The San Sebastian Cathedral Centennial Belfry in Bacolod City was constructed by the Sugarlandia Lions Club of Bacolod. The bell was mounted on the cathedral towers in the year 1879 and due to storms and fires the bell was lowered down during the towers reconstruction in the year 1969. In 1976 the centuries old bells were moved at the right side of the churchyard yard after it has marked its 100 years.

San Sebastian Cathedral Centennial Belfry

Constructed by Sugarlandia Lions Club of Bacolod. Inaugurated  July 31, 1976. the Cathedral Centennial year; Large Bell (1,543.5 kls, costing  Php 1,245.00) donated 1866 by Fr. Mariano Avila, Bacolod Parish Priest, 1863-1871. Small bell (761kgs) Installed 1890 by fr. Mauricio Ferrero, recollect parish priest of bacolod, 1871-1910; These mounted on cathedral towers, 1879; warned Bacolod of Revolution, November 5,1898, storms and fires; lowered during cathedral towers reconstruction, 1969

Vigan Cathedral was built in 1574 on the order of Juan de Salcedo, the conquistador and Founder of Villa Fernandina, now Vigan. The original chapel was made of wood and thatch and it features a Neo-Gothic and pseudo Romanesque motifs. The baroque-styled church has thick buttresses to support it through earthquakes and typhoons. It only became a cathedral when the seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia was transferred from Cagayan to Vigan in 1758.

The church bell tower (belfry) stands separately in Plaza Burgos, 10 meters south of the cathedral. The bell tower is about 25 meters high and it is surmounted by a large bronze weathercock that is said to symbolize St Peter.

As found in the church’s marker, the original church was a chapel of wood and thatch erected in 1574 on orders of Juan de Salcedo, the conquistador and Founder of Villa Fernandina (now Vigan). Historian Benito Legarda writes that the “construction of the cathedral to replace the dilapidated church of San Pablo was authorized by the celebrated Governor Jose de Basco y Vargas in 1786, and the cornerstone was laid on January 31, 1790.”

The Bell Tower of Vigan Cathedral located in Plaza Burgos, just a few meters away from the church.

The church itself became a cathedral when the seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia was transferred from Lal-lo, Cagayan, to Vigan in 1758. An imposing structure in the heart of Vigan, the church’s main door flanked by two pairs of columns which rise to the second tier of the façade. A niche above the main door houses a statue of St. Paul. A three-story bell tower with a square base and a mini-dome at the top lies nearby. (Source: Ilocos Sur Website)

ST. PAUL METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Official Website: http://www.ilocossur.com.ph

It became a Cathedral when the seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia was transferred from Cagayan to Vigan in 1758.

The church at night…

The Bell Tower at the top of the Hills.

Bantay church and Belltower is one of the oldest churches of Ilocos Sur. The church was built in 1590 with a baroque and Gothic inspired architecture. This architectural design was influenced by the Europeans eventhough it was built under the Spanish regime and it was also built through forced labor. The church’s patron is “Our Lady of Charity”.

The Bantay belfry is located just a few meters away from the church on top of the hill and it was used as a lookout point for approaching enemies during the war. When one is on the top of the tower, you can see the beauty of the whole town and the surrounding towns from it. The Belfry is really a magnificent structure due to its baroque-gothic style as well as the church.

“St. Augustine Church in Bantay is one of the oldest churches of Ilocos Sur, it was built in 1590 with Fr. Montoya, as the first parish priest. The Augustinian friars named it after St. Augustine, the Patron Saint. The church was damaged during the World War II but was reconstructed in 1950. The restored facade is of neo-gothic design mixed with pseudo-Romanesque materials and elements. Its grandiose design afforded a reminiscent of the old Spanish architecture using indigenous materials, which are of bricks and slime. According to great ancestors, fishermen found the image of Our Lady of Charity placed in a wooden box floating in Bantaoay river and when the news broke, people from other towns and Provinces came to take the image but could not be moved and only people from Bantay were able to carry the miraculous image. It became the sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity on January 12, 1956, when the most Reverend Msgr. Vagnozzi, the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, crowned the miraculous image as the Patroness of Ilocandia. The picturesque bellfry sits on a hilltop (atop the Calvario Hill) overlooking a vivid green vast of pastureland and the mountain view of the Province of Abra. It was used as a watchtower for invading enemy forces during World Wars I and II. Evidently, the Bantay Church and bell tower are the monumental witnesses to various atrocities, uprisings and staged revolts.”

THE SHRINE OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA CARIDAD / BANTAY CHURCH
Bantay, Ilocos Sur
Official Website: http://www.ilocossur.com.ph

merging the old and the new….

the church and the bell tower….

we ride a kalesa from vigan to bantay church and belltower

The Baroque Church of Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur was built by the Augustinian Friars during the Spanish times. The Church is not only a reminiscent of the four centuries of Spanish domination but also it is a unique structure with a diversified architectural design that is made of stones and mortar.

The church was built on top of a hill not only as a look-out but also as a religious center during the Spanish times. If you want to go to the church one must climb 85 steps to reach the top. The stonewall fortresses of the church was used for protection against enemy attack in the old days. And the buttresses were built to withstand the powers of earthquakes common in the region.

It also served as a citadel in the old days.

The bell tower beside the church was built in 1810 and was furnished in 1811. The belfry of Sta. Maria is really unique for the structure is slightly leaning.

What I like about Sta. Maria Church is its location on the top of the Hill, for you can view the nearby towns and municipality 360 degree. Aside from that, the church backyard is really beautiful for it is covered in green, “cadena de amor”.

The baroque church of Santa Maria is one of the four Baroque churches in the Philippines that is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also considered as a Masterpiece.

The leaning bell tower of Sta. Maria Church.

Paoay Church is one of the four Baroque Churches in the country that has been listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. It is located in Paoay, Ilocos Norte and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.

The Church was constructed by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo in 1694 and it was completed by year 1710.

The Church is a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental Designs. Paoay Church was built of baked bricks, coral stones, salbot(tree sap) and lumber. It is also known as the “Earthquake Baroque church in the Philippines. It has 24 carved buttresses for support on its sides to prevent it from falling down during earthquakes. Not only that, this support walls give also roof access during fire and typhoon.

A three-storey belfry that is made of coral stones, stand a few meters away from the church. This bell tower served as an observation post by the katipuneros during the Philippine Revolution in WWII.

The Municipality of Valladolid is known as the “Fruit Basket” of Negros because of its huge production of fruits. Aside from that, the town is known for their Century Old Church, the Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The size of the church and the convent, which was built by the Recollects missionaries in 1851, support some views that the church authorities during those days were the most powerful in running the affairs of the government all throughout the country.

The church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is really a beautiful church. The church original altar is still standing at the back of the church now, since it was gutted by fire. The ruins of the Kumbento are located at the right side of the church and on the left side stand the beautiful Our Lady of Guadalupe Adoration Chapel.

Well, Our Lady of Guadalupe is really not hard to miss when you visit the town of Valladolid for it is just along the Highway. As in, really easy to find.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

Valladolid, Negros Occidental

The church Facade

The church original altar

The Adoration Chapel

Valladolid Church

The beautiful Valladolid sunset

]]> http://www.lagawan.info/2009/02/27/our-lady-of-guadalupe-church-in-valladolid-negros/feed/ 7 http://www.lagawan.info/2009/02/17/the-century-old-church-in-hinigaran-negros/ http://www.lagawan.info/2009/02/17/the-century-old-church-in-hinigaran-negros/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:23:04 +0000 AudreyRose http://www.lagawan.info/?p=760 Last month I went on a tour of South Negros with my cousin and nieces to discover the hidden gem of the south. Our first stop was Kabankalan City for their 2009 Sinulog Festival. Then our next stop was the municipality of Hinigaran, Negros.

Hinigaran is a 1^st class municipality who is known for their oyster for they have the best oyster in the province of Negros. But the main reason why we went there is to visit one of the Province century old stone church, the St. Mary Magdalene.

The church of St. Mary Magdalene is built in 1858 and the church bell was made of silver and gold that weigh 480 kg. Well, it’s hard to miss this century old church for it is just along the Highway, just across the towns Plaza.

St. Mary Magdalene Church
Hinigaran, Negros Occidental

St. Mary Magdalene Bell Tower

The Ruins in Talisay City

1. Chapel of Cartwheel – located in Santa Rosalia Farm Manapla, at the back of the Gaston ancestral mansion. The chapel are made of molave cartwheels that Msg. Gaston found in a warehouse.

2. Church of St. Joseph – Found at the heart of Victorias Milling Co. complex; features the world-renowned mural of “Christ” done in psychedelic colors. It is popularly known to the locals as the “Angry Christ”.

3. The Ruins in Talisay City – a most see structure of an Italianate architecture built by Don Mariano Ledesma in the early 1900’s.

4. Balay Negrense – located in Silay City, approximately 15 minutes from Bacolod. It was built in 1898, is the ancestral house of Don Victor Gaston, second son of Yves Leopold who developed the sugar industry in Northern Negros.

5. Jalandoni-Bernardino Museum – located in Silay City also, was built in 1908, it was nearly burned down in World War II when the Japanese occupied the town. Now, it was converted into a Family Museum by the Silay Heritage group.

6. Hofileña Ancestral House – located in Silay City, 15 km. from Bacolod city; home to a collection of rare art pieces, antiques and paintings done by Luna, Rizal, and Hidalgo; venue of the first wood printing in Negros.

7. Patag Valley Trekking – located in Silay City, 45 km. from Bacolod City; located 400 meters above sea level between the highlands of Mt. Silay and Mt. Marapara; home of the Philippines’ spotted deer; highlight of the visit is a skyline ride.

8. Guintubdan and Mt. Kanlaon Natl. Park – located Sitio Guintubdan, Bgy. Ara-al, La Carlota City. A tropical hideaway beneath a canopy of forest. Has springs, waterfalls, giant trees, ferns, among others.

9. Mambucal Mountain Resort – located in Murcia, 30 km. from Bacolod City; gateway to the Mt. Kanlaon National Park; built as a spa in 1928; situated at an altitude of roughly 2,000 ft. above sea level on the north-western foot of Mt. Kanlaon.

10. Kipot Twin Falls – located in Bgy. Mailum, Bago City. Consists of a stream separated by a sharp overhang that splits the water into 2 seemingly identical cascades.

11. Santa Clara Chapel – located in Santa Clara Subd. Bacolod City. It is popularly known as the “Mural of Birhen sang Barangay”. The chapel houses a large mural mosaic that is made of 95,000 pieces of various species of shells from Bacolod and Iloilo.

12. Capitol Building (Bacolod City) – Imposing structure of Romanesque neo-classical architectural design, official seat of government of the Province of Negros Occidental; served as headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.

Aside from this off the beaten path that I listed, there are many places that are worth visiting in Bacolod and the neighbouring Cities. If you want to know more off the beaten path worth visiting just visit WOW Philippines. This is just a list for those visitors who have some time to spare with them during the Masskara Festival. And since you’re already in the province why not check some places out right? So what are you waiting for? Tara na! (Let’s Go!)

Thanks to ifoundme for the Ruins photo.

San Guillermo Church, more popularly known as the Half-buried church of Bacolor.

BACOLOR CHURCH was named after the town’s Patron Saint, San Guillermo. The Church was originally constructed by the Augustinian Friars in 1576 – also the town’s founding – with Fr. Diego De Ochoa, OSA, as the town’s first parish priest having been installed as such two years after. In 1880, the Church was destroyed by an earthquake only to be rebuilt by Fr. Eugenio ALvarez in 1886. On September 3, 1995, lahar flow from the slopes of Mt. Pinatubo which erupted into world notice on June 15,1991, buried the church at half its 12-m height prompting of its more than 50,000 town residents to evacuate to safer grounds in resettlement areas.

Posing at the church buried window

The Old and the New Window