Miagao Church, Iloilo Province

Miagao Church (sometimes spelled as Miag-ao) in Iloilo Province is the most recognizable church in that province. In fact, it is always featured in every tourism flyer being given away from the tourism office. At first, I thought it was huge, like a cathedral. When I finally visited the place last October 22, 2013 I was surprised that it’s smaller than I thought it would be. Nevertheless, it’s very beautiful.

Miagao Church in Miagao, Iloilo is famous for its façade that portrays St. Christopher (San Cristobal in the vernacular). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited churches in the province. The façade of the church has bas relief of coconuts, papaya and local flora. Just below St. Christopher, you’ll find the statue of St. Thomas de Villanueva. You’ll also find the Seal of the Church and State on the façade, with a statue of a pope and a king. This church has two uneven bell towers.

The main altar of the Miagao Church has the Sto. Nino on top, the Crucified Christ on the center, with St. Joseph and St. Thomas de Villanueva on the sides. It’s painted to give the notion that it’s covered in gold. The sides of the church has French windows and the outside wall is reinforced by buttresses.

The UNESCO marker on the lawn of the church reads:

Pandaigdigang Pamanang Pook

Simbahan ng Santo Tomas de Villanueva

Miagao, Iloilo

Isa sa apat na simbahang Baroque sa Pilipinas na itinala noong 1993 sa talaan ng Pandaigdigang Pamana alinsunod sa 1972 UNESCO Kumbensyon ukol sa Pangangalaga ng Pandaigdigang Pamanang Pangkultura at Pangkalikasan.

Taglay ng Simbahan ng Santo Tomas de Villanueva ang pambihirang kahalagahang unibersal na nararapat na pangalagaan para sa kapakinabangan ng buong sangkatauhan.

The rough translation of the marker is:

World Heritage Site

Church of St. Thomas de Villanueva

Miagao, Iloilo

One of the four Baroque Churches in the Philippines that was listed in 1993 on the World Heritage Site following the 1972 Convention on the Conservation of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites.

The Church of St. Thomas de Villanueva possesses the unique, universal qualities that should be preserved for the benefit of humanity.

Another marker on the façade of the church reads:

Miagao Church

Construction of this Church began in 1787 while Fray Francisco M. Gonzales O.S.A. was Parish Priest of this town and Domingo Libo-on was Gobernadorcillo. The church was completed in 1797. It served as fortress against Muslim raiders. In 1898, during the Revolution, the Church was destroyed. Subsequently rebuilt, it was damaged by fire in 1910. It was badly damaged by earthquake in 1948. Restoration work began in 1960 and completed in 1962. During the term of office of Most Rev. Dr. Jose Ma. Cuenco, D.D. Metropolitan Archbishop of Jaro, of Msgr. Fernando S. Javillo, D.P., Parish Priest of this town and Dioscoro Mueda, Municipal Mayor.

The main façade of the Miagao Church taken at different angels. Noticed that the color of the yellow limestone changes?

The markers of the Miagao Church.

The main entrance of the Miagao Church. I wonder whose statues are flanking the entrance.

Detail of the main door of the Miagao Church.

Even the side windows are well decorated.

The main altar of the Miagao Church.

The interior of the Miagao Church, formally known as the Church of St. Thomas de Villanueva in Iloilo Province.

The baptistery of the church.

The buttresses that fortifies the church against earthquakes.

One of the bell towers taken from the rear.

Technorati Tags: Miag-ao Church,Miagao Church,Iloilo Province,UNESCO World Heritage Site

San Joaquin Church, Iloilo Province

San Joaquin Church is about 2 hours by jeep south from Iloilo City. It was the furthest we got during our stay in Iloilo a month ago. Unfortunately, the façade of the San Joaquin Church was being restored when we visited the place. Fortunately, we were still able to see the interior of the church.

The San Joaquin Church has a very interesting belfry with a staircase located outside. The side of the church also has buttresses which makes it earthquake resistant. The columns used on the side elevation are Corinthians. The façade of the church has a statue of San Joaquin (father of the Virgin Mary), the Sto. Nino (which is typical of Iloilo Churches) and San Pedro Regalado (St. Peter de Regalado).

The ceiling and interior of the church is very simple. San Joaquin Church in Iloilo has a very unique baptistery. San Joaquin is the one on the main altar and they also have statues of Our Lady of Fatima and the Sto. Nino (the Child Jesus) in the side altar.

The marker of the church reads (in Filipino):

“Makasaysayang Simbahan ng San Joaquin

Sa bias ng pagpapatibay ng Pambansang Suriang Pangkasaysayan noong Setyembre 22, 1977 na binigyan ng karapatan ng Kautusan ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas Bilang 260 Agosto 1, 1973 na sinusugan ng Kautusan ng Pangulo Bilang 375 Enero 14, 1974, ang simbahang ito ay ipinahayag na Pambansang Palatandaang Makasaysayan.”

For my foreign friends and readers, it is roughly translated as:

“Historical Church of San Joaquin

By virtue of a proclamation by the National Historical Institute dated September 22, 1977 as promulgated by the Presidential Decree 260 dated August 1, 1973 as amended by Presidential Decree 375 dated January 14, 1974, this church is declared a National Heritage Site.”

Another marker reads:

San Joaquin Church

Year Built: 1859 by Fr. Tomas Santaren

Year Completed: 1869

Materials: Coral stones and limestone

Façade: Depicts the celebrated victory of Spanish Cavalry against the Moors in the Battle of Tetuan.

(Marker) Donated by: Alpha Phi Omega International (Phils.) Inc. and Scouts Royale Brotherhood ®

A tarpaulin gives further information about the on-going restoration:

Restoration of San Joaquin Church Façade

(NCCA Board Resolution No. 2012-117)

Project Site: San Joaquin Parish Church, San Joaquin, Iloilo

Amount of Grant: PHP1,050,000.00

Scope of Work:

1. Project Documentation (Before, during and after restoration)
2. Mechanical and chemical cleaning of façade
3. Façade consolidation and treatment
4. Removal and replacement of plants along the façade with gravel fills
5. Restoration of the main door includes application of wood preservatives
6. Cleaning and clearing of site
7. Restoration consultancy and supervision

Project duration: 182 calendar days

Funding Agency: National Commission for Culture and the Arts

Implementing Agency: Municipal Government of San Joaquin, Iloilo

Assigned Cultural Agency: National Historical Commission of the Philippines

Beneficiary: Archdiocese of Jaro

The buttresses of the church gives it stability during earthquakes.

Details of the Corinthian Order columns of the church.

The side entrance of the church.

The Belfry of the San Joaquin Church is impressive.

The way the blocks are built on the façade of the church is impressive.

The interior of the church.

The baptistery of the San Joaquin Church in Iloilo City.

The ceiling of the church is quite simple. It’s almost like a tongue and groove.

The interior of San Joaquin Church in Iloilo Province taken from the main altar.

It’s common for churches in Iloilo Province to have the statue of the Sto. Nino (Child Jesus).

I highly suggest that they improve the stained glass on the sides of the altar.

The main altar of San Joaquin Church in Iloilo and the statues of Our Lady of Fatima and San Joaquin.

The façade of San Joaquin Church is under renovation. Hopefully, it will be over before the Dinagyang Festival 2014.

Details of the Belfry of San Joaquin Church in Iloilo Province.

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