Churches « Valerie Caulin – freelance writer

Archive for the ‘Churches’ Category

Dingle Church

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Iloilo is home to many old churches and one these is the church of Dingle, a peaceful town in eastern Iloilo. Like other churches in the province, Dingle Church is of Baroque architecture with its interiors showing features of the Neoclassical style. The parish church of San juan de Bautista is simple yet elegant. It is not lavishly adorned but it is a real beauty. Take a photo of it and you will see.

I have been longing to feature this church in this blog and finally we took a turn to Dingle to visit its wonderful sight like its church.And when we got there, we were not dismayed. It is indeed a nice church and should one of the old churches in Iloilo that a traveler should visit. I felt a little dismayed why it took me so long as a freelance writer to feature and share this church to my dear readers.

Going back to Dingle Church, its main component is limestone and I find it unique. In this part of Iloilo, baked bricks is the most common material as seen in the churches of Santa Barbara, Cabatuan and even of Janiuay. Limestone is more evident in southern Iloilo like that of Miag-ao Church. For this church, limestone was quarried in the mountains of Bulabog-Putian which is now a national park.

Another thing that I noticed with this church is that it only has one belltower. I’m not sure if it is really built like that or it was burned some time in its history. For its facade, it is well decorated given its smaller size compared to other old churches in Iloilo. Its facade aside from statues has a circular stained-glass of saints. In its center is a dome-shaped canopy that I presume to be part of its recent renovations. To be honest, it looks very off-tangent; it is pretty obvious to be a new addition.

on top is "ano 1886", the year that this church was finished

So, the next time you are here in Iloilo and have plenty of time to spare for visiting old churches, head to the town of Dingle. Aside from its church, this town is home to the Bulabog-Putian National Park.

Going to Dingle

Going to Dingle is not very accessible especially if you don’t have your own transportation. The town center is not accessible from the national highway going to northern Iloilo or to Capiz and Aklan. You can either take a jeepney to Dingle from Tagbak Terminal or hire a tricycle from the national highway going to Dingle center.

Tags: dingl church, Dingle, old church, old churches in Iloilo
Posted in Churches, Iloilo | No Comments »

Janiuay Church Ruins

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

The province of Iloilo has a lot to offer and for me one of its gems are its old churches. From the Gothic church of Molo to the UNESCO Heritage Church of Miag-ao, Iloilo’s old churches are something that its locals should be proud of. Another church that you can visit while in Iloilo is Janiuay church or shall we say, the Janiuay Church ruins.

During the holy week, my family went on a road trip around Panay Island and visit churches that I can feature in this blog as part of my gig as a freelance writer. And finally we stopped over in Janiuay and took photos of its old church’s ruins.

The old belltower

The old Janiuay Church was built on baked bricks and corals with its Neocalssical architecture as seen in its arches and openings. Sadly, it was destroyed during the Second World War and I assume that the damage was so great that the people of Janiuay, Iloilo didn’t bother to repair or renovate their beloved church.

This church is located on the hilly part of the town which gives it sort of a pedestal location for those who pass by to Janiuay. Many times, I look at this church when we pass by as we travel to Roxas or to Boracay wishing to visit it one day.

When visiting old churches of Iloilo, include the Janiuay Church Ruins in your itinerary as this town is not that far from the city. This town is only 30 minutes away from the city by jeepney.

Tags: churches in Iloilo, janiuay church ruins, old churches in Iloilo, old Philippine churches
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St. Anne Parish Church of Molo, Iloilo

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Visiting old churches is one of the things that you can do in Iloilo with the presence of old colonial churches in this province. The most famous is the Miag-ao Church which is more than an hour away from the city but if you don’t want to go beyond Iloilo City, then visit St. Anne Parish Church or simply, Molo Church.

Church's towers and Dome as seen across Panay River

Molo is one of the districts in Iloilo City and used to be a local Chinese community. The word “Molo” came from the word “Moro” which means, “Muslims” who used to attack the coastal areas of Panay for slaves. Locals said that the Chinese find it hard to pronounce the word “Moro”, hence the word “Molo”. Of course, Molo is also famous for “Molo soup”.

Molo Church is famous for its Gothic-Renaissance architecture with its distinct red towers making it one of the Gothic churches outside Manila ( e.g. the church of Calape, Bohol). Its Gothic features are its towers, its altar and the pulpit while its Renaissance features are with its dome and other designs in its interiors.

The Gothic inspired altar and pulpit of Molo Church

Aside from its architecture this church is also famous and dubbed as a “feminist” church with the presence of 16 statues of female saints inside. Built in late 19th century, it was in 1866 that the first foundation to build a church out of stone was laid. Molo Church is made of coral stones just like most churches in Panay Island. This church is named in honor of St. Anne which is also the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary hence, the maternal grandmother of Jesus Christ.

Its nave

On his way back to Manila from his years of exile in Mindanao, Jose Rizal visited this church and was impressed with some biblical painting adorning the church. Unfortunately, you can no longer see these paintings. During the Second World War, it became an evacuation center and its towers were even used by different forces as an advantage point in shooting at the enemies. In 1992, St. Anne Parish Church of Molo was formally declared as a national landmark by the National Historical Institute.

Statues of Saint Juliana, Lucia, Rosa de Lima, Teresita, Clara, Cecilia, Margarita and Marta

Dome with paintings of four evangelists on each corner

To get there, just take any jeepney bound for Molo in the city proper.

San Joaquin Church

Panay Church

Tags: churches in Iloilo, gothic church, Gothic churches in the Philippines, Molo Church, St. Anne Parish Church
Posted in Churches, Iloilo | 1 Comment »

The Militaristic Colonial Church of San Joaquin

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

I have visited the church of San Joaquin and usually for Holy Week’s Visita Iglesia. More than a hour from the city of Iloilo, the town of San Joaquin is also a great escape for those who want to go on a road trip. And with a better camera, a freelance writer like me won’t miss writing about this historical church even with the threat of a heat stroke

The whole church is quite similar to that of Miag-ao Church as it also uses limestone and coral stones as its main materials. Intricate carvings of different figures and oriental designs like flowers adorn this unassuming church in southern Iloilo.

When visiting the parish church of San Joaquin, take note of its unique facade and it’s facade is in fact its main attraction. Contrary to most baroque churches wherein facades would show saints and other religious themes, San Joaquin Church depicts a military scene – the Battle of Tetuan. This battle is part of the Spanish-Moroccan War and during the church’s construction, the news of the Spanish victory came to the parish priest’s knowledge. Speaking of union of church and state.

Unfortunately, my husband/photographer failed to take a close shot to its facade ( we’ll go back there..:-) ), this is the closer look that I can give you. Here are also some links to famous bloggers with great shots of this facade. click here!

the church's facade depicting the Battle of Tetuan

Considered as a National Treasure, I hope that the local government and other organizations can give more credit and attention to this unique colonial church. I feel pity to this church as its glory is obviously overshadowed by the fortress church of Miag-ao which is also the town before San Joaquin.

the humble interior of San Joaquin Church

By featuring this church as a freelance writer, in my own little way I know I help in promoting this church. You can reach to town of San Joaquin from Iloilo City by taking a jeepney or a bus bound to Antique. Like most churches in the country, it is located in the town’s center and just a stone away from the plaza or town square.

Related Articles

San Joaquin Cemetery

Miag-ao Church

Santa Barbara Church

Tags: church of san joaquin, churches in Iloilo, san joaquin church
Posted in Churches, Iloilo | No Comments »

Miag-ao Church: Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Miag-ao Church or Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church is one of the Baroque Churches in the Philippines that belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Along with the baroque churches of Intramuros, Paoay (Ilocos Norte) and Santa Maria (Ilocos Sur), Miag-ao Church is something that we should be proud of.

I first learned about this “yellowish” church ( due to its silt and clay material) when I was processing my college admission for University of the Philippines that has a campus in Miag-ao. And for four years, this church has been my place of worship as I stayed and studied in Miag-ao for my four-year college education. And through my class in Humanities, I learned more about how brilliant its designs and architecture are as European Baroque elements were impressively interpreted by local craftsmen.

Well decorated facade of Miag-ao Church

One of the striking feature of Miag-ao Church is its facade of a man carrying a child in the middle of a forest. As explained to me and to the rest of my classmate, it was St. Christopher carrying the Infant Jesus in the midst of local trees like papaya, coconut and guava.

Statue of the Spanish King

Pope's Statue

There are also three statues in its facade, namely that of St. Thomas de Villanueva, the Pope and a Spanish king who was then the ruling monarch of Spain during its construction in the 18th century.

Left tower showing its buttresses

Like Paoay Church, it also has buttresses which defends the church from earthquakes, making these type of churches as “Earthquake baroques”. Also if you are keen enough, its two towers are not of the same proportion.

Four-storey right tower

three-storey left tower

Its right tower has four storeys while the left only has three. The towers were built under two different parish priests with the other having his own preference on how many storeys the tower should have. Before, visitors can climb its belltower but lately it is now prohibited when one Korean tourist rang the bell and caused a commotion in the whole town. Keep in mind that ringing the church’s bell still means something from mourning, weddings even to alert the people of a disaster like fire, earthquake or flood.

Church's interior

Miag-ao Church is not plainly a place of worship but served military purpose as a fortress. It sits on a hill, and you can see a nice angle of this church as you cross the bridge going Miag-ao. The church served as a watchtower against raiding Muslims or Moros who attacked coastal towns in Panay and make the captured people as slaves. Hence, the Salakayan Festival of Miag-ao.

How to get there

You can take a jeepney going to Miag-ao from the Super Market in Iloilo City ( close to Robinson’s Place) or in Mohon Terminal in Villa.

Related Articles

Santa Barbara Parish Church and Convent

Paoay Church of Ilocos Norte

Santa Barbara Golf Course

El Dorado Water Park

Tags: Baroque churches, Iloilo, Miag-ao, Miag-ao Church, Miag-ao Parish Church, Sto.Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church
Posted in Churches, Iloilo, landmarks | 6 Comments »

Where have you been in 2009?

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Revamping this site to feature destinations and travel in general as much as possible, I looked back for this year in terms of where I have set foot in. Turns out that I have traveled so much this year! Yipee! Take the fact that my son has become older that I can leave him for a night or two for some “me time” traveling. Likewise, he is bigger to bring along to further destinations.

I excluded Roxas City and the rest of Capiz province as well as Kalibo and Aklan since we always go there. So here are the places that I have been too this year:

1. Zamboanga del Norte

Dakak

I have been to Mindanao a thousand times ( my mom is from Lanao del Norte), it is still a path unknown to me. And to visit and explore the peaceful Zamboanga del Norte was amazing. We’ve been to Dakak ( I just love it), Dipolog and Dapitan. I love the unspoiled scenery of Zamboanga.

2. Misamis Occidental

Aki having fun with the monkey in Cotta

My husband hails from Ozamiz City and we visited their place during the Holy Week. I have been to Ozamiz City before I even met him and last Holy Week, we went to different places in the province like Jimenez with their old church and passed different municipalities along the way.

It was my first time to see real dolphins..haha!

For my baby who loves the water so much ( just like me), we visited the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP) in the town of Sinabacan which is just 25 minutes away from Ozamiz City. I found this blog which has complete information about MOAP. Click here!

3. Guimaras

Alubijod, Guimaras

Oh, the romantic and tranquil island of Guimaras. I visited the island once again this year with my high school barkadas last June. And an interesting fact that one of the women I admire, Daphne Osena-Paez worked and lived in Guimaras for a year. We stayed in Villa Igang Resort and visited Guisi Beach, Guisi Lighthouse and Ruins, Trappist Monastery, etc..

4. Cebu

Aki swimming with his cousin, Boodie in Shangrila Mactan

Should I include this? I’m from Cebu and of course, Iloilo is just an hour away by plane. But this year is different since I came home many times, 4 times to be exact. Even as a local of Cebu it was my first time to visit Shangrila Mactan, the Parola in Lilo-an and the Museum of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Cebu.

5. Manila

"Can I feed them Ma?"

Manila as the capital city serves as the stoppver for many our trips and sometimes we stay for one night to check out this vibrant city. When we went to Mindanao last Holy Week, we treated our son to the Manila Ocean Park but it was not as impressive since we came from MOAP where we really touched sea animals in their own habitant.

When my husband went to Ilocos, we stayed for one night in Manila before going home. And a creepy thing happened, my husband saw a vision of a child burning in pain while we slept in our hotel room. Creepy! I won’t share what hotel it was..I don’t want to ruin their business..haha!

6. Ilocos Norte and Sur

Where is Simon Ibarra?

Our Ilocos trip was the best for this year. I have been dreaming of Ilocos in years and if I remember it right, I once said that I will marry the man that will take me to Ilocos. haha!

There was a storm, Santi hitting Luzon when we went there with some flights cancelled but we conquered them all and had a wonderful time in Ilocos. When we were in Vigan, we missed our son so much that we didn’t have much fun as we should have.

7. Boracay

ahh..unwind and relax..

I have been to Boracay six times and I shouldn’t put this on my list since I can always go here if I wanted to. But nevertheless, I include this since we spent our special Christmas day in Boracay and it turned out to be the best Boracay trip I ever had. Lessons learned- stay in Station 1 and avoid avoid the peak season during summer.

There is my list. How about you? Where were you in 2009?

Tags: Cebu, Guimaras, Ilocos, manila, philippine destinations, zamboange
Posted in Cebu, Churches, Guimaras, Ilocos Norte, Misamis Occidental, Zamboange del Norte, beaches | No Comments »

Sarrat Church

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

Sarrat Church

After we had our hearty breakfast of Ilocano longganisa dipped in their native vinegar (now I’m drooling) in Balay da Blas where we stayed, we headed to the quite town of Sarrat which a few kilometers from the city proper of Laoag City. There are two main attractions in this town – The Edralin-Marcos Museum and the Sarrat Church.

Sta. Monica Parish Church and Bell Tower

Sta. Monica Parish Church or simply Sarrat Church is one of the most popular destinations in Ilocos Norte not just for its heritage and cultural significance but it was this same church that one of the most lavish weddings in the country happened. It was in June 11, 1983 that then presidential daughter Irene Marcos wed a member of the scion clan of the Aranetas, Greggy Araneta.

The wedding was one of the ways that the Marcoses showed their indulgence as they built the Laoag Airport and the Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino just for the wedding. The sleepy town was transformed into a bustling village during the Marcos-Araneta Nuptials that many people compared it to the royal wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. And it doesn’t end there, for the church was badly damaged when a 7.6 intensity earthquake hit Sarrat which some say was a premonition of the inevitable downfall of the Marcos regime.

The town of Sarrat is important for the Marcos family since the president, Ferdinand Marcos was born in this town before they moved to Batac when he was eight. Fabian Ver who was also very active during the Marcos regime was from Sarrat. One of the guesthouses of Marcos is in Sarat which was abandoned for many years and now a government office.

Sarrat Church Bell Tower

Setting aside Marcos- Araneta weddings, Sta. Monica Church is no doubt a very lovely structure of Neo-classical and Baroque features. Its bell tower which was severely damaged during the earthquake is now fully restored. The façade of Sarrat Church is not intricate but is made of baked red bricks with some jars used as ornament. The church also faces a river in which during summer, huts were built for families along with balikbayans to have some nice picnic along the riverbank.

The river across the Church which also a preserved naure park.

The simple interior of the church

The interior of the church is also very simple, not a hint of glamor from the wedding that happened more than two decades ago. No tall pillar or sculptures inside, maybe the ornaments were all ravaged by the past earthquakes that the church succumbed to in the past.

Parish museum

Another structure that lies just next to the church is its Museum. It’s hard to miss this building for yet again, made of red baked bricks which always attract my attention. We missed the chance to visit the museum since it was a Sunday when we went there. I have read in one blog that the museum was once a trial court during the Spanish era.

Tags: Ilocos Norte, Sarrat Church, Sarrat Ilocos Norte, Sta. Monica Church
Posted in Churches, Ilocos Norte | 1 Comment »

Paoay Church of Ilocos Norte

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

paoay church

Traveling all the way up to the northern part of Luzon, to the province of Ilocos Norte is worthwhile once you gaze upon the Church of St. Agustine in the town of Paoay. More commonly known as Paoay Church, this Baroque Church belongs to the list of UNESCO Heritage Site.

Though the parish was first founded in 1593 by the Augustinians, construction only started almost 200 years later. With primitive tools in hand and technology, it was finally complete in 1896. Its bell tower is separated from the church and was used by Filipino fighters as an outlook post during the revolution against the Spaniards and during the Second World War.

paoay church

The facade of the Paoay Church is still in its original form with traces of Oriental, Gothic and Baroque architecture. Though not as intricate as those found in the facade of Miag-ao Church, in Iloilo ( another World Heritage Church), there is something special with its look. Not just due to its antiquity, but due to the different influences specially the Oriental side.

It is made of bricks ( the lower part) and coral stone( the upper part); coral stones are common materials during the Spanish era. But comparing it to old churchs specially in the Visayas, the bricks and stones were not glued with egg yolks but rather of stucco plaster and tree sap.

paoay church

The main distinction of the Paoay Church are its 24 buttresses which supports its walls three meters thick from earthquakes. The buttresses are even visible in satellite images. Though this church has suffered two massive earthquakes, the exterior and the facade were spared; damage was done to its interior. With this, columns were added to the church’s interior to support is ceiling from possible earthquakes.

paoay church

Tip:

If you are into photography, visit Paoay Church at dusk when the church gleams its orange hue.

Related Article:

Marcos Mausoleum

Tags: Baroque churches, Paoay Church, Paoay Church Ilocos, UNESCO Heritage
Posted in Churches | 3 Comments »

Baclayon Church: One of Bohol’s Ecclesiastical Treasures

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Baclayon Church's Facade 2

The Visayan island of Bohol is celebrated for its unspoiled beaches, it’s big eyed smallest lemur known as the tarsier and the chocolate hills – just to name a few. But this still and tranquil island is a great place to walking tours especially when it comes to old churches.

There are many old and well-preserved churches all over Bohol as this island was not badly damaged during the Second World War and was truly blessed not to have suffered calamities like earthquakes. From the Gothic church of Calape to the church in Dauis with miraculous water from its well - Bohol is one destination to go when it comes to old churches.

The church of Baclayon or the Church of Lady of the Immaculate Conception lies just 6 kilometers from the Bohol’s capital, the city of Tagbilaran. Constructed by Spanish clergy utilizing forced labor among the natives, this old church is made of coral stone with egg whites used to fasten the blocks together- very typical among Spanish colonial churches in the Philippines.

Tiered bell towers and coral stone materials are common in Philippine old churches but Baclayon church somehow differ in some ways- its lavish interiors. Most old churches have archaic and well-preserved facade with the interiors modern or less outstanding. But with this church, its interior is equally inspiring. Its altar have exquisite designs with its ceiling that can leave you in awe.

Baclayon Church's beautiful altar

Private institutions helped to fix this organ

Imagine the priest delivering his sermon on top of his lungs for more than 2 hours...

Second oldest church

Striking Baclayon Church at night

Promoted and written in some blogs that this church is the second oldest church is the Philippines next to the Church in Intramuros, it isn’t. Some claim that is was constructed in 1595 but what I remember in my class in Cultural History is that the said claim is based on the founding of the parish of Baclayon by Jesuit priests that came from the neighboring island of Cebu. But its real construction to a stone church started centuries after.

And to be more factual and reliable ( since I only got 2.50 mark from my Cultural History class ), here is the statement from the Heritage Conservation Society regarding this debate:

“Despite claims that the present stone church in Baclayon is the oldest in the Philippines, evidence places the construction of the church to 1727. The belief that the church was built in 1595 may have come because of a 19th century report by the Recollects that the mission was founded in 1595; but the same report lists two other dates 1593 and 1594. The date 1595 inscribed on the church façade is a later addition.”

Nevertheless, Baclayon church is still a heritage church that everyone should be proud of. The date of its construction is not the most important thing but rather its role on the lives of the people of Baclayon through the years.

How to get there

If you are not renting a van that can take you directly to Baclayon, cheaper alternatives are taxis and tricycles.

Taxi fare from Tagbilaran to Baclayon is 200-250 pesos.

If you want tricycle, you can rent if for 100-200 from Tagbilaran to Baclayon.

If you don’t want to rent, take a tricycle to Tagbilaran Provincial Hospital (fare is 10 pesos per pax) then take a jeepney to Baclayon ( 7 pesos per pax).

Photos and details by: Ace Francisco

Related Article:

Loboc River

Tags: Baclayon Church, Bohol island, church in Bohol, things to see in Bohol
Posted in Bohol, Churches | 2 Comments »

Santa Barbara Church and Convent

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

santa barbara

It was more than 6 years ago that I first seen and visited the historical church of Santa Barbara with its nostalgic convent owing it to my class in Local History which I don’t consider as local since I’m not Ilongga. I felt like a tourist and asked a lot of things to our professor who was more knowledgable about the church than the tour guide with my classmates just touring around obviously familiar with this church. And now that I am based in Iloilo I still admire this place and frequently drops by for a lazy Sunday afternoon drive.

The Santa Barbara Church and Convent has been a National Treasure since 1991 with its role not just as well-preserved religious structure but served as a headquarters for local rebels who fought against the Spaniards. Led by Gen. Martin Delgado, local soldiers with their primitive bolos proclaimed their rebellion against the Spanish rule – the first documented rebellion outside Luzon. Thus, this church is also known as the “Cradle of Ilonggo Revolution”.

Its facade is of neoclassical architecture but its convent is far more impressive with its preserved structures since it was built in 1855-1878.

santa barbara

The Santa Barbara Convent with its noticeable red bricks is of Hispanic Moorish architecture or what they call as the “mudejar” architecture. Using brick as its main material, these type of structures are common in Southern Spain like in Seville and Aragon.

santa barbara

Though I have visited the Santa Barbara Church and Convent many times, I only entered the convent’s interior once during my said trip more than 6 years ago. I can still vividly remember the errie feeling creeping in our bones as I pretended to be Maria Clara and another class clown as Crisostomo Ibarra. And true to its military purposes, there are many secret passages in the convent.

Lying just 16 kilometers from Iloilo City, a side trip to Santa Barbara Church and Convent is a nice idea if you are in Iloilo. And if you are in Santa Barbara, you can also visit the Santa Barbara Golf Course which is the oldest existing golf course in the country. You can also visit their local museum which is just across the church.

Did you know?

It is illegal in Santa Barba to use plastic bags. Instead, this use bags made from paper, buri and other prescribed non-plastic containers. Such move is obviously for the town to answer the call of Mother Earth.

How to get there

Santa Barbara is only less than 20 minutes from Iloilo City and lies close to the airport. From the city, take a jeepney bound for Santa Barbara in University of the Philippines campus fronting Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital or from SM City ( you have to cross the street from SM City).

Tags: churches in Iloilo, Santa Barba Church and Convent, Santa Barbara Iloilo
Posted in Churches, Iloilo | 4 Comments »

Valerie Caulin

Archive for the ‘Churches’ Category

Dingle Church

Janiuay Church Ruins

St. Anne Parish Church of Molo, Iloilo

The Militaristic Colonial Church of San Joaquin

Miag-ao Church: Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church

Where have you been in 2009?

Sarrat Church

Paoay Church of Ilocos Norte

Baclayon Church: One of Bohol’s Ecclesiastical Treasures

Santa Barbara Church and Convent

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