THE HISTORICAL CHURCHES IN ILOILO

The Philippines is home to hundreds of centuries-old Spanish colonial churches. Built at the height of Spanish influence in the archipelago, these churches are a fusion of European and Asian architectural motifs. The Philippines' colonial churches still stand out from the country's modern cityscapes today.

I visited almost all the churches here in Panay particularly around Iloilo City and out-of-town areas. I once traveled to the first district of Iloilo to see the churches of Tigbauan, Tubungan, Guimbal, San Joaquin, and Miag-ao. I also visited the church of Sta Barbara, the Pavia Church, and the Janiuay church.

I regularly go to church and part of my Sunday is to hear mass at Molo church, San Jose Church, and Jaro cathedral.

Here are some churches in addition to the list of churches around Western Visayas:

The flower capital of Iloilo is the home of the church where the 3^rd oldest original Sto. Niño image is enshrined. There are only three original image of the child Jesus in the whole archipelago. The oldest is found in Cebu, which was discovered by Legaspi in 1565, in Tondo Church found in 1572 and the one in Arevalo.

In the 150 years of its existence as a parish, the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer in Leganes, Iloilo has locally fulfilled the same functions as shrines, even without canonical recognition. This Church has formed part of the “topography” of the faith and of the popular piety of the people of God, not only in the Island of Panay, but also in the nearby Island of Negros as well as the adjoining islands in the Visayas, who flock to the Church the whole year round to fulfil their promises or “panaad” and to invoke the heavenly intercession of their beloved St. Vincent Ferrer. Furthermore, many testimonies of heavenly favors and spiritual graces received abound among these devotees of the Saint.

On December 5, 1859, the cornerstone of Alimodian Roman Catholic church was laid and attended ny Spanish dignitaries from Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo with Fr. Florencio Martin as the parish priest.Five years later on December 22, 1864, it was formally opened fro worship.A month after the Japanese landed in Oton on April 16, 1942 the head of the civil government ordered it to be burned for fear that it will be used as storage and hiding place of the Japanese.At down of January 28, 1948 an earthquake called lady Kay-kay caused the collapse of a major portion of the church, the convent and two-thirds of the belfry.Whatever is left of its splendor is the shadow of the past.

This post is in connection of the FRIDAY SHOOUT OUT and a photo assignment of Rebecca. The theme is Places of Worship/formal & Informal.