Place: Basilica Minore de Nuestra Senora de Piat (Piat, Cagayan)
Date: 25 May 2008

Aunt Julie woke me up at 3:17AM to take my shower. It’s time to get on the road again. For this day, we will drop by the Piat Church first then have lunch in Pagudpud (Ilocos Norte) then home. Since we didn’t check out Sagada the day before, brother texted me and Aunt Julie to insist for us to tell our other companions to check the Piat Church. Because Piat’s just a next town from Tuao (where we stayed the night), we all agreed to hear the first mass there. The first mass was at 5:30AM, so we have to be on the road by 4:30AM.

Our great host served us great breakfast — so many native delicacies! However, there was a brown out, so we were all forced to rush ourselves. It’s weird travelling at 4:15 in the morning, but it’s great welcoming the day seeing the wonderful nature at dawn. By 5:20AM, we were already in the church.

*** The church entrance, which is actually at the back of the church. ***

*** The church’s facade. Simple, yet elegant. ***

There were still some time before the mass started, so we all went out by the candle station to offer some prayers. There were a few snapshots here and there, then we all took our seats to hear the mass. I was a bit sad that I wasn’t able to remember the gospel and the homily (sorry).

The church inside was so wonderful! And I really love the ceiling! It was the first time I see such ceiling! I wonder how they created that, how they bended the wood to look like that. No chandeliers inside, but still wonderful! Usually, the stained glass decorations in the windows depict the way of the cross, but in this church, the stained glass decorations depict the miracles of the Lady of Piat.

*** The look inside the church. So simple, so serene ***

*** The altar ***

*** The Lady of Piat up-close ***

*** The choir deck atop the entrance ***

There was a park outside the church, too, but it was hard to take pictures at this time of the day because the sun was shining directly at the park. We tried to take pictures still, but I chose not to post anymore because of our squint eyes. =)

There were so many miraculous stories pertaining to the Lady of Piat. Brother said the Lady of Piat is much more miraculous compared to the Lady of Manaoag, but was not that popular. I admit, this is the first time I have heard of her. When brother told us about it, I really had no clue about it. But of course I was so happy meeting her. As always, it is good health, long life, and close family ties that I prayed for.

We checked out the souvenir shop, but their items were quite expensive, so we decided not to buy. After buying some native delicacies outside the church, we all went our way. Primarily, it was time to go home, we will just stop by in some places for some photo ops. More of that next post.

To read more about this church, please visit the official website, here.