Our slow progress along the MacArthur Highway was finally halted at Guiguinto where the bridge to Malolos was being repaired. Parking my car at the municipal hall, we walked over to the nearby Church of St. Ildelfonsus. This stone church and its convent, located near a saltwater stream, was built sometime in the late 17th century (1621 to 1691?), finished by 1734 (?) and was severely damaged during the June 3, 1863 earthquake where the upper part of its belfry fell off.
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| Guiguinto Municipal Hall |
The church has Baroque and Muslim features with 4 sets of paired, superpositioned Doric columns, a large, semicircular main entrance in the center and Muslim-inspired geometric motifs on one of the side entrances. The triangular pediment has a circular window almost at the base and a raking cornice decorated with volute crestings.
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| Church of St. Ildelfonsus |
Its 4-level, octagonal bell tower, on the church’s left, has a blind surface that ends up in a balustraded pinnacle. Of its existing bells, one dates to 1889 and was cast by Hilario Sunico and installed by Fr. Pedro Quiros. A smaller one was installed in 1887.
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| The church’s interior |
Back at the municipal hall, it was now time to make our way to Malolos City via the alternative use of a confusing maze of narrow alleys and byroads. Luckily, there were assigned personnel to safely guide us along the way.
Upon arrival in Malolos City, Jandy and I checked in at the very popular DJ Paradise Resort & Hotel. This wasn’t the first I’ve been in this 5.7-hectare, Class AAA resort, having been here during Jandy’s school excursions, but this would be our first time to stay overnight.
Check out “Resort Review: DJ Paradise Resort“
DJ Paradise Resort: MacArthur Highway, Brgy. Dakila, Malolos City, Bulacan. Tel: (044) 791-5129 (connecting all departments), 662-4135 & 791-5384. E-mail: info@djparadise.com.ph. Website: www.djparadise.com.ph.