{"id":12440,"date":"2019-08-09T12:00:59","date_gmt":"2019-08-09T04:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/?p=12440"},"modified":"2021-04-21T17:24:41","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T09:24:41","slug":"tukon-church-in-basco-batanes-a-stone-made-chapel-sitting-on-top-of-the-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/2019\/08\/09\/tukon-church-in-basco-batanes-a-stone-made-chapel-sitting-on-top-of-the-hill\/","title":{"rendered":"Mt. Carmel Chapel in Basco, Batanes: A Stone-Made Church Sitting on Top of a Hill"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anyone would immediately think of vast greeneries and stone houses when we speak of Batanes, but did you know that there’s also a stone-made chapel that sits on top of a hill?<\/p>\n

Mt. Carmel Chapel, <\/strong>also known as Tukon Church,<\/strong>\u00a0was first established on May 3, 2008, at Sitio Tukon, Barangay Chanarian, Batanes. It adopted the design of a traditional Ivatan house made of stone walls, making it the only chapel embodying such design.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also read:\u00a0Batanes 4-Day Itinerary: Experiencing Heaven\u2019s Beloved Island<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"The chapel adopted the design of a traditional Ivatan house made of stone<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Mt. Carmel Chapel\u00a0also manifests solemnity and tranquility as it perfectly sits on top of a hill, overlooking the lush greenery of Batanes, as well as the Pacific Ocean and the West Philippine Sea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The ceilings of the chapel were once covered with paintings of the patron saints of their six municipalities. Unfortunately,\u00a0a strong typhoon hit Batanes in 2016, and Mt. Carmel Chapel\u00a0was one of the churches destroyed. The inside ceiling collapsed, including the image of their Patron Saint, San Jose de Obrero or St. Joseph the Worker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also read:\u00a0North Batan Island, Batanes: The Center of Local Livelihood and Breathtaking Landscapes<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"The inside of the chapel<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Today, the image is kept on the sidelines and the ceilings are\u00a0not fully restored. <\/span><\/p>\n

As the community continues to move forward and bring back the beauty of Mt. Carmel Chapel, they still hold\u00a0Sunday masses for the community at 4 p.m.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip: There is a donation box just by the arch before entering the chapel for those who would want to help rebuild the chapel.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Also read:\u00a0South Batan Island, Batanes: A Rustic Harbor of Pasturelands and Fishing Communities<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

How to get here<\/strong><\/p>\n