My brother Mikle got it right when he said that it is so easy to get Mama’s happiness. Bring her to a beautiful church where she may spend some quiet moments and she’ll be good for the day. It was for that reason that our mother has been so curious about the big cross that stands prominently across the Tineg skyline.

As soon as we were finished immersing ourselves with the verdant landscapes of Apao Rolling Hills, the goal was to find where the base of the cross stands. After a few turns across the hills we finally found it, and at its foot stands a beautiful chapel.

We were not sure if the chapel was open to welcome visitors, but some small exploration at the area led us to an open side passage. The interior of the chapel is beautiful in its simplicity, featuring an altar, the crucifix of the Lord at the center, and the images of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Padre Pio on both sides.

As there was no one in the chapel when we arrived, there was no one to ask as to whether the chapel is privately owned or a sub-parish chapel of the Diocese of Bangued. We do have the impression that the chapel was still new, as heaps of sand from construction are still around the area. A quick browse in social media informed us that it is actually known as the Padre Pio Chapel of Apao.

Mama got mightily excited over the prospect of finding a chapel on the top of a hill, as the place was very comfortable with the cool breeze blowing through the windows of the prayer house. She brought her rosary out and started to pray as she does everyday. As for us, we offered some short prayers, then headed to check out the vicinity.

As we move towards the back of the chapel, we found out that the cross was actually standing there. The cross is high enough to dominate the mountain skyline, as if reminding everyone that apart from being imbued with so much beauty, there is also the presence of the Master Builder who protects the area; the Master Builder who crafted the mountains is also the one who protects them and all those who live under its embrace.

While looking around, Ran and I took some photos. After all, since Mama started her rosary, it would be at least 15 minutes of free time while we wait for her to finish her prayers.

It was time for us to go to as soon as Mama wrapped-up her prayers. Initially, the idea was to go straight to our accommodation in order to freshen-up and rest, then just continue with our tour in the afternoon. It was settled, but an hour on the road, I took a turn to stop at the church of the town of Tayum, the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church.

Late have I loved you, Oh Beauty ever ancient, ever new.

St. Augustine of Hippo

Built in the 19th century, the Tayum Church is unique as it is one of the few Spanish era churches that were built by the secular priests, placed under the patronage of St. Catherine of Alexandria. The church suffered from major damages during the 2022 magnitude 7.0 earthquake, rendering it to a state of disuse like the churches in Vigan and Bantay in Ilocos Sur which suffered from the same earthquake.

At this point of our trip, everybody else in the car were asleep, hence only Ran and I went down for a quick photo, then we were back on the road.

The contrast between the chapel in Tineg and the parish church in Tayum is so stark. One sturdy in its novelty, another damaged in its age. Both are beautiful anyway. There is beauty in all things new, in the same way that there is beauty in antiquity. As the renowned Bishop of Hippo would put it, beauty ever ancient, ever new.

It was just the midday of our first day in Abra and it felt like we’ve already been through a lot of memorable experiences. We still got the afternoon and two more days though. It would be such a pity if we fail to make the most out of it, so we’re determined not to fail.