Archive for the ‘Philippine Heritage and Churches’ Category
Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 |
The church in Loon, built by the Augustinian Recollects in 1853, is considered the most beautiful of the 19th century churches in Bohol. It was designed by Domingo Escondrillas, a government employee, and is made of finely cut coral. The convent, built at the same time as the church is now a school. The church’s long flight of 174 stone steps believed to be the longest step stairway in the country reminiscent of Spanish forced labor.
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 |
Punta Cruz Watchtower in Maribojoc, Bohol
The watchtower in Punta Cruz, Maribojoc town is located 14 kilometers from Tagbilaran City and is made of stone. A wooden cross is planted in a slightly indented area in front of the tower. According to legend, the cross has been enchanted with a mysterious spell that had saved many people from the ravages of pirates. The cross is said to extend its arms to the sea, preventing marauders. The tower, which has windows that overlook nearby islands Cebu and Siquijor and the Mindanao Sea, served as a lookout for pirates.
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Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 |
Casa Rocha-Suarez Heritage Center
Casa Rocha-Suarez is one of the few remaining Spanish-period trading villas in the province of Bohol, and one of the only two left in historic Sitio Ubos – the coastal lowland that was once the Old Tagbilaran, the province’s economic center at the time. Built circa 1800 to 1830, it was opened as a lifestyle museum and heritage center, and poignantly dedicated by the Rocha-Suarez heirs to the people of Bohol.
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Saturday, April 18th, 2009 |
The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon town is one of the best preserved Jesuit-built churches in the region. The mission was established by Fr. Juan de Torres and Fr. Gabriel Sanchez, who arrived in Bohol from Cebu in November 1596. The Jesuit priests convinced the locals to build a church, which was probably a bamboo and thatch church.
Baclayon served at one time as the residential or center of the Bohol missions, where the superior resided. There are claims that the present stone church in Baclayon is the oldest in the Philippines but evidence places the construction of the church to 1727. The belief that the church was built in 1595 was probably because of a 19th century report from the Recollects that the mission was founded in 1595. The same report, however also lists two other dates 1593 and 1594. The date 1595 inscribed on the church facade is a later addition.
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Monday, March 2nd, 2009 |
The present cathedral of Tagbilaran traces to a church built by Fr. Valero de San Pascual, OAR, while the bell tower to Fr. Jose Sanchez, OAR. The church’s interior and exterior have undergone renovations. However, despite the renovations, some historic pieces still remain. The two side altars are in the 18th century Baroque style, while the central altar, decorated with symbols from the Old Testament is in the 19th century neoclassical style. The statue of St. Joseph, the patron of the church, is an 18th century vintage. The church has a good collection of ancient documents, including a fragment of an 18th century Visayan dictionary.
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Friday, September 5th, 2008 |
St. Augustine Church popularly known as Paoay Church was built in 1694 and was completed in 1710. It was commissioned by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo. This fortress-like church is so unique in our country since its heavy-set buttresses and finials give the church a silhouette similar to Asian temples. The church is also considered as the most outstanding variant of the earthquake baroque.
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Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 |
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is the ecclesiastical seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cebu. The construction of the church took long due to lack of funds and some unexpected events like the death of the incumbent bishop who spearheaded the construction and some vacancies in the office.
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