San Joaquin church

The militaristic motif church was constructed in 1859 under the supervision of the Spanish priest Tomas Santaren, together with Spanish and Mexican artists. 

Baroque Architecture

This greyish-white church was made with coral stone or limestone and egg whites and a product of the sweat and blood of the natives who were employed forced labor by the Spaniards. It stood the test of time. The church became a fort when Moro raiders invade the Southern Panay coast. It also served as a evacuation centre during the Japanese occupation. In 1943, the church was ordered to be burn and the rest of the town. A powerful earthquake toppled down the old belfry in 1948. 

Beautiful stone carvings on the facade of the church. 

The carvings immortalized the Rendicion d' Tetuan or the Battle of Tetuan. The relief features Spanish forces defeating the Moros which resulted Spanish victory. Horses, men with guns and a medieval city dominate the pediment. It is the only church in the Philippines that has a touch of militarism. 

The national government declared the church a historical landmark in 1974. It is also listed as a National Cultural Treasure. The National Historical Institute payed all the expenses in the restoration and reconstruction of the church in 1982. 

St. Joaquin's feast day is celebrated every August 16.

photo credit to Chingky Quijano

dated June 04, 2012

San Joaquin, Iloilo

Philippines 

Miagao Church

Baroque Romansque architecture
(c) ChingkyQuijano

It took a decade to build Miagao church, also known as Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church. The construction began in 1787 under the supervision of Fray Francisco M. Gonzales O.S.A. and completed in 1797.

(c) ChingkyQuijano

The bas-relief facade features a large coconut tree that symbolizes as the "tree of life" in which St. Christopher is carrying the Child Jesus on his shoulders. I read that the Spanish missionaries selected this because for them, it embodies their mission to spread Christianity to other countries. The carvings also showed the traditions and life of Miagao residents.

Entrance door

The church was destroyed during the 1898 Revolution, damaged by fire in 1910, badly damaged by earthquake in 1948. It was subsequently rebuilt and the restoration work began in 1960 and ended in 1962.

(c) ChingkyQuijano

The church and its belfries or watchtowers served as fortress against raids by the Moros. 

That's why it is sometimes referred to as Miagao Fortress church since it sinks six meters deep into the ground with stone walls one-and-a-half meters thick and buttress thrice thicker in size for defensive purpose. 

Last summer I went for a tour around Ilocos Sur and Norte, when I saw Miagao church I remembered the Paoay church in Ilocos Norte. I told Mr. Noel, a lay minister/care taker of the church that Miagao church looks like San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.  He answered that just like the church in Paoay, Miagao church is also one of the Baroque churches in the Philippines.

The church was declared as part of the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE "Baroque churches of the Philippines" in 1993.

(c) ChingkyQuijano

The Baroque architecture can be seen only in four churches in the Philippines, the other two are San Agustin church in Manila and Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur.

colorful collection bag -- ILIKE :)

The Miagao church was declared a national shrine by Presidential Decree No. 260 of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Ilocos Sur Representative Imelda Marcos, Ferdinand's widow was said that she presented a painting of the Miagao church to the late Pope John Paul II making her an instrument of the church popularity.

Baptistery
(c) ChingkyQuijano

Mr. Noel opened the baptistery and allowed us to make a prayer-wish. *goosebumps*

Mother Mary image in Filipinia made of  pure wood.

According to Mr. Noel during the building of the church, the locals were asked to bring block of stones and eggs as their contribution. An egg yolk was used as binder. 

The white part is the "Apog" that is one of the original parts of the church since it was built.

Mr. Noel borrowed one of our cameras and repeatedly taking photos of Mother Mary. Then he showed us the photos and pointed out the Sacred Heart, Holy Trinity and angels images on the wall. *goose bumps* 

Scan the following five photos. 

(c) Chingky Quijano

Feel free to comment if you were able to see the images. 

with Mr. Noel, a lay minister/care taker of the church

He told us that his name, Noel is means "Christmas" in church, Noel means "no election" in politics but in Miagao Noel means "nothing excepts but love". 

 dated June 04 2012

Miagao, Iloilo

Philippines

Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral

The Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo was built in 1874 by the order of KGG. Mariano Cuertero, O.P., the first bishop of Jaro. In January 1948 it was destroyed by an earthquake. It was repaired in 1956 by the order of the first archbishop of Jaro, KGG. Jose Ma. Cuenco.

Exterior of Jaro Cathedral
(c) ChingkyQuijano

Today, the cathedral is also known as the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria 

(Our Lady of Candles).

Interior of Jaro Cathedral
(c) ChingkyQuijano

In 1976, the National Historical Institute proclaimed the Jaro Cathedral as a historical landmark.

Altar
(c) ChingkyQuijano

Baptismal service area
(c) ChingkyQuijano

Jaro Fiesta is annually celebrated every February 2 and it is said that it would last for more than a month or two. Month looooooOooooOong celebration...

HAPPY FIESTA! :)

Speaking of baptism...

Graciano Lopez Jaena 

(1856-1896) 

was baptized in this cathedral on December 20, 1856. He is a Filipino journalist, orator and revolutionary hero from Iloilo, well known for his written work, La Solidaridad. 

During the Pastoral Journey to the Philippines of Pope John Paul II, he made a visit to Iloilo on February 20 1981 to address the Laity from this balcony of the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral and crowned solemnly the Divine Infant and Nuestra  Señora de la Candelaria amidst an undreamed of rejoicing of the people.

On April 21, 1982 Pope John Paul II proclaimed Nuestra  Señora  de la Candelaria Patroness of the Western Visayas. 

The statue of Our Lady of Candles is carrying a lighted candle on her right hand and a child on the other. It is located on the façade of the Cathedral and may be reach through a staircase on each side.

It is believed that she brings protection and divine illumination to one’s path if the person asks for her help.

These candles have prayers praising, thanking and asking guidance from Our Lady of Candles.

Lightning of candles on the balcony is prohibited for safety purposes instead there are lighting areas located inside the cathedral and on each side of the entrance.

Belfry of Jaro Cathedral

Historically, this 19^th century bell tower served as a lookout from sea raiders.

There are also a Jesus Christ monument and Mother Mary monument placed infront of the cathedral which were both inaugurated in February 1925.

The walls were built of white and cream colored fossil rock and coral stones. Its exterior is baroque that also includes some neogothic and neoclassic elements.

dated June 04, 2012

Jaro, Iloilo

Philippines