"Tagudin Sundial, being the oldest sundial in the Philippines is the only sundial used by the Spaniards during their era in the country."
During those years wherein the use of wrist watch is not common or could it be common but hindi lang uso, people have devised ways to know the time. In England, they use the stonehenge to tell time. In the town of Tagudin, they use the sundial. Nope, you don't need to dial something because the sun will dial it for you, lols :p
The First Sundial in the Philippines
They may look ordinary. Ordinary person without the thirst for knowledge, history and interesting trivia may just say, "So what about that? A monument with numbers?"
But for history freaks and people inclined with history, this ordinary monument is a treasure to behold, a precious gem to consider and a golden part of our heritage to be taken care of.
History
Tagudin is indeed a historical town. The town had an important role during World War II. Well, I am not saying that I am pro-war. Wars have been a part of the history of mankind and there's no way we can turn back time to revert it. The town of Tagudin is part of those wars that most of us wouldn't agree to happen, right?
It was the site of the Base Hospital of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) in 1945 during World War II which is believed to be the largest World War II hospital in the Philippines. The town used to be the capital of the defunct Amburayan province and the site of the military general headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth Army 1st and 12th Infantry Division and the USAFIP-NL 121st Infantry Regiments. They were stationed in the town and was active during World War II (1942 to 1945) and Post-War Era (1945 to 1946). I will be talking more about the history of the town for the upcoming post for this series. For now, we will focus more on the sundial.
Tagudin Sundial, being the oldest sundial in the Philippines is the only sundial used by the Spaniards during their era in the Philippines. Built in 1841 and 1848 respectively, the Tagudin sundials are still in use now and considered to be accurate in telling the time. The sundials ware built by Father Juan Sorolla.
![Tagudin Sundial]( "Tagudin Sundial")
The one at the plaza is readily available for everyone. The one inside the school requires you to ask permission first. When I visited the latter, I asked permission from the security guard.
The photo above is a scene inside the St. Agustine School which takes charge of the other sundial.
![Tagudin Sundial]( "Tagudin Sundial")
It was the site of the Base Hospital of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) in 1945 during World War II which is believed to be the largest World War II hospital in the Philippines. The town used to be the capital of the defunct Amburayan province and the site of the military general headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth Army 1st and 12th Infantry Division and the USAFIP-NL 121st Infantry Regiments. They were stationed in the town and was active during World War II (1942 to 1945) and Post-War Era (1945 to 1946). I will be talking more about the history of the town for the upcoming post for this series. For now, we will focus more on the sundial.
Tagudin Sundial, being the oldest sundial in the Philippines is the only sundial used by the Spaniards during their era in the Philippines. Built in 1841 and 1848 respectively, the Tagudin sundials are still in use now and considered to be accurate in telling the time. The sundials ware built by Father Juan Sorolla.
Location
The one at the plaza is readily available for everyone. The one inside the school requires you to ask permission first. When I visited the latter, I asked permission from the security guard.
The photo above is a scene inside the St. Agustine School which takes charge of the other sundial.
Underrated and Why?
For regular tourists in Ilocos Sur, of course, they will be particualr about the city of Vigan and the ample destinations and food they can experience there, the UNESCO World Heritage Church of Sta. Maria, The Bantay Bell Tower and others. But if you ask about the Sundial, I bet few are familiar about it.
For this case, who is to blame why this historical niche in the Philippines in not well known? Are we going to blame the DOT for not promoting it? Or the Local Government Unit for not promoting it too? Or simply blame ourselves for not exerting an effort to research some historical accounts of the places we are visiting?
More about Tagudin for the upcoming posts in this series. Please keep posted!
![Map of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur]( "Map of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur")
For this case, who is to blame why this historical niche in the Philippines in not well known? Are we going to blame the DOT for not promoting it? Or the Local Government Unit for not promoting it too? Or simply blame ourselves for not exerting an effort to research some historical accounts of the places we are visiting?
More about Tagudin for the upcoming posts in this series. Please keep posted!
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You are reading the Part 1 of the Tagudin town series of the #Town Explorer