Category Archives: PLACES OF INTEREST

Bugtong Bato Falls (Tibiao, Antique)

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After our orientation at Zipline Inn, we again boarded our van for the drive to the barangay hall of Brgy. Tuno where we secured the services of local guides Arnel Vicente and Marialyn Benito for our trek to the 7-tiered Bugtong Bato Falls, so called because it is perched in the midst of a lone rock.  The first three waterfalls, with heights up to 150 ft., are easily accessible.

The trek begins ....

The trek begins ….

Zipline Inn owner Ms. Ofelia Gaal also joined us on this hike to her property.  According to her, it just takes her 25 mins. to get to the falls  but I figured it would take me much longer with my mobility issues due to osteoarthritis.  We just brought along our essential gear – cameras, water, hats, etc.

Passing rice terraces on the way to the falls

Passing rice terraces on the way to the falls

Another bucolic scene

Another bucolic scene

The hike, through a craggy mountain trail, took us past streams, lush forests, beautiful rice terraces and over two bamboo suspension bridges.

Crossing a bamboo footbridge

Crossing a bamboo footbridge

Hiking through this incredible countryside was worthwhile and a treat by itself, even without the falls at the end of the trail.  Along the way we also encountered some grazing cows as well as a number of fallen trees,  visual evidence of the destruction wrought by Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) on the town.

The first waterfall and its swimming hole

The first waterfall and its swimming hole

Surprisingly, in under 40 mins., we arrived at the beautiful falls and our prize for completing the hike – its inviting swimming hole.  It is thus with great anticipation that we dipped our tired bodies in its cool, refreshing water.  In my excitement though, I forgot to remove my belt bag with my cellular phone in it.  A total loss.  Oh well.

Steps with rope leading to the second tier

Steps with rope leading to the second tier

After a while, we decided to try out the second waterfall.  Getting there entailed a short but steeper climb up a staircase with a stout nylon rope to assist us, much too challenging for Maricar who decided to stay behind.  Once up there, it offered another cool, inviting swimming hole for us to swim in.

The second tier of the falls

Father and son at the second tier of the falls

The third fall, visible from here, was a different story as it was accessible only by swimming across this second swimming hole and then climbing another nylon rope up the slippery side of the waterfall.  Tricky to say the least. Still, I admit to being envious seeing the others do it.  If only I were 20 years younger.

Steps and rope from second to third tier of falls

Steps and rope from second to third tier of falls

Only Clelia and Rupert, as well other visiting foreign tourists, attempted this.  The third falls offers the smallest but the most beautiful of the three swimming holes, said to have deep blue waters.

Katahum Tours: Tibiao, Antique.  Mobile numbers: (0919) 813-9893 and (0917) 631-5777. E-mail: flord@tibiaofishspa.com. Website: www.katahum.com.

How To Get There: Tibiao is located 73 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista, 12.6 kms. from Barbaza, 17 kms. from Culasi and 89 kms. from Brgy. Caticlan (Malay, Aklan).

Orientation at Zipline Inn (Tibiao, Antique)

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From UA Hometel, we were again driven to Tibiao Fish Spa where we had breakfast.  After this, we again boarded our van to the poblacion where we paid a courtesy call on Mayor Gil B. Bandoja at the municipal hall.  Day 3 was to be the start of our Tibiao Eco-Adventure Tour and, right after our courtesy call, we proceeded to Zipline Inn  where we will have our orientation over cups of coffee.  Here, we were warmly welcomed by owners Leslie and Ofelia Gaal.

Check out “Hotel and Inn Feature: Zipline Inn“

Zipline Inn

Zipline Inn

The now-retired Leslie, a Canadian citizen of Hungarian ancestry, was a former serviceman and marathon runner.   His wife Ofelia (nee Cumla), a native of Tibiao and a cousin of Flord and Leah, convinced Leslie to retire here and build an inn on their 1,800 sq. m. lot.

From the road, steps lead down to the inn

From the road, steps lead down to the inn

Both philanthropists, they also financed the hanging bridge over the Tibiao River that connects Sitio Malakagat with the rest of the town.  Before the hanging bridge was built, flooding along the river, during the rainy season, prevented the townspeople from selling their produce or children from going to school. The couple also own the 4.7-hectare property that includes Bugtong Bato Falls, Peter’s Lodge and Bugtong Bato Falls Inn.

Ofelia and Leslie Gaal

Ofelia and Leslie Gaal

Zipline Inn is named as such because of the adjacent zipline facility of Tibiao Eco-Adventure Park. The inn is also the gateway to Tibiao’s many eco-adventure activities – hiking to the aforementioned Bugtong Bato Falls; kayaking at the Tibiao River; zipling and wall climbing at Tibiao Eco-Adventure Park; and popular kawa hot bath at Kayak Inn as well as in Bugtong Bato Falls Inn.

Zipline Inn: Brgy. Tuno, Tibiao, Antique.  Mobile numbers: (0920) 499-6903 and (0919) 579-5436.

How To Get There: Tibiao is located 73 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista, 12.6 kms. from Barbaza, 17 kms. from Culasi and 89 kms. from Brgy. Caticlan (Malay, Aklan).

Lunch at Ever Land Inn (Tibiao, Antique)

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After our ziplining at Tibiao Eco-Adventure (TEA) Park, Jandy and I joined the five UP Visayas students as we made our way, downhill, to Ever Land Inn where my media colleagues and the other students were already having their lunch of spaghetti and fresh buco.

Dining, al fresco, on low tables

Dining, al fresco, on low tables

This mountain inn, one of four located within the area (the others are Bugtong Bato Inn, Kayak Inn and Zipline Inn), was started by Korean investor Charlie Jung whose brother is married to a Filipina.

Large pavilion

Large pavilion

At the bamboo dining pavilion, set under the outstretched arms of a huge tree, we all dined on low tables and sat, cross-legged, on the sawali floor.  Al fresco dining was great here as we all had a great view of the swirling Tibiao River below us.

Picnic sheds

Picnic sheds

Though still under development, the area already had a big pavilion , and a number of picnic sheds, all situated along the river bank and made with indigenous materials such as bamboo and sawali plus a tarpaulin roof. All huts are interconnected to each other by neat, gravel topped pathways.

Gravel pathways

Gravel pathways

Aside from being a great picnic area, guests can also have a cool dip or kayak at the river and then have a massage later.  The area is also near the previously mentioned Tibiao Eco-Adventure Park, where you can go ziplining, and Kayak Inn, where you can try out the kawa hot bath.

Charlie Jung (center) with students and members of media

Charlie Jung (center) with UP students and members of media

Ever Land Inn: Brgy. Tuno, Tibiao, Antique.  Mobile number: (0939) 574-4642.  E-mail: tibiaoantiqu@naver.com.

How To Get There: Tibiao is located 73 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista, 12.6 kms. from Barbaza, 17 kms. from Culasi and 89 kms. from Brgy. Caticlan (Malay, Aklan).

Tibiao Fish Spa (Antique)

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One of the highlights of our Antique Heritage and Media Familiarization Tour was our visit to the unique and much talked about Tibiao Fish Spa, opened in June 2009 by Flord Nicson Calawag, a 2008 Marine Fisheries graduate of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV), Miag-ao, Iloilo (he placed 8th in the 2008 Fisheries Technologist licensure exam). One of a few of its kind in the country, it is considered as the most affordable fish spa in the world.  A form of ichthyotherapy (from the Greek word ichthy meaning “fish”), this fish spa has to be seen and experienced by young and old alike.

Tibiao Fish Spa

Tibiao Fish Spa

This fish spa, formerly located at Flord’s residence, was transferred to an 800 sq. m. lot about 1.5 kms. away from his residence after the November 9, 2013 Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) hit Tibiao, severely damaging his residence as well as the rest of the town.  We arrived a day before its formal reopening at its new location.  Before we indulged at this one-of-a-king experience, we had to wash your feet well before dipping it in the pool.

Jandy and I enjoying this one-of-a-kind experience

Jandy and I enjoying this one-of-a-kind experience

While most Asian fish spas use imported “doctor fish“ (Garra rufa) from Turkey, which are costly to acquire and difficult to maintain, Tibiao Fish Spa uses and indigenous and locally-bred fish species called Therafish from Antique.  The unique feature of the fish is its sand-paper texture teeth. In this way, it can effectively exfoliate our dead skin. Aside from fish therapy, they also offer reflexology and massage.There have been studies wherein interactions with animals have been found to have therapeutic benefits on children with autism and the calming effects of fish nibbling on Jandy’s toes in the Tibiao Fish Spa seem to justify that study (just look at his happy face above to find out).

TerraFish feasting on my dead skin

TerraFish feasting on my dead skin

The fish spa offers three different tanks that houses levels 1, 2 and 3 therapy fishes.  As the stage goes higher, the fishes get bigger.  Stage 1 does micro-massage, Stage 2 removes the dead skin cells while Stage 3 does the heavy-duty work of removing the soft calluses and thicker patches of skin.

Stage 1 Tank

Stage 1 Tank: micro-massage

The water, which is slightly chlorinated, is changed once to three times daily, plus a recirculating system continuously subjects the water to sediment and activated carbon filters as well as UV sterilization.

Stage 2 Tank

Stage 2 Tank: removing dead skin cells

At first, I was quite scared and uncomfortable having my feet pecked, nibbled or tickled by hundreds of these little fish.  But, after a few minutes, I soon found it to my liking and got the hang of it, learning to just relax, lie down on a pillow and have a nice nap while listening to music and letting the little sea creatures do their work “eating up” the dead skin cells, calluses and cuticles of my feet. At the same time, they stimulate pressure points to relax the body and release stress. Truly, an exciting, exfoliating and soothing sensation that’s worth a try as it is safe and totally pain-free.

Stage 3 Tank

Stage 3 Tank: removing soft calluses and thicker patches of skin

Other branches are found in SM City Iloilo (opened October 20, 2010) and SM City in Pampanga. A branch will open soon in General Santos City (South Cotabato).

Tibiao Fish Spa: Purok 12, Brgy. Malabor, Tibiao, Antique. Cost: PhP100 for 30 minutes. Students are charged a discounted rate.  Mobile numbers: (0919) 813-9893 and (0917) 631-5777. E-mail: flord@tibiaofishspa.com.  Website: www.tibiaofishspa.com.

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Tibiao Fish Spa: Lower Ground Floor, SM City Iloilo (beside Baron Barber Shop and in front of Iloilo Bingo), Benigno Aquino Drive, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Iloilo. Tel: (033) 302 9897.

Rates: Classic Fish Spa (30 mins. PhP120), VIP Fish Spa (45 mins., PhP250), Full body massage (1 hr., PhP350), Half body massage (40 mins., PhP250) and Foot reflexology (20 mins., PhP100).

Tibiao Fish Spa: 2/F, Cinema and Food Court Area (beside David’s Salon and in front of Chowking), SM City Pampanga, NLEX cor. Jose Abad Santos Ave., San Fernando City, Pampanga.  Tel: (045) 437-2574.

How To Get There: Tibiao is located 73 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista, 12.6 kms. from Barbaza, 17 kms. from Culasi and 89 kms. from Brgy. Caticlan (Malay, Aklan).

The Spanish-Era Structures of Patnongon (Antique)

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From the Gen. Leandro Fullon National Shrine in Hamtic Poblacion, we moved on, 32 kms. away, past the capital town of San Jose de Buenavista and Belison, to the town of Patnongon.  Along the National Highway are the ruins of the parish of St. Augustine, once considered the best church in the province.

St. Augustine Academy of Patnongon

St. Augustine Academy of Patnongon

The main entrance

The main entrance

Started in 1860 by Fr. Manuel Asensio, it was finished in 1895 by Fr. Eustaquio Heria. In 1896, Fr. Joaquin Fernandez renovated the church by adding a patio.

NHI Plaque

NHI Plaque

Statue niche

Statue niche

The old bell tower

The old bell tower

Damaged during the Philippine Revolution, it was repaired from 1896 to 1899 and, in 1906, it was transferred to the Mill Hill Fathers of England.  Destroyed during World War II, it was converted to the St. Augustine Academy of Patnongon in 1962.

Ruins of Spanish-era municipal hall

Ruins of Spanish-era municipal hall

Nearby are the ruins of the town’s former 2 storey, Spanish-era municipal building.  This 15 m. by 21 m., roofless structure is now fenced off, its gray walls slowly deteriorating due to the elements, local government neglect and indifference, and the strangling presence of a balete tree.

A balete tree slowly strangling the walls

A balete tree slowly strangling the walls

An interior wall and arch

An interior wall and arch

I was saddened by the sight of this graphic memorial to our Spanish past being left to rot.  In my opinion, it could still be restored and put to good use, either as a museum or a government office.  All it takes is political will aside from local government or private sector funding.

How To Get There: Patnongon is located 25 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista, 9.5 kms. from Belison, 17.3 from Bugasong and 122 kms. from Iloilo City (Iloilo).

Gen. Leandro Fullon National Shrine (Hamtic, Antique)

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From Tobias Fornier, we were driven, together with the other students, 22 kms. to the next town of Hamtic where we made a 15-min. stopover at Gen. Leandro Fullon National Shrine in front of the municipal hall and near the Church of St. Monica. Gen. Fullon, born in this coastal town on March 13, 1877, was a young student at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila, when the Philippine Revolution broke out in 1896.

The equestrian statue of Gen. Leandro Fullon

The equestrian statue of Gen. Leandro Fullon

He was made the commanding officer of the Visayan revolutionary forces by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and was sent, on September 6, 1898, with 140 officers and 350 men, to liberate Panay Island.  On November 22, Fullon’s forces captured San Jose de Buenavista where he set up a revolutionary provincial government.

Narration of the life and times of Gen. Fullon

Narration of the life and times of Gen. Fullon

During the Philippine-American War, he also fought the Americans, together with Gen. Martin Delgado, but was forced to surrender, together with his officers, on March 22, 1901.  When the Province of Antique was created by virtue of Act No. 114, Fullon was appointed, on April 15, 1901, as the province’s civil governor and served until his death on October 16, 1904.

Burial plaque

Burial plaque

His life-size statue, designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, was unveiled on March 13, 2004 by the National Historical Commission during the occasion of his 137th birth anniversary.  On October 16, Fullon’s 100th death anniversary, his remains were transferred, from La Paz Cemetery in Hamtic, to the base of the monument.

Hamtic Municipal Hall

Hamtic Municipal Hall

Church of St. Monica

Church of St. Monica

My visit to the general’s shrine was made more memorable by the fact that he was a distant relative, our common ancestor, both on our mother’s side, being Wo Sing Lok (or Sin Lok) from Amoy (old name for Xiamen, an island located in the southern part of Fujian Province at the mouth of Jiulong “nine dragon” River in China) who arrived in the Philippines and permanently settled at “Parian,” (now Molo) in Iloilo City. In 1780, Sing Lok was christened as Agustin Locsin when he married Cecilia Sayson, a mestiza daughter of an Ilongga and a sangley (local Chinaman), who were both devout Catholics. The Locsin clan began from this union.

How To Get There: Hamtic is located 7 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista.

Church of St. John Nepomucene (Anini’y, Antique)

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From Siraan Hot Spring and Health Resort, we were driven just 1.5 kms. to the town’s poblacion where we made a 15-min. stopover at the town’s Church of St. John  Nepomucene , the only preserved Spanish-era church in the province. The national saint of the Czech Republic, St. John Nepomucene (locally called San Juan Nepomuceno, feast day on May 6), is the first martyr of the seal of confession, the patron saint against calumnies (a.k.a. slander) and a protector against floods.

Church of St. John Nepomucene

Church of St. John Nepomucene

First built around 1845, it was replaced with masonry by Augustinian Fr. Jeronimo Vaquerin in 1878, roofed in 1894 and almost completed in 1898 (except for the large arch near the main altar).  The church was seized by the Aglipayans in 1902 and occupied for 6 years until it was turned over to the Mill Hill Fathers from England.

The Baroque facade

The Baroque facade

The church, damaged during World War II, miraculously survived the January 25, 1948 Lady Caycay earthquake which measured 8.2 on the Richter scale, the second biggest on the country’s earthquake catalog.  The earthquake totally destroyed the old churches of Igbaras, Maasin, Oton and San Miguel, all in Iloilo, It was called caycay due to the numerous fissures that seem like scratches made by chickens on the ground.

Augustinian emblem on facade

Augustinian emblem on facade

However, the church’s roof and back wall were toppled during the powerful 1973 typhoon but it was restored by Mill Hill Fr. William Erinkweld who installed a solid concrete beam to bolt down the heavy steel roofing.  He also covered the steel trusses with G.I. sheet.

The small statue of St. John Nepomucene on the pediment

The small statue of St. John Nepomucene on the pediment

This beautiful and massive, white coral church is 65 m. long, 16 m. wide, 10 m. high and has one main nave and transept.  Its impressive Baroque façade, done in the 19th century Revivalist style, consists of a lower level divided into 3 equal sections by 2 central engaged pilasters (with floral designs and acanthus leaves on the capitals).

Plaque installed by National Historical Commission

Plaque installed by National Historical Commission

The arched main entrance, with the Augustinian emblem on top,is flanked by two statued niches (one of which has no statue) decorated with rosettes.  On top of each niche are rose windows.

The hexagonal bell tower

The hexagonal bell tower

The main entrance has niches on the front and side walls as well as other openings and is embellished by rosettes on the upper edge.  The sharp triangular pediment has a central niche flanked by two rose windows and topped by finials.

The church interior

The church interior

Its 3-storey, 25-m. high, hexagonal bell tower has one arched window on each level and is topped by a rounded dome.

How to Get There: Anini’y is located 40.46 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista and is accessible by jeeps from Hamtik and Tobias Fornier (16.5 kms.).  It is also accessible via the coastal road from Brgy. Tiolas in San Joaquin (Iloilo).

Sira-an Hot Spring and Health Resort (Anini’y, Antique)

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From San Joaquin in Iloilo, we crossed over into the adjacent province of Antique and, 1.5 kms. before the Anini’y poblacion, we all made a 1 hr. stopover at the local government-owned, Sira-an Hot Spring and Health Resort to wait for fellow bloggers arriving on the 7 AM Manila-Iloilo flight.

The resort's man-made, junior-size tiled swimming pool

The resort’s man-made, junior-size tiled swimming pool

The resort, reached via a narrow and sandy access road located just a few meters away from the National Highway, has warm and refreshing sulfurous water that flows from crevices of big boulders into a man-made, junior-size tiled swimming pool and, below it, jacuzzi-like tubs.  Be warned, though, that the water coming out of the fissure from the basin is flammable.  Hence, it is dangerous  for the smoking visitors to stand near it.

Four jacuzzi-like tubs

Four jacuzzi-like tubs

Its Kanza Bar and Restaurant offers soup (sinigang, chicken sotanghon, mushroom soup, etc.), entrees (chopsuey, pakbet, fried chicken, crispy pata, etc.), appetizers (French fries, spring rolls, chicken wings, etc.), sizzlers (pork sisig, buffalo wings, etc.), sandwiches (clubhouse, tuna, ham and cheese, etc.) and short orders (bihon or canton guisado, lomi, etc.) plus bottled or canned drinks, beer, juices and liquor.

A single jacuzzi-like tub

A single jacuzzi-like tub

The resort also has picnic huts (PhP150), 6-8-pax rooms, 6-pax guesthouse, 100-pax training center and a view deck with a fantastic of the sea.  Barangay Nato benefited from the economic development brought about by the flock of local and foreign tourists who frequented this place due to its curative waters.

Kanza Bar & Restaurant

Kanza Bar & Restaurant

The resort also offers 5-km. (15-20-min.) boat rides (PhP500, good for 10 pax) to the 26-hectare, uninhabited Nogas Island where you can stay until 5 PM. A naval reservation, dive site and bird sanctuary, it has a lighthouse, white sand beach and good coral.

Nogas Island

Nogas Island

Sira-an Hot Spring and Health Resort: Sitio Dapog, Brgy. Nato, Anini’y, Antique.  Admission: Non-Residents (PhP20/pax), Residents (PhP15/pax). Mobile numbers: (0917) 498-9652 (Globe) or (0947) 315-6766 (Smart).

How to Get There: Anini’y is located 40.46 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista and is accessible by jeeps from Hamtik and Tobias Fornier.  It is also accessible via the coastal road from Brgy. Tiolas in San Joaquin (Iloilo).

San Joaquin Cemetery (Iloilo)

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From Miag-ao, we were next driven 12.5 kms. to the adjoining town of San Joaquin.  Along the National Highway, we made another short stopover at the town’s Spanish-era cemetery (Campo Santo, translated as “holy field) where we visited its iconic mortuary chapel (capilla), the grandest and best preserved in the whole of Iloilo.

The iconic mortuary chapel of Campo Santo

The iconic mortuary chapel of Campo Santo

Nestled on elevated ground a kilometer from the poblacion, it was built in 1892 with coral rock and baked brick by Augustinian Fr. Mariano Vamba, the last Spanish parish priest of the town.

Detail of rose window and brick and coralstone facade

Detail of rose window and brick and coralstone facade

It has a vaulted hexagonal chapel decorated with Classical motifs; with tufa and plaster walls; a red, pointed dome and lateral rose windows.  To reach this chapel and the cemetery compound, we had to climb a 20-step staircase flanked by twin-tiered stone balustrades.

The statue niche with Pieta replica

The statue niche with Pieta replica

Burial niches inside chapel

Burial niches inside chapel

Inside, facing the chapel entrance, is a statue niche with a small yet beautifully made sculpture replica of Michaelangelo’s renowned Pieta. Below it is the burial niche of Pedro Sarag y Saragena (September 8, 1855-October 15, 1923).  Flanking both are 2 sets of 4 burial niches topped by a cross and flanked a skull and cross bones design.

The Baroque-style gate

The Baroque-style gate

Its Baroque-style gate, with its rich stone bas relief of carved stylized flowers and leaves, has a life-size statue of Jesus Christ, with his outstretched arms, on top of its triangular pediment.  It is flanked, on each side, with two columns with angelic figures on top.  The semicircular arch entrance, adorned by egg-shaped moldings, is topped by the sculpted head of a cherub between two skull and cross bones designs representing death.

Father and son at the stairway

Father and son at the stairway

How To Get There: San Joaquin is located 53.5 kms. from Iloilo City and 12.2 kms. from Miag-ao.

Church of St. Thomas of Villanueva (Miag-ao, Iloilo)

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From our assembly point at the the University of the Philippines Visayas, we were driven 36 kms., past the towns of Oton, Tigbauan and Guimbas, to the town of Miag-ao, the first destination in our itinerary, where we made a short stopover at the town’s Church of St. Thomas of Villanueva for some photo ops.

The Church of St. Thomas of Villanueva

The Church of St. Thomas of Villanueva

My visit here completed my wish list, that of visiting all 4 Philippine churches that have received international acclamation by being included in the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage List.  The others I’ve already visited are the Church of St. Augustine in Paoay (Ilocos Norte), the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Sta. Maria (Ilocos Sur) and the San Agustin Church in Intramuros (Manila).

The intricately carved facade

The intricately carved facade

The town’s unique and magnificent, fortress-like church is the third church edifice constructed since the foundation of the parish in 1731.  The first church, built near the Tumagbok River in Ubos around 1734, was burned and looted by Moro raiders in 1741.  The second, built by Fr. Fernando Camporredendo from 1744 to 1750, was burned by pirates who looted the town on May 1754.  To prevent a repetition, the present church was built on a hill (called Tacas) with a commanding view of the Miagao River (where the raiders usually come from).

Facade detail

Facade detail

Started in 1786 by Augustinian Fr. Francisco Maximo Gonzales, its huge stones were quarried from Sitio Tubo (San Joaquin) and Igbaras and were supervised by maestro de obras from Igbaras.  The church was completed in 1797.

A statue niche

A statue niche

Another statue niche

Another statue niche

The church was partially restored by Fr. Agustin Escudero in 1864 and its interior was decorated by Fr.Jose Sacristan in 1880.  It was damaged at different times by fire during the revolution in 1898, the Philippine-American War and again in 1910.  After the powerful January 5, 1948 earthquake, it was immediately restored by Monsigñor Wenceslao Enojo and again from 1959 to 1962 by Monsigñor Leonardo Javillo and the National Historic Institute under Chairman Esteban A. Ocampo.

A row of flying buttresses

A row of flying buttresses

A historical marker was installed by the National Historical Commission, under Director Luis Montilla, on February 16, 1963 to underscore its historical and artistic value.  The church was declared a National Landmark on August 1, 1973 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 260 and in 1994, was listed by the UNESCO as one of the world’s cultural heritage sites.

Plaque (Philippine Historical Committee)

Plaque (Philippine Historical Committee)

This church is one of the finest examples of peripheral Baroque architecture in the country and its facade blends various architectural tendencies into one local religious art style.   Its superbly-carved, high relief stone facade, embellished with naif folk motifs, features the giant St. Christopher dressed Filipino-farmer style with his pants rolled up, carrying the Infant Jesus on his shoulders across an invisible river, amidst large coconut palms and fruit-laden papaya and guava trees which symbolize fertility.

The left bell tower

The left bell tower

The right bell tower

The right bell tower

All these are reminiscent of Aztec art. Its massive, 4-m. thick walls made of honey-colored sandstone have heavy, round buttresses built to withstand earthquakes and Moro pirate raids.  The first and second levels and the integrated triangular pediment (with two oblong windows at its base) are separated by decorative balusters and the heavily drawn frieze.  The simple semicircular arched main entrance is flanked by columns and statued niches and crowned by a huge stylized acanthus and a very ornately designed statued niche.

The church interior

The church interior

The church is flanked by two massive, gradually tapering and medieval castle-like square bell towers.  Its corners are strengthened by 3/4 circular buttresses.  Both are dissimilar in height because of design changes.  One has a high pointed roof while the other has a low-pitched roof.  One has four levels and the other, three.  The left tower’s extra storey was added in 1839 by Fr. Francisco Perez (parish priest from 1827 to 1864).  The church’s simple interior is highlighted by a striking gold-plated retablo.

How To Get There: Miagao is located 40.04 kms. from Iloilo City, 12.2 kms. from San Joaquin and 8 kms. from Guimbal.