Parish of Santo Nicholas de Tolentino (Guimbal, Iloilo)
July 2, 2009 by
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Churches, Southern Iloilo
The home of the famous ‘Bantayan’ and the longest bridge in the whole Panay Island, the Virginia Bridge, Guimbal is located 28 kilometers from the City of Iloilo. They say that when one is passing in this bridge, the person is going to hold his breath from point to point and then make a wish.
The Bantayan Towers are built by natives as defense and at the same time as guard houses against the invading Moor pirates that often attacks the town. There are three preserved Bantayan towers: (1) Bantayan Beach Resort (2) Cristobal (3) Near the Hospital.
St. Guillermo and St. Joseph welcomes parishioners and visitors in this yellow-colored church found in the municipality of Guimbal. This is the only church made of yellow coral. Built in 1590, the church is made from coral and igang (red-colored) stone found in the beaches of the town. The interior of the church is long and narrow, composed of just two rows of pews.
The paired columns rises on heavily massed pedestals with decorative design borders the main doorway. Another set of columns are found on the second level. A semi-circular arch decorated by rows of rosettes graced the main entrance.
It is said to be an inverted church with its original front now its back and vice versa. The former front was facing the dea and its back facing the plaza. The change was instituted to adjust the plaza.
Their patron saint is St. Nicholas of Tolentino and the feast is celebrated on the 10th of September each year, apart from the traditional Bantayan Festival that falls before or after the Holy Week.
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