I first went to Cabatuan when my college classmate who hailed from this town invited me and another friend for their town fiesta. And I can still remember that when the jeepney passed by the Cabatuan Cemetery, it really caught my attention and no matter how crowded that jeepney was, I looked outside and was amazed with this old structure.
It has this certain grandeur amidst its simplicity and one look of it, you know that it was once a very well decorated and beautiful structure. Little did I know that years after, when I become a freelance writer,I would feature and promote this place.
The town of Cabatuan in Iloilo is known as the “Pilgrimage Town” with its colonial church and cemetery. For the modern-day travelers, this town is known as one of the towns closest to the new Iloilo Airport. Nevertheless, this town is worth visiting especially if you are into photography.
Cabatuan cemetery is one of the colonial cemeteries in the country and one of the most beautiful and well preserved in the province of Iloilo. It was built way back in late 19th century by Spanish friars who used to dominate the Philippine Catholic Church. Like other Spanish projects, this cemetery was well decorated with rosette designs using gray stones and limestones.
Its mortuary chapel is the center of this cemetery with its unique octagonal shape. With some intricate designs adorning the chapel, its original dome was destroyed during the Second World War. It was replaced with a flat roof which we see today.
from the main gate leading to the chapel
The whole Cemetery has designs and features from various elements like Classical, Baroque and Romanesque. The Heritage Conservation Society mentioned that this Cabatuan cemetery was “built on a rise and approached through a flight of stairs” similar to other cemeteries in Iloilo like that of San Joaquin, but the present cemetery lies on a flat surface along the road.
Fence of gray stones and wrought iron
The cemetery of Cabatuan should be one of the places that travelers check out when coming and visiting Iloilo. The next time you visit Iloilo, include Cabatuan as one of the towns that you will visit with its colonial church and cemetrey. Much more, this is very close to the airport making this place very accessible. And I hope in my own little way as a freelance writer, I promoted this heritage and the town of Cabatuan as well.
For old photos of the Cabatuan Cemetery, click here.
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Tags: Cabatuan cemetery, Cabatuan Iloilo, colonial cemetries in the Philippines, Philippine cemeteries
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