Roaming Ilocos: Batac
Another 20 minutes or so of the bus zooming from San Nicolas, I found myself standing in front of the Ricarte National Shrine in Batac. The what? Yes, you read correctly. There is such a thing. Not that the shrine was in my list since as said in the previous entry, I just wrote ‘whatever’ across the name Batac. Meaning, there is no other place I have to see, other than those I already know. But where I got off, I saw this national shrine, so I went to see the place. It has a big building with library and museum, there is even a veterans’ office and there is such a big big park/garden. At the back of the building near a wall is a big big admirable carved mural. I am not sure if it is made of wood or cement due to the color used. But I would think it is cement because it sits out in the open and under the elements. In any case, it is such a wonderful depiction of the Ilocano life and I wonder why it was erected there just back of the building and near the perimeter wall. Oh yes, this is ...