Church of St. Augustine (Bantay, Ilocos Sur)

The town’s restored 18th century church was built from 1691 to 1692 by Fr. Cortes. This served as a refugee camp for evacuees during the Basi Revolt in 1807. The church was rebuilt and restored by Fr. E. Navarro (parish priest 1870-1875) and was continued by Fr. L. Villanueva in 1892. Fr. A. Versoza patched the roof with galvanized iron. The church underwent another repair in 1950 due to the damage it incur during the 2nd World War.

The church’s facade is flanked by massive rectangular twin towers that has features of Baroque, Neo-Gothic and Pseudo-Romanesque features. The neo-Gothic is visible in the recessed main entrance, having a pointed lancet like arch flanked by blind pointed arcading. On the other hand, the decorative volutes around the second level window suggests the baroque feature and finally, the central window shaft with balustrade is considered to be pseudo-Romanesque in feature.

The facade’s only decorated parts are broken curves along the top of the triangular pediment and the inverted traceries below the eaves. A separate three-storey hill top, square bell tower, which served as a look out for an approaching enemy. It offers a fine view of an old nearby cemetery and the rest of the area.

The church is the home of the oldest Marian image in the Ilocos, Our Lady of Charity. The image is said to be miraculous and venerated by the Ilocanos. The 50-inch tall image is made of wood, except for the ivory face and hands (the ivory parts were stolen in 1928). The image was crowned by Egidio Vagnozi, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines on January 13, 1956.

Photos Courtesy of Mr. Ivan Mainar, R.N.

St. Augustine Church (Paoay, Ilocos Region)

The town’s most impressive landmark is the Aztech-like church, situated near the banks of the Wawa River. This church was included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1994 and also declared as a National Treasure for its architecture. This fortress-like church is a premier example of Philippine Earthquake Baroque Architecture.  The construction lasted from 1699 – 1702 under the term of Fr. Antonio Estavillo and repairs were done in 1865 by Fr. Ruperto Rodriguez. A major restoration was supervised by Fr. Baldomero Real from 1889 -1898.  The official inauguration was on the 18^th of February 1896.

The only one in the country with a 24 2.5 meter (3 varas) thick massive stone buttresses that ballast the walls and two exterior stone staircases (near the main altar transept) on both sides that reached the roof of the church. Thick coral block walls (1.67-meter )  were faced with bricks and sealed with a particularly hard lime mortar with sugar cane juice.

Fourteen molave posts supports the main nave. Measuring 60 meters (72 varas) long, 15 meters (17 varas) wide and 5.10 meters (6 varas high). The transept is about 7 meters (8 varas) high.

A combination of gothic, Baroque and oriental’s Indian madjapahit designs adorn the church’s unique two-level triangular façade divided by horizontal string courses. Baroque features are seen in the elegant curving and flowing huge scrolled buttresses. On the other hand, the decorative pinnacles are of Gothic nature. Chinese and Javanese influence are also present with the gables and the crenellations and five niches respectively. The formerly molave-made arched main entrance door is now made of wrought iron. Plain with square pillars extending vertically to the pediment and capped pinnacles makes up the lower level. Rosettes, volutes, foliage, royal emblems, and coat of arms decorate the horizontal cornices that divide the huge pediment.

Twenty Seven oil paintings are hung in the interior walls supported by gold pointed wooden frames at least 1.25 meters wide. Thirteen paintings on the sacristy wall, represent the Passion of Christ while the four paintings of buen pincel represent the four evangelists. John the Baptist’s painting decorates the baptistery. The 3-storey main altar has almost life-size wooded statue and the secondary altars on each side are each fitted with golden retablos.  A large statue of Christ is found over the wooden rail of the choir loft. A majestically designed pulpit and a statue of the Holy family were imported from Spain in 1891. While the windows are still made of Capiz shells, the ceiling is covered with strangds of cana de boxo.

A separate three-storey  coral stone bell tower was primarily built with 3.5 meter high wooden posts and three bells and enlarged from 1759 to 1759 by Fr. Torres using chopped coral stones and molave braces glued together. In 1793 and 1818, the main entrance doors as well as five bells were installed by Fr. Jose Nieto correspondingly. The katipuneros used it as a watch tower during the Spanish war at the same time the local guerillas used it during the Japanese regime.

* photos compliments of Mr. Ivan Mainar, R.N.

St. Paul’s Cathedral (Vigan, Ilocos Region)

St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral was built by the Augustinian clergy around 1790 and like the St. William’s Cathedral, it has features a design intended to minimize earthquake damage that was referred to as “earthquake baroque”.  Furthermore, it also features the Neo-Gothic and pseudo Romanesque motifs. There are brass communion handrails copied from China, complete with Chinese characters scribbled by its makers.

In the south of the cathedral lies the eight-sided bell tower used as a safety measure of the church. It was said to be built separately so that in any event of an earthquake, it would not topple into the church. The design said to have a Chinese Feng Shui influences. Lies inside the church is a tombstone of the great Ilocano poet Leona Florentino.

It is also in this church where Vigan’s Beloved late Governor Floro Crisologo was gunned down while he knelt on a pew inside the Cathedral in 1970.

*PHOTOS: Courtesy of Mr. Ivan Mainar

St. William the Hermit Cathedral (Laoag City, Ilocos Region)

In 1580, the Augustinian Clergy founded the parish and made a  church out of wood and tactched nipa palm chapel. It was then turned into a magnificent mixture of an Italian Renaissance Design and Baroque-style that was said to build between 1650 and 1700.  It was seriously damaged during an earthquake in November 17, 1707, partially destroyed by fire in 1843. It was Fr. Vicente Barreiro who had completely restored it then.

Again, the church succumb to another damage in July 18, 1880 earthquake and it was Fr. Santiago Muniz and Engineer Antonio de la Camara who took charge of the repairs.

The church served as sanctuary for Pedro Almazan in 1661, the revolutionaries in 1896, American forces in 1899 and Aglipayans in 1901. The 1932 diocesan Marian Congress was held here as well. Further, the church suffered from another earthquake in September 7, 1983 which caused some statues from the altar and niches plummet into the floor.

This church made of brick and stone has a unique, newly-plastered, two-storey façade with a main arched entrance flanked by four pairs of over scaled, twin-engaged pilasters,  with the absence of pediments, adorned by a series of coupled urn-motifs finials and pseudo- Corinthian Capitals with its rosettes and acanthus leaves. Five sets of mini-columns with pseudo-Doric Capitals arise from the architrave and decorated the choir loft level. Columns in each storey follow their patterns ending abruptly without reaching the next level. Capiz windows with wrought iron grilles and two-exterior stone staircases, one of it was converted into a grotto. The chandeliers donated by the late President Ferdinand Marcos hang gloriously in its barrel-vaulted ceilings. Over the altar lies the Augustinian emblem of a transfixed heart and a tasseled hat. The image of their Patron Saint San Guillermo is placed in a deeply recessed niche.

*PHOTOS: COURTESY of Mr. Ivan Mainar

Ibaras Catholic Church (Igbaras, Iloilo)

Igbaras is considered to be a visita of Augustinian missionaries. It was in Tinogpahan, in the vicinity of Binanuaan that the first “Iglesita” or chapel was founded by Rev. Fr. Juan de Medina. The old church was said to be built in 1784, and a convent followed in 1795 under Fr. Ignacio Marcos. Big floods washed away the structures, but the ruins are still visible up to these dates.

A new church was constructed by Fr. Celestino Fernandez in 1872. It has a big convent and was finished under the term of Fr. Jose Lavania. However, both structures were destroyed by the infamous earthquake Lady Caycay in 1948.

San Diego Pro-Cathedral (Silay City)

This beautiful church, built n 1920 by Italian Architect Verasconi was elevated to pro-cathedral on December 1994, the second in the country to be declared so. Behind it are the ruins of the city’s original church, now a grotto. Silay is located 14.4 kilometers (a 20 to 30 minute drive) north of Bacolod City.

* Benjamin Locsin Layug, A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Churches

The Cathedral of San Sebastian (Bacolod City)

Fr. Mauridio Ferrero, O.A.R., the parish work of Bacolod (1871-1898; 1902-1910) was responsible for the striking structure of the Cathedra of San Sebastian. In 1825, the original church was constructed by Fr. Julian Gonzaga (parish priest 1818-1836). The ancient church was made of wood and galvanized roofing. It had one medium-sized bell until Fr. Roman Manuel Locsin donated a large bell and another priest, Fr. Mariano de Avila gave one when he became the parish priest in 1863 after the death of Fr. Locsin. The bell of Fr. De Avila was installed in the tower when the Cathedral was constructed in 1876, but lowered in 1969 when the towers were built. It was never returned there until 1976 when the Sugarlandia Lions Club of Bacolod constructed a special belfry where it hangs today with Fr. Ferrero’s small bell.

When Fr. Mauricio Ferrero took over in 1871, he initiated plans for the building of a bigger church made of coral stones. The plan was submitted to Bishop Mariano Cuartero of Jaro. It was on April 27, 1876 when the foundation stone was laid. Fr. Mauricio made an agreement with the politico-military governor, Roman Pastor for the use of the prisoners in the church construction. The governor agreed provided that Fr. Maurico also design and supervise the construction of a stone prison. The coral stones of the cathedral were cut from the deposits of Guimaras and brought by barge and lurches to Bacolod. The wooden parts were made from hardwood cut in Palawan.

On the eve of the feast of San Sebastian, January 19, 1882, Bishop Cuartero blessed the biggest church in the province. A pontifical mass was celebrated by the bishop the following day before a packed audience composed of government and church officials of the province and Iloilo. Parish priests and leading citizens of other towns joined the festivities.

The two towers that is present today were set up three years later. The right tower of the church was constructed first. Don Luis Ruiz de Luzurriaga, donated a huge clock that became the main keeper of the town. The left tower was constructed later. Both towers were made of aluminum sheet with hardwood framings. It was also in 1885 that the big organ was installed on a nave just above the church entrance. The organ was disassembled during the reconstruction of the church in 1969 and never returned.

In 1969, the two towers were demolished as a public hazard upon orders of the Bacolod City Engineer’s office. The rector of the cathedral, Fr. Antonio Santes raised funds to build the towers. A cathedral tower reconstruction committee engaged in fund raising activities.

The San Sebastian Cathedral was declared the cathedral church in 1933 when Bacolod became a diocese. In 1956, the second bishop of Bacolod, Bishop Manuel Yap, increased the prestige of the church when the consecrated it in solemn ceremonies after it was reconstructed. The main altar was simplified and a life-size statue of San Sebastian was enshrined. In the bosom of the Cathedral are the remains of Bishop Casimiro Lladoc, the first bishop of Bacolod and Bishop Manuel Yap, the second Bishop, as well as the remains of generous benefactors of the past decades.

The parish rectory, now the Bishop’s house was also constructed by Fr. Ferrero. The construction started on May 21, 1891 and was finished in 1894. The materials were taken from Palawan, while the coral stones were from Guimaras. Some of the bricks were locally made, masonry was mostly by Chinese artisans.

Parish of Sta. Monica (Hamtic, Antique)

The Augustinian friars founded the church of Hamtic in 1581. The parish church was buikt and chose Sta. Monica as their patron saint. It became a visita of Ibahay, Aklan. The Augustinian friars left it in 1596.

It became a parish once more in the early 1700s. Later on it became a vista once again, this time to Bugasong, Antique and became the headquarters for evangelization.

Hamtic became the first parish in Antique in 1581, the patron saint was San Guillermo. The old church was believed to be built at Maybato North and was used as fortress. It is said to be found near the Malandog tidal river which is ideal and a very much used harbor.

In the 17th century, pirates invaded Hamtic with destructive consequences. The old church was destroyed but the ruins remained.

In 1644 until 1690, the parish was under Guimbal until Fr. Hipolito Casiano, OSA refounded and constructed a new church at what is now Hamtic town with Sta. Monica as its patron saint.

what is believed to be the ruins of the old church of Hamtic inside the cemetery

San Jose Parish (San Jose, Antique)

Long before, San Jose belonged to the parish of Hamtic. Due to frequent Moro raids, the old church was rammed down by raiders and the Augustinian priests were forced to abandon the place and look for another site to relocate. The parishioners decided to move to a higher place away from the sea.

They have finally found a very suitable place, it was high, far from the sea and has an exquisite view of the mountains. The parishioners as well as some priests chose to settle and erected a village which they referred to as “Buenavista” which means beautiful site.

A story is passed from one generation to the next how St. Joseph the Worker became the patron saint of the parish. Long ago, there was a very strong typhoon to hit Buenavista Village, which caused sea turbulence. Soon, a tidal wave was formed that was to devour the whole village. It made the people terrified until they saw a man in the midst of the storm, he face the shore with the roaring huge wave. He raised his hand, holding a staff as though commanding the sea to settle down.  And it did! The angry wave slowly settled down. When the storm was finally over, the villagers tried to look for the man, but he was nowhere to be found. The people who have witnessed the event swore the resemblance of St. Joseph the Worker in many ways. They believed it was a miracle and so the Augustinians consecrated the village as San Jose de Buenavista named after St. Joseph whim the people made their patron saint.

In 1793, San Jose became an independent Parish with Fr. Manuel  Ibañez, OSA as parish priest. In 1802, San Jose became the capital town of Antique.

Parish of San Augustine (Patnongon, Antique)

ruins of the old church which was converted to school

Patnongon, was named as San Simon in 1762 and was made a town in 1762. The church was founded by Augustinian Friars but they left the town in 1777 and it became a visita of Sibalom, it remained a visita until the 2nd quarter of the 19th century.

The church was made through force labor and was finished in 1879. It is considered to be the best church in Antique until was destroyed in during the World War II when it was made a fortress by the Japanese forces. It was partially renovated by the Mill Hill Missionaries to make way for the school

St. Augustine was considered as the patron saint because legend has it that he used to frightened the pirates away. A beared man in flowing robes holding a staff and walking along the beaches to drive all the pirates off the shore.

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