Ilocos Norte: Revisiting Paoay Church

More than of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, more than of being one of the best Baroque churches in the Philippines, and more than of being an Augustinian Church, one gravitational pull that attracts me to see this place every time I'm here in the Ilocos Norte, is its homey peacefulness vibes that it shed to me every time I see it. That and some more are the reasons why I love visiting Paoay Church.

Settled right at the smack of the lovely town of Paoay, the Church of Saint Augustine or more commonly known as Paoay Church is one of the most visited sites in this part of the country. Still standing strong and grand since it was built in the 1700s, Paoay Church also carries this captivating Javanese architectural design aside from its celebrated Earthquake Baroque architecture.

This is my second time to be here, the last one was way back in 2008. And though I wasn't able to stay in town for a day again, I actually spent longer time now than before since we had our lunch in a cafe restaurant right across the church, the Herencia Cafe.

St. James Parish: The Simple Face of Bolinao

They say that you will know the kind of people living in a town or city through its churches. On how the church looks and how the people there when to see it. And when I visited Bolinao, Pangasinan, it was their church - the St. James Parish Church - was the one who greeted us and gave us an idea on what to expect from this simple yet lovely town.

There was once an article I read about this church and its town. It was said on that article that the town of Bolinao and its church, St. James Parish Church is claiming that the Catholicism in the country started here in this very peaceful town. And it was here where the first Catholic mass was held. Though, there was no accounts to prove the claim, and despite of it being NOT the Queen City, I personally think, that without the title, Bolinao is one lovable town that can make your stay memorable and worthwhile.

Puerto del Sol

Tagaytay City: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church

To some, Tagaytay City is just a one-stop shop for coffee drinking while overlooking the beautiful Taal Volcano, while to some, it is one market heaven where you could buy the freshest meat, fruits and vegetables. But for me, if there's one more reason why going to Tagaytay City is such a pleasure, well, that is because of their very humble yet so lovely church that I love to see over and over again - the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church. 

Located at the very heart of this cool city in the south, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church can be seen at your right after passing the Rotonda, that is if you are coming from Metro Manila. With its humble facade depicting a modern architecture, which is actually basically covered by tall trees, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church is also a place of healing and pilgrimage to some who are seeking some peace of mind out of the busy life of the metropolis.

Aklan: Kalibo Cathedral and the Sto. Niño de Kalibo

Two decades after the devastating earthquake that was felt all over Panay Island, Aklan, specifically Kalibo, stays firm and strong to their devotion to Sto. Niño as they build a modern-style church called Kalibo Cathedral - a proof to the world that they faith won't be shattered by any calamity.

Located at the provincial capital, Kalibo Cathedral can be easily reached by feet or by simply taking a tricycle straight from the Kalibo International Airport.

With Sto. Niño de Kalibo at the center of faith and religion here in Kalibo, just like most of the provinces in Visayas region, Kalibo Cathedral offers a closer interaction with their patron saint and wonderful taste of a once a historical ground for Aklanons.

A Memorable Visit at San Pedro de Alcantara Church

Last Holy Week, I was able to visit more than a dozen of churches. From classic to contemporary, one thing that I can't deny, my heart skips a beat every time I see one beautiful Philippine church. And one of those many churches that I visited that really left a mark of good memory in my heart and mind is Pakil, Laguna's San Pedro de Alcantara Church.

This church albeit housing Saint Peter de Alcantara is more popular for its miraculous Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba or Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba.

On my first-ever visit on this church last Good Friday, I was able to walk at every passage of this church and hear its very uplifting and truly mystifying stories. We know how the life in the provinces in our country works, and here in Pakil, there's no exception.

Via Crucis: The 14 Churches of Iloilo (Part Two)

Click this to read Part One.


One day ain't enough to see all the mystical gems of Iloilo - Churches - that's why on my second day on this journey, I started a little earlier to make sure that I'll get to visit all 14 churches on my list. As early as 6 in the morning, I'm already on my way to my eight church destination.

There's still one church in the southern Iloilo that I've miss, that's why I went back there to complete the southern churches on my list. 

Eighth Destination - Eighth Station - Sto. Nino de Arevalo Church

Sto. Nino de Arevalo houses what is said to be the third oldest Sto. Nino image here in the Philippines, and despite of its claim of having an old image of Sto. Nino, the structure of this church has this modern simple appeal. With high ceiling, which is very common to most Catholic churches in the country, and walls that are mostly made of steel grills, Sto. Nino de Arevalo appeals to those who prefer a simpler place to pray. 

When I visited the place, I must say that its cleanliness is what attracted me. The white statues of saints that are planted on the side of the church is also an additional attraction here in Sto. Nino de Arevalo, though, it wasn't that really appealing, I know.

Via Crucis: The 14 Churches of Iloilo (Part One)

I had this fascination over the architectural design of churches as early as 10 years old. My aunt who's into Via Crucis asked me one time to join her on Via Crucis, and from then on, it's been my share of sacrifices during Holy Week, and its been a goal of mine to see more churches here in the country and abroad.

Upon learning that Iloilo nests a number of truly mystifying churches, I set foot on this very welcoming province last year. But my journey then wasn't enough to explore all of its gems, so this year, I visited the place again and devoted my whole trip in seeing these architectural gems.

I'm no pro when it comes to architectural designs, so if you find something wrong on this post, please correct me. ^_^

Arriving at Iloilo Airport on a cloudy Thursday morning wasn't part of the plan. I'm planning to see 6 or 7 churches that same day, so the positivism is all over me from our home in Tondo down here in Iloilo.

Btw, Iloilo Airport is like a small NAIA Terminal 3, and I love it!

Reaching my first destination for this Via Crucis trip has two options, but since I'm on a hurry, due to the coming dark clouds, I took the shuttle going to SM Iloilo.

Boracay: Holy Rosary Parish Boracay

For a guy who loves churches so much, I didn't left Boracay missing its one and only church, the Holy Rosary Parish Boracay. And this is where I spent my last few minutes on this very, very beautiful island.

Located along the main road of Boracay, finding this church is so easy. Since its the only Catholic church on the island, Holy Rosary Parish Boracay can be easily asked to all the locals there.

Though, one thing that I must say to all of you, this facility is tooooo simple. Comparing it to Boracay's grand and truly breath-taking views and hotel, it seemed that the local government forgot this one. I'm not saying it isn't pleasing to see, it is still the house of God, but it's just that the place is too bare.

Iloilo: San Jose Parish Placer

Completing the churches that we got to see on our first-ever visit on this lovely province, Iloilo, is a church that also carries the name of our own community church, San Jose. And with this last sight of Iloilo's beauty, I'm glad that I somehow managed to see at least three of this province's majestic and lovely churches. :-)

San Jose Parish Placer is located at the heart of Iloilo City. Fronting the historical Plaza Libertad and standing beside San Jose Catholic School, San Jose Parish Placer is considerably a modern Roman-esque style church with its high ceiling and Roman pillars.

Via Crucis: 14 Churches of Manila

I've been doing this Visita Iglesia thing or Via Crucis since I was in the 4th grade. It opened my eyes to the wonderful story of sacrifices made by Jesus, as well as it opened my eyes to the amazingly made churches here in the Manila.

And now, let me share to you my journey as I complete the 14 stations of the cross of Jesus Christ with these 14 amazing churches of Manila City.