looking at a solid structure occupying the town's central park was remarkably stunning. i've never seen a church in such a very solid form. this is the church of Miagao, one of the four Baroque churches in the Philippines declared to be a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Miagao is about 40kilometers from Iloilo city and just about 10minutes away from Guimbal church. this is my last stop of the three churches that i've picked to visit. i made sure that this will be my end point.
Miagao church or also known as the church of Sto Tomas de Villanueva, was first constructed in the late 18th century by the Spanish friars. like the town of Guimbal, this town was attacked by pirates many times. several churches, within the town before this, were burned making the friars and the town people build a stronger and solid structure.
the unique facade art of the church represents the town's livelihood which was farming. the facade art shows St. Christopher carrying the child Jesus on his back. the papaya trees and other ornamental icons creates a native look.
the church's facade also has the icon of the pope and that of its patron saint, St. Tomas of Villanueva. he is also the patron saint of the St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida.
this church is quite unique because the church was built by Spanish friars along with the influence of some of the natives of Miagao. it was damaged many times yet renovated to be in its strongest form, now believed to be the town's fortress.
one thing that makes it look very strong and solid are its walls, which are about a meter and a half thick with a number of strong tilted supports on its sides.
one should also see the church's blessed sacrament. it is located on the right edge of the church in a prayer room. the blessed sacrament is encased in a shape formed from the church's unique belfry. it looks like a miniature belfry.
i was quite unlucky though, as i waited for about an hour for the church to open, yet i don't have enough time as i need to go back to Iloilo to prepare for our next trip. this gives me a reason to visit this church again, which i'll definitely do.
this ends my Iloilo series and thank you very much for always keeping in touch.
looking at a solid structure occupying the town's central park was remarkably stunning. i've never seen a church in such a very solid form. this is the church of Miagao, one of the four Baroque churches in the Philippines declared to be a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Miagao is about 40kilometers from Iloilo city and just about 10minutes away from Guimbal church. this is my last stop of the three churches that i've picked to visit. i made sure that this will be my end point.
Miagao church or also known as the church of Sto Tomas de Villanueva, was first constructed in the late 18th century by the Spanish friars. like the town of Guimbal, this town was attacked by pirates many times. several churches, within the town before this, were burned making the friars and the town people build a stronger and solid structure.
the unique facade art of the church represents the town's livelihood which was farming. the facade art shows St. Christopher carrying the child Jesus on his back. the papaya trees and other ornamental icons creates a native look.
the church's facade also has the icon of the pope and that of its patron saint, St. Tomas of Villanueva. he is also the patron saint of the St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida.
this church is quite unique because the church was built by Spanish friars along with the influence of some of the natives of Miagao. it was damaged many times yet renovated to be in its strongest form, now believed to be the town's fortress.
one thing that makes it look very strong and solid are its walls, which are about a meter and a half thick with a number of strong tilted supports on its sides.
one should also see the church's blessed sacrament. it is located on the right edge of the church in a prayer room. the blessed sacrament is encased in a shape formed from the church's unique belfry. it looks like a miniature belfry.
i was quite unlucky though, as i waited for about an hour for the church to open, yet i don't have enough time as i need to go back to Iloilo to prepare for our next trip. this gives me a reason to visit this church again, which i'll definitely do.
this ends my Iloilo series and thank you very much for always keeping in touch.
57 comments:
This is the most famous church in Iloilo, truly a unique architectural wonder despite experiencing an earthquake and countless storms
Wow, the details on the facade is amazing! And I love how time and the elements have added to its drama. Thanks for sharing :)
parang sculptured wood lang ung design ng church.. great capture!
hi! I like the european style mix with the native style. it makes a unique architecture. It´s very different from what we have here in Europe.
great photos! i was particularly amazed by the trivia on the location of the blessed sacrament
Sabi ko na nga ba hindi ka nakapasok kaya idinan mo na lang sa pagkuha ng kanyang labas na kaanyuan. a different style of taking pictures here. Marami pang naghihintay sa iyong pagbalik Dong Ho.
Thanks for coming in Iloilo best host.
*araming naghihintay na simbahan pala sa iyong pagbalik dito.
>kegler, you're right about that. this church is really worth visiting even for an hour or less travel. something the country itself can really be proud of.
>hi isabetlog, amazing indeed! i really hope that you'll be able to see it yourself because it's really beautiful.
>hi mimi, naturally beautiful! thanks.
>hi helena, im sure it's different. because the materials alone used for most of the churches here in the philippines are of limestones and coral stones.
>hi judayski, yes. i was in fact surprised to have seen a blessed sacrament box in the shape of the church's belfry.
>redlan, oo nga. dami ko pang dapat makitang simbahan kaya babalik talaga ako.
naghintay pa ako ng isang oras doon pero hindi talaga nagbukas. sayang pero babalikan ko talaga yung simbahang yon. iloilo best host, eh ikaw nga ang host namin. hahaha...
beautiful church and details... nice colors to, looks like very humid kind of place... or season.
hi thanks for visiting my blog..
i have added u in my blogroll..cheers
i will keep u in touch always
dom,
hay! ganda talaga dyan. pinakamagandang simbahan na nakita ko up to date.
these churches are so regal! there is so much beauty about them. gotta love old churches, ne. :D
I enjoy it! Very good!
The mosses would attest to the age of this structure! I wonder when was the last time they scrubbed off the tower :D
Great details there! Thanks to you I am able to see something I might not see soon.
That a fabulous place and architectural heritage, Dong Ho. Would love to see it for myself.
hmm... i knew it.>..! the church hoppoing in Iloilo is not complete without passing by this grande galore... lurv the pics doNG>.>!
That's an amazing church. It does look so solid and strong but also very beautiful.
Galing! The details of the facade are really unique — never seen anything quite like it. Nakakatuwa. My favorite shot's the second to the last one. Nahahalata ko sa sarili ko that I seem to have a thing for belfries — ngayon ko lang napansin dahil sa series mong ito.
Maraming salamat! You went to Iloilo to go church-hopping? Pagbalik mo sa Maynila, meron akong Heswitang ipapakilala sa iyo. He's into church history, art and even restoration. ;D
I love the many angles from which you took these pictures, friend. They are powerful!
Wow....what a beautiful Church !
Thanks for sharing. You did a good job in capturing its beauty!
Another nice sets of photos of the churches. It is amazing how the people from the past could built so lovely and beautiful buildings without the new technology of machines. Thanks for sharing.
the first photo looks like a still from some movie. gave me chills! amazing shot!
Very unique combinations of architecture to make it distinctly native to your country. Wow!
Another great church? Wow. Somehow I don't see similar churches in Europe. Perhaps they are of Spanish style? Is it?
An amazing landmark!
The architectural of the church is really great. Though it's not looking it's best right now. I'm sure it had it's share of glory once :)
hi dong, it makes me think, are you a travelling photographer? your camera must be the best in the world... :)
the facade of the church is really unique. hope you could take pics of its interior next time. ganda ng pics kuya dong!
It's a beautiful church. Thank you for sharing those beautiful angles. It helps me appreciate it even more.
BTW, I have an award for you.
sana ma preserve sla forever
i don't know whether the church is just simply beautiful or you're just an awesome photographer... maybe, both! hehe! :)
ganda! :)
Wow! The façade is absolutely gorgeous! I've never seen a catholic church with palmtrees used in architecture. Great shots!
miag-ao church is really gorgeous. other than serving the spiritual needs of the community, it also doubled as a fortress against muslim slave raiders.
>tr3nta, yes it was quite humid that time.
>rajesh, thanks! adding you on my blogroll too.
>erick, i agree. ito rin yung pinakamagandang simbahan na nabisita ko as of this day. ganda nga talaga.
>hi acey, really beautiful! you'll actually find other beautiful churches around the island of panay.
>philip, that's great! thanks.
>hi gizelle, not sure how often they get the structure cleaned and repaired.
you're welcome and thanks too for dropping by.
>eki, you won't need passport to visit the philippines. we're waiting for you.
>antoine, exactly! you really know what's best in iloilo.
>hi carver, true!
>hi hilda, hehehe... kakatuwa naman at dito mo pa napansin na nagugustuhan mo ang mga belfries.
nasa maynila na ako. delayed lang tong mga posts. i would love to meet that priests because i have a lot of questions to ask.
just email me i.dongho@gmail.com. thanks!
>hi sandy, thank you very much! im glad you like it.
>sidney, thank you very much. quite an inspiration to hear those words from you.
>hi alicesg, that's what i'll be researching about in the future! ill definitely share it here.
>aracir, hehehe... horror movies you mean?
>hi sandy, you're right about that. it made it unique to the other beautiful churches that you normally see here.
>hi eunice, yes. this church is a mixture of spanish and native design making it unique from the other churches.
>luke, yes it is.
>hi napaboaniya, yes it may not be that beautiful as it was first constructed but the moss and the cracks makes this church a symbol of strength and glory.
>hi grace, i love traveling but it's not my profession. i use a point shoot camera sony dsc-p150 i beleive you too can get the same shots.
>beero, oo nga. kaya talagang babalikan ko to.
>hi rachel, im really glad that the different angles help you recognize how beautiful it is.
so happy to receive that award!
>bryan, oo nga. pero ito siguradong hindi basta bastang mapapabayaan kasi UNESCO world heritage site na sya.
>hi vic, the church itself is very very beautiful. thanks vic!
>jm, not sure if this is the only one with such a facade. but im sure it's one of the most unique christian structure.
>estan, you're right. that's why i really like its structure. such a beautiful fortress.
what a fabulous series, very informative. i enjoyed it very much. there's plenty that i have seen for the very first time.
wow! You did go to miagao!
Visited Miag-ao too in Dec 07 and was just awed by its beauty and historical significance.
Thanks for sharing more facts about this architectural gem! Loved your pics too!
Very intense images of this magnificent church.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful places.
sana mapuntahan ko ito :) ang ganda nya!
wow dom. gustung gusto ko puntahan yan. lalo na ngayun sa pinakita mong mga photos dito. galing.
>photo cache, thanks a lot! hope you'll keep in touch for the next series.
>luis, yes. the beautiful town of miagao.
>hi pinky, that's great! im glad that you are also visiting some of the country's best sites. let's keep in touch. thanks for dropping by.
>pietro, thanks too for visiting.
>hi nina, oo. puntahan mo ito. ganda talaga. medyo iba kasi sa typical na church sa pilipinas dahil sa facade art nito.
>oman, oo bro. ganda talaga nito. by far the most beautiful churhc i've seen.
really looks very sturdy. We need sturdy churches because a lot of our churches were witness to very strong earthquakes. A lot of them destroyed and restored as a matter of fact. Nice church hunting DONG. Talagang di mo tinantanan mga churches nila dyan ha......
BTW. I used your name in my latest post ha./ Hope you don't mind.
I love all the pictures :) You got them in best angles and made it more artistic and beautiful :)
I need to do churches hopping when I go to PH again :) That's a promise :)
You won't be dissapointed if you go to Sumatera Island :) The nature is well preserved, not too touristy and best for taking pictures! You will love it :)
I will recommend you to go to North and West Sumatera!
salamat nga pala sa everyday visit sa aking blog. kakainggit ka seems like you travel everyday. hehe. sana makasama ako minsan. so that I could know more about u. ^^;
great architectural design..and wonderful sculpture.
another very good capture dong..speed on!
I always had interest in UNESCO World Heritage Site. I just got back from Penang, which is also an UNESCO heritage site. Will post on it in near future
hello dong! :)
naman! speechless na naman ako sa photos dito sa site mo. :)
Those are fantastic photos of a really historic structure.
Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comments.
joy
A Pinay In England
Your Love Coach
I, Woman
churches are always fun to visit
their structures always leave me in awe
galing!
ganda ng mga kuha... tuwing bibisita ako sa blog mo eh lagi na lang ako namamangha sa ganda ng pinas na nakikita ko... keep it up! =)
>salingpusa, maraming salamat sa pagsama sa amin ni lawstude doon sa post mo sa capones.
oo ganda kasi ng mga simbahan sa iloilo. hindi talaga pwedeng hindi makita since nandun na rin lang naman ako. bitin na nga kasi tatlo lang nabisita ko sa dami ng magagandang simbahan doon.
>rintjez, thanks a lot. as you can see the church itself is already picturesque at almost any angle.
visiting the philippines again will be great! we can be your tourist guide. hehehe...
ill definitely add sumatra in the soon-to-go places in southeast asia.
>jinjiruks, iniisa isa kasi ang pagpost kaya parang araw araw bumabyahe pero yung apat na last post ay nagyari lamang sa isang araw. salamat din sa pagbisita sa blog ko. sige hopefully ma invite ka namin sa mga byahe.
>hi nyl, we all owe it to the people who made these structures.
>borneo falcon, that's true. heritage sites declared by UNESCO are surely beautiful and valuable. looking forward to your post on that of penang.
>hi joshmarie, maraming salamat talaga sa laging pagbisita.
>hi joy, thanks a lot!
>raft3r, true. this is something the philippines can really be proud of.
>hi lalaine, ganda naman kasi talaga ng mga simbahang ito kaya kahit anong kuha ganda talaga. salamat laine.
talagang larger than life antique building... beautiful shots, dong.
wow...sobrang ganda ng simbahang ito..sana nexttime pagbalik mo ay makapasok ka na sa loob...kung maganda ung labas siguradong mas maganda yung loob..
ito kaya yung church na pinag shootingan ng pelikulang maruja?..yung kay rustom at carmina.
Hi Dong, do you have a travel company?
Seems you know many places to visit.
i just love this church. i've seen this church before it was renovated. while they've done a lot in their renovation, i still love its old facade.hey, i love your blog for featuring philippines' off the beaten tracks! wanna xlinks?
Hi, dong Ho. Excellent narrative of the Iloilo adventure. Excellent set of photos as well. I'd like to share with you my most recent Iloilo travel if it's okay. It's here and here.
wow dong, these are really, really nice photos of the church ;-) i love the native accents that they carved into the facade
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