Miag-ao Church
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Miag-ao Church (also known as the Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva) in the town of Miagao, Iloilo is one of the Philippines' architectural and religious gems. Built between 1787 and 1797, its fortress-like design suggests its dual purpose as a place of worship and as a fort used in defending the town against moro raiders at the time. It is one of only four (Augustinian-built) churches in the country to make it to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.
By virtue of P.D. 260, August 1, 1973 as amended by P.D. 375, January 14, 1974, this church was declared as a National Landmark and in 1994 it was listed by the UNESCO as one of the world's Cultural Heritage sites.
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[edit] History
Miag-ao’s first parish church was constructed near the Tumagbok River in Ubos by Nicolas Pangkug, the first town capitan (equivalent to today’s town mayor). It was completed three years before the first assignment of a Spanish priest in Miag-ao, consequent to the creation of the Miag-ao parish on May 15, 1734. The first church, however, was burned by Muslim pirates in 1741.
The second church was constructed at the same site under the guidance of the parish priest, Fray Fernando Camporedondo (1746-1747). This was also burned and looted by pirates in May 1754.
Construction of the present church was started in December 1786 began in 1787 while Fray Francisco M. Gonzales, O.S.A. was the parish priest of the town and Domingo Libo-on was Gobernadorcillo. The church was completed in 1797. It served as fortress against Muslim raiders. In 1898, during the revolution, the church was destroyed, subsequently rebuilt, it was damaged by an earthquake in 1948. Restoration efforts began in 1960 and was completed in 1962, during the term of office of Most Rev. Dr. Jose Ma. Cuenco, D.D., Metropolitan Archbishop of Jaro, of Msgr. Fernando S. Javillo, D.D., Parish Priest of the town and Dioscoro Mueda, Municipal Mayor.
[edit] Architecture
The church is a good example of peripheral Baroque-architecture. Its artistic facade is decorated with a relief sculpture of St. Christopher carrying the Christ child amidst coconut, papaya and guava shrubs.
Miag-ao Church exhibits various architectural design with the predominance of baroque and local artistic elements. Eclecticism is reflected primarily on its facade, in the employment of various relief motifs, which are highly decorative and of diverse period styles. These are artistically carved on homegrown carbonaceous limestone of soft yellow ochre color. Harmoniously-matrixed, arranged and crafted, the symbolic structures cannot but reflect the refinement in skills and talents attained by local artists engaged in mission churches architecture.
The adobe used in building the church is made from silt and clay that can only be found in this part of Iloilo, giving the building a unique warm-yellowish glow. Flying buttresses from the side of the church walls are typical of the "earthquake baroque" design reminiscent of churches in Ilocos, particularly that of Paoay Church and Vigan Cathedral. Also of note are the dissimilar designs of the two belfries; both were commissioned by two different parish priests. The church?s simple interior is nevertheless highlighted by a striking gold-plated retablo.
In Baroque-Romanesque style, the church sinks six (6) meters deep into the ground with walls one-and-a-half (1 1/2) meters thick and buttresses thrice thicker.
[edit] Location
Miag-ao is located 40.04 km. south-west of Iloilo City. Jeepneys can be taken from the city proper to this town in about 45 minutes.
[edit] External Links
[edit] Reference
- National Historical Institute.Historical Markers:Regions V-XII. Manila:National Historical Institute,1994.
- Explore Iloilo. (accessed on April 18, 2008).
- Lino Photography. (accessed on April 18, 2008).
[edit] Citation
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Original content from WikiPilipinas. under GNU Free Documentation License. See full disclaimer. |
