2014 Jan: Philippines: 5 Churches to Visit in Iloilo

Jaro Cathedral (Our Lady of the Candles National Shrine)

Take a jeepney with “Jaro Ikot” as a signboard, drop by the corner of E Lopez St, before the jeepney takes right turn at Graciano Lopez Jaena Park and walk to the church’s entrance gates.  Otherwise the “Ikot” means it will still go to other areas before returning to the park, and passing the front area of the church.

I would say, “where modern meets the old architecture”.  The 2 bell towers are newly constructed and the front walls of the church are being restored with cements.

The walls and good looking ceilings in the church are newly painted with green, blue and yellow.

Parish of Saint Anne  (Molo Church)

Take a jeepney with “Mohon” signboard.  Drop-off at San Pedro St.

Not part of the Catholic belief, but there are also mythology characters in the Molo Plaza Park in front of the church.

Locals said that it is a Feminist Church since the saint sculptures inside are all female Biblical characters.  Visit this page for the mass schedule.

Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao

How to get there: From Iloilo-Antique terminal in Molo area, it take more than an hour as you pass along towns of Oton, Tigbauan and Guimbal before you reach town of Miag-ao.  Fare is 80php/pax.  Remind the driver to drop-off you near the church grounds, but you’ll never miss it as it lies along the Iloilo-Antique Road.  

The reason I have visited Iloilo, I wanted to see the baroque façade that is so unique for a Catholic church in the Philippines.

On the church's facade the coconut tree appears as the "tree of life" to which St. Christopher carrying the Child Jesus on his shoulder is clinging to. The lesser facades feature the daily life of Miagaowanons during the time. Also depicted are other native flora and fauna, as well as native dress. [Reference]

World Heritage Site: One of the four Baroque Churches of the Philippines inscribed in 1993 on the World Heritage List pursuant to the 1972 UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

The Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva possesses exceptional universal value that deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity.

Parish of St Nicolas of Tolentino (Guimbal Church)

Per Wiki, the 400-year old church is made of yellow adobe and coral stones.  

St. Clements Church

Is the closest church to atrium area with English mass on Sundays at 9:00am.