I joined a group vacation from the office to Ilocandia. There were ten of us, setting a Quezon City rendezvous for the expectedly long drive. One simply didn't show up.  We each harbored a private agenda, aside from the common desire to finally see Pagudpud. Some had Vigan furniture in mind, another visited his grandparents, and others wanted to spend some quality time together on holiday.

I wanted to see the only two churches on the UNESCO World Heritage List, supposedly prime examples of Filipino Baroque.   So one morning I searched for, and discovered, the Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur. Perched majestically on a hill overlooking the town, the steps leading to the church from the main road is a favorite scene of painters and photographers.