A historical landmark in the rustic town of Batac is the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church that was built during the Spanish era.  It is plastered with the original palitada – a mixture of lime, sand, water, and molasses or egg whites.  This church has been the center around which the townspeople have directed their faith and way of livfe and continues to be a precious heritage of the town''s vibrant past.

History

In 1587, the Augustinians appointed Fr. Esteban Marin as the first prior of Batac. Another prior, Fr. Pedro de Vivar, wrote the “Relacion” retelling Diego Silang's rise against the Spaniards in 1762. In 1620, however, the original buildings were destroyed. Fr. Pedro Cariaga began reconstructing the church in 1690 and finished it in 1692.

Architectural Structure

The present church is the 1692 reconstruction. Its facade has been renovated recently, whitewashed, and plastered with the original palitada - a decorative plaster used to protect and decorate soft volcanic stones that form these colonial-era churches. The palitada is a mixture of lime, sand, water, and molasses or egg whites.

The original features and authentic colors give the church a Romanesque look with an Italian influence exemplified by recessed portals, embellished wheel windows, and inverted moldings. Heavy twin pilasters complement the large rose window and the wide opening of the main portal.

Visiting Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church

•    By Land: Partas, GV Florida Transport, Dominion Bus Lines, Philippine Rabbit and Fariñas Transit have regular trips that will take you directly to Laoag City. Travel Time: From Manila to Laoag City, 10-12 hours. So, I advise you go on a night trip for this.
•    By Plane. Take a direct flight from Manila to Laoag via Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines. Travel Time: From Manila to Laoag City is about an hour. Flights are usually at night, so better make the necessary adjustments on your itinerary.

Then from Laoag City, you can hire a jeepney that will take you from Laoag to the nearest towns of Paoay and Batac. Batac is about 15km away from Laoag.

Accommodations in Laoag are also available. There are lots of inns and hotels throughout the town offering comfortable rooms and cottages at reasonable prices.

•    Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel - Brgy. 37 Calayab, Laoag (Ilocos Norte), Ilocos Region, Philippines
•    Pamulinawen Hotel - National Highway, Brgy. 22, 2901 San Nicholas, Laoag (Ilocos Norte), Ilocos Region, Philippines
•    Plaza Del Norte Hotel and Convention Center- 15 Suba, Paoay, Laoag (Ilocos Norte), Ilocos Region, Philippines
•    Grand Octagon Resort - Airport Ave., Brgy.50, Butong, Laoag (Ilocos Norte), Ilocos Region, Philippines
•    Java Hotel - 55B Salet Gen. Segundo Avenue, Laoag City, Laoag (Ilocos Norte), Ilocos Region, Philippines
•    Mira de Polaris Hotel - Ventura St., Brgy. San Francisco,San Nicolas, Laoag (Ilocos Norte), Ilocos Region, Philippines