40.04 kilometers southwest of Iloilo City is where one of only four churches in the country to make it to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. The church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva or better known as Miag-ao church (named after the same town) can be reached by jeepney from the city proper in about 45 minutes. Built over 200 years ago, the church’s fortress-like design suggests its dual purpose as a place of worship and as a fort used in defending the town against moro raiders during those times.
From exploreiloilo.com:
The artistic facade of the Miagao Church is decorated with a relief sculpture of St. Christopher carrying the Christ child amidst coconut, papaya and guava shrubs. Like any other foreign influences, the architecture of many colonial churches has undergone the process of indigenization. This process is carried out by incorporating the prevailing Hispano-American and Medieval Spanish architecture with local as well as Muslim and Chinese touches. Thus, the synthesized topology which is anachronistic with the unmindful sues of decorative elements. It had no distinction in terms of periods or orders. A truly ‘Philippine Church’, it exudes a native touch.
A large stone image of St. Thomas of Villanueva, parish patron saint, dominates the center. Carved life-size statues of the Pope and St. Henry with their coat-of-arms above them flank the main entrance. Supporting the facade are the twin belfries, one towering two-storeys and the other three-storeys high. The church's simple interior is nevertheless highlighted by a striking gold-plated retablo.- - -
I have been to Iloilo thrice but it was only in January this year (the third time) that i was able to get up close with this magnificent sight. It was a regular day when a friend and i went there to visit. The church was closed but with a bit of luck and my friend, being a local, found a way to sneak us in. Nah, we didn't actually sneak in. It only took a little chat with one of the people there and that's it--instant access inside the very quiet and solemn place.
contemplating (?)
I miss the place already. I wish i could go back there.
