TRIP UP NORTH DURING THE UNDAS BREAK: Part Five - CHURCHES OF NUEVA ECIJA

 On my recent road trip through the provinces of Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya, we passed through four towns in Nueva Ecija, three of which I had never visited before. This trip allowed me to complete my visits to all the towns and churches in Nueva Ecija. The churches we visited belong to the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija, and include those in Pantabangan, Carranglan, Lupao, and Muñoz. Following the suggestion of Bishop Elmer Mangalinao, we also visited the parish church of Sto. Niño de Puncan in Puncan, Carranglan. He shared that Puncan was actually the original población of San Jose before it was relocated to its current site. The church is now a pilgrim shrine dedicated to the Sto. Niño de Puncan.

ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE PARISH
Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija

ST. NICHOLAS DE TOLENTINO PARISH
Carranglan, Nueva Ecija

The town of Carranglan is twelve kilometers away from the main Maharlika highway. We were glad however, to have made this detour as we saw a beautiful brick church which we did not expect to see. 

The  Porta Santa  on the left side facing the church with the carved image of St. Nicholas de Tolentino. 

STO. NIÑO DE PUNCAN PARISH
Puncan, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija

ST. JAMES THE GREAT PARISH
Lupao, Nueva Ecija

ST. SEBASTIAN THE MARTYR PARISH
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

It was fortunate that we passed by the church of Muñoz as I noticed that they have already built a beautiful retablo from the simple crucifix that adorned the altar before. 

For the other churches of Nueva Ecija under the Diocese of San Jose click here.

TRIP UP NORTH DURING THE UNDAS BREAK: Part Four - CHURCHES OF NUEVA VIZCAYA

           On the first day of our road trip up north, after passing through Panganiban, Nueva Ecija, on our way to Aurora province, we drove by the town of Alfonso Castañeda in Nueva Vizcaya. A quick internet search revealed a church with the title of the Black Nazarene, which was rededicated to St. Clare of Assisi when it became a parish in 2023, now under Franciscan administration. Previously just a chapel, the parish is now building a larger church, with posts already erected in front of the existing structure.

After visiting Aurora province, we traveled westward through Quirino province and eventually reached Isabela, starting with the city of Santiago. From there, we visited three nearby towns before heading south into Nueva Vizcaya, where we explored ten towns: Diadi, Bagabag, Villaverde, Solano, Bayombong, Bambang, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Aritao, and Sta. Fe. We did not visit the Cathedral of Bayombong this time, as I had been there before, but we stayed overnight at the Bishop’s residence in Bayombong.

STA. CLARA PARISH
Alfonso Castañeda, Nueva Vizcaya

ST. JOSEPH HUSBAND OF MARY PARISH
Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya

What was distinctive with this church were the murals on the ceiling at both wings of the church. They featured the different BEC chapels in the barangays under the parish. 

A mural of St. Joseph on the ceiling by the entrance of the church.

ST. JEROME PARISH
Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya

OUR LADY OF FATIMA PARISH
Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya

ST. LOUIS BELTRAN PARISH
Solano, Nueva Vizcaya

Just beside the parish church was this small chapel of the Black Nazarene and another one in honor of the Assumption of Our Lady. 

Bishop's Residence
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

With Bp. Elmer Mangalinao (brown shirt). 

ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA PARISH
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya

Notice the brick walls of the church. 

ST. ANNE PARISH 
Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya

What was distinctive of this church were the bas relief of the stations of the cross plastered to the upper walls of the church. 

ST. VINCENT FERRER PARISH
Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya

Since this beautiful church of Dupax del Sur was along the way, we made a short stop to visit it. 

ST. JOSEPH THE HUSBAND OF MARY PARISH
Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya

OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP PARISH
Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya

The main facade of the Church. The altar however does not face the entrance of the church. 

The other side of the church. 

With the parish priest, Fr. Virgilio Mendoza, OFM. Since the parish property spans 5.6 hectares, the parish priest is installing life-sized Stations of the Cross around the property, aiming to make it a pilgrimage site for the area.

To see post on the other churches of Nueva Vizcaya click here.