paoay Church. Ilocos was truly
pure nature because in every sides, spots
or even in north, south, west and east of
Ilocos was full of trees and water. Lakbay-
Aral was a great experienced to me
because it was my first time to travel with
my classmates and we even made a happy
and memorable memories that we never
for us because we had the opportunity to
travel the places that we never visited
before. Lakbay-Aral help us to know some
history information and some facts about
the places. Yes I can say that it was a long
tiring day that day but it was also a good
experience therefore we gain some
knowledge and experiences.
So much love to Mrs. Petronila
Gajeton because she let us travel the Ilocos
Norte. Thank you Ma’am, even it was a
short period thank you Ma’am for
supporting and accompanying us during
the Lakbay-Aral. Overall, it was
memorable and unforgettable one.
~Niña
 A day full of excitement and
memories to be treasured. That is what
I’ve felt during the Lakbay Aral 2019 of
Batac Junior College. September 28,
2018
The day we are waiting for. A day to
travel Ilocos Norte. We went to different
tourist destinations around Ilocos Norte.
There are three buses waiting for us at
exactly 7:30 in the morning infront of our
school. Ofcourse I’m late again. I rode
the airconditioned bus together with my
classmates. The moment that I entered the
bus, I can already feel the excitement.
Because of that excitement, I forgot to
buy
snacks to eat and beverages to drink
while travelling. Atleast my classmates
are nice. I managed to ask them to share
their snacks and beverages. While at the
bus, I started to play my ukulele and
starting jamming with my classmates. All
of us joined the jamming sesion. It was so
fun. The first location that we went is the
Juan Luna Shrine and La Virgen
Milagrosa located at Badoc. Ilocos Norte.
The second location we visited is the
Nueva Era Eco Park located at Nueva
Era, Ilocos Norte. We ate our lunch there.
I love the vibe. It was so refreshing and
quiet at the same time. For the third
location, We
went to Sarrat and visited their church.
The destination is so beautiful. The bus
almost left us there. Next stop is Dingras,
Ilocos Norte. We didn’t went outside
because the rain is so heavy. For the fifth
location, We went to Paraiso ni Anniben
located at Laoag, Ilocos Norte. This is the
resort where the candidates for Mr. World
stayed. It has a relaxing vibe. It is
equipped with rooms to sleep on and pool
to swim on. Lastly, We went to St.
Agustin Church located at Paoay, Ilocos
Norte. I enjoyed a lot and I hope to travel
again soon.
~Jhian
Travelling is one of the most
unforgettable moment in life. Travelling
gives you happiness. Travelling is the
kind of activity which almost all the
people love. For someone it is an
opportunity to relax from everyday busy
life.
Last September 28,2019, all of us
Grade 12 students from Batac Junior
College have our Lakbay-Aral as our
final requirement to the subject of Mrs.
Petronila Gajeton. In this requirement we
need to travel around Ilocos Norte to see
the beautiful places or spots in this place
and take some pictures of it to be put in
our travelogue. We start travelling at
around 8:00-8:30 in the morning. While
we are travelling, we sing, we eat chips,
some of my classmates capturing some
candid shots, some are sleepy and some
are sleeping while travelling. The places
that we went are Juan Luna Shrine
Badoc, La Virgen Milagrosa Badoc,
Nueva Era Cultural Park, Dingras,
Sarrat, Paraiso Ni Aniben Laoag, and
Paoay Church. But the best place for me
that we went is in La Virgen Milagrosa
Badoc because this place makes or fell
me relaxing and comfortable because of
the church and the white sand and the
beautiful beach. But I love all the places
that we went. Some may others say
“bitin” but for me it I enjoyed travelling
around the Ilocos Norte even though one
day only .
Wherever you go, go with all your
heart. Just have fun and enjoy every
moment because you only live once in
this world. Life is a journey make the
most out of it.
~ Kaiza
NOTABLE PERSONS
Vice Mayor Romulo
Acdal of Paoay, Ilocos Norte
immediately took his oath of
office as acting mayor of Paoay,
Ilocos Norte after the Department
of Interior and Local Government
(DILG) in Region I made clear
that the dismissal order on
reelected Mayor Jessie Galano
remains enforceable even if he
was proclaimed as winner in the
May 13, 2019 elections.
Gloria Diaz is a
Filipino multi-awarded actress of
film and television, model and
beauty queen who rose to fame
after being crowned Ms. Universe
1969 at the age of 18, becoming
the first Filipina to hold the Ms.
Universe title. And Gloria Diaz
ancestors came at Paoay, Ilocos
Norte.
Fr.Antonio Estavillo
it takes almost two decades to
complete the construction of this
massive edifice which was started
by the Augustinian friars led by
Fr. Antonio Estavillo in 1694 and
completed in 1710. It is made up
of coral stone and bricks with
enormous buttresses on the both
sides and at the back.