Philippine Baroque Churches

The 5 Spanish Churches listed as “Baroque Churches” by UNESCO

These churches have been at the forefront of Philippine history, not just in furthering Christianity in the archipelago, but in serving as the political backbone of Spanish colonial rule, when Church and State were regarded as one. The unique architecture of the churches didn't just reflect the adaptation of Spanish/Latin American architecture to the local environment (including the fusion with Chinese motifs), but also of the Church's political influence.

These churches had been subject to attacks by local revolts and rebellions, hence, most had the appearance of a fortress, rather than just serving as mere religious structures. This is especially noteworthy in the case of Santa Maria Church, located on top of a hill, serving as a citadel during times of crisis. Miag-ao Church also withstood the occasional attacks of Muslims from the south.

Further, the location of the Philippines along the Pacific Ring of Fire called for the emphasis on the buttresses and foundations of these churches, with some being seriously damaged, but eventually rebuilt after an earthquake. The most imposing of these buttresses could be found in Paoay Church, while the true testament of this architecture could be seen in San Agustin Church, Manila, the only structure in Intramuros to survive World War II. Hence, the unique architectural style became known as Earthquake Baroque.

1) Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin,

Intramuros, Manila

San Agustin Church is a Roman Catholic church under the auspices of The Order of St. Augustine, located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila. Completed by 1607, It is the oldest church still standing in the Philippines; no other surviving building in the Philippines has been claimed to pre-date San Agustin Church.

In 1993, San Agustin Church was one of four Philippine churches constructed during the Spanish colonial period to be designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, under the collective title Baroque Churches of the Philippines. It was named a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976.

2) Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion, Sta. Maria, Ilocos

Sur

The influx of the settlers after the full conquest of the Ilocos Region by the Spaniards greatly increased the population of Santa Maria. Besides economic progress, evangelical missions were expanded. The town’s proximity to the interior settlements which were the targets of the earlier evangelical missionaries made Santa Maria as the center of both the religious and commercial activities.

In 1567, Santa Maria was a mere visita of Narvacan; and independent ministry in 1760; and in 1767, it was once again a well- organized township. It had its own minister.According to the legend, before the Santa Maria Church was built on its present site, the Virgin Mary was enshrined in a distant place, Bulala. It usually happened that the Virgin Mary disappeared from her place of enthronement only to be found perched on a guava tree that grew where the present chapel of the Santa Maria Church is located.

This story is believed by many of the people which had led them to erect the church in its present site.In 1810, a bell tower was built beside the church.It was furnished a bell in 1811. After it was remodeled in 1863, its foundation must have gradually settled down making the imposing structure slightly leaning or tilting as it appears today.

3) San Agustin Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Paoay Church is the Roman Catholic parish church of the municipality of Paoay, Ilocos Norte in the Philippines. Completed in 1710, the church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building. In 1993, the church was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one best examples of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.

Paoay church is prime example of Earthquake Baroque architecture, which is the Philippine interpretation of the European Baroque adapted to the seismic condition of the country. Destructive earthquakes are common and have destroyed earlier churches all throughout the country.[1] Aside from Baroque, the church facade also exudes Javanese architecture reminiscent of Borobudur of Java.

4) Church of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva, Miagao, Iloilo

The Miag-ao Church was built in 1786 by Spanish Augustinian missionaries and was declared as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Baroque Churches of the Philippines" in 1993. On the front facade, which is flanked by two watchtower belfries, one can see the unique blending of Spanish and native influences.

The central feature of the bas-relief facade is a large coconut tree which reaches almost to the apex. While an integral part of the Philippine landscape, the coconut tree is also the subject of lore. According to an old Philippine legend, the coconut tree was the only bequest from a loving mother to her two children, a tree which sustained them for life.

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.

The church and its watchtowers were also built to defend the town and its people against raids by the Moros. It therefore has thick walls and, reportedly, secret passages. Indeed stretching along the Iloilo coast are defensive towers, but none that equal the size of the Miag-ao. It is because of this defensive purpose that it is sometimes referred to as the Miag-ao Fortress Church.

5) St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, Vigan, Ilocos Sur

(Debated)

The first Vigan Cathedral was ordered and built in 1574 by Juan de Salcedo. Another version of the church was again constructed in 1641 but was unfortunately destroyed by an earthquake. A reconstructed church was gutted with fire in 1739. The current church was constructed in 1790 and was finished in 1800. The church itself became a cathedral when the seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia was transferred from Cagayan to Vigan.

6) Church of St. Raymond of Penyafort Malaueg, Rizal,

Cagayan

The St. Raymond of Penyafort Parish, also known as The Malaueg Church is one of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) world heritage sites in the Philippines and seat of The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao City, Philippines. The church dedicated to San Raymundo de Penaforte was built in Malaueg through the efforts of a local chieftain named Luis Pagulayan.

Malaueg was accepted as an ecclesiastical mission of the Dominicans in 1608 and was used as an outpost for the conquest of the Cordillera and in bringing down remontados.

Other known candidates

1) San Agustin Church, Bacong, Negros Oriental

Parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Balayan,

Batangas

3) Parish church of Santiago Apostol, Betis Guagua, Pampanga

4) Parish Church of Patrocinio de Maria, Boljoon, Cebu

5) Parish Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, Calasiao, Pangasinan

6) Parish Church of San Vicente de Ferrer, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya

7) Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, Guiuan, Eastern Samar

8) Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, Jasaan,

Misamis Oriental

9) Parish Church of San Juan Bautista, Jimenez, Misamis

Occidental

10) Parish Church of San Isidro Labrador, Lazi, Siquijor

11) Parish Church of San Pedro and San Pablo, Loboc, Bohol

12) Parish Church of Sta. Catalina de Alejandria, Luna, La Union

13) Parish Church of San Carlos Borromeo, Mahatao, Batanes

14) Parish Church of San Gregorio Magno, Majayjay, Laguna

15) Parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady,

Maragondon, Cavite

16) Parish Church of San Andres, Masinloc, Zambales

17) Parish Church of Sta. Monica, Panay, Capiz

18) Cathedral of St. Joseph, Romblon, Romblon

19) San Joaquin Parish Church, San Joaquin, Iloilo

20) Parish Church of San Juan Bautista, Tabaco City, Albay

21) San Ildefonso Parish Church, Tanay, Rizal

22) Minor Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Tayabas, Quezon

23) Sta. Catalina de Alejandria Parish Church, Tayum. Abra

24) San Matias Parish Church, Tumauini, Isabela

25) Holy Cross Parish Church, Maribojoc, Bohol

26) Parish Church of St. Andrew the Apostle, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte

27) Parish Church of Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados, Sta. Ana,

Manila

28) Church of our Lady of the Gate, Daraga, Albay

29) Parish of Our Lady of the Light, Loon, Bohol

30) Sta. Monica Parish Church, Minalin, Pampanga

31) Parish Church of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Dimiao, Bohol

32) Parish Church of the Holy Sacrifice, UP Diliman Campus, Quezon CIty

33) Sto. Domingo Church, Abucay, Bataan

34) Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Malolos, Bulacan

35) Baler Church, Aurora

36) St. Augustine Church, Lubao, Pampanga

37) Minor Basilica of San Sebastian, Quiapo, Manila

38) St. John the Baptist Parish Church, Calamba, Laguna

39) St. James the Apostle Parish Church, Paete, Laguna

40) Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, Taal, Batangas

41) Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Boac, Marinduque

42) Immaculate Conception (Quipayo) Church, Calabanga, Camarines Sur

43) San Antonio de Padua Church, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo

44) San Agustin Church, Dumangas, Iloilo

45) St. Anne Parish Church, Molo, Iloilo

46) Baclayon Church, Bohol

47) Minor Basilica of Sto Nino, Cebu

48) Church of Nuestra Senora de la Consolacion, Argao, Cebu

49) San Guillermo de Aquitania Parish Church, Dalaguete, Cebu.

50) Santissima Trinidad Parish Church, Loay, Bohol

51) Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Maasin City

The 5 Philippine Baroque Churches according to the UNESCO List:

1) San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila

2) Church of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur

3) San Agustin Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte

4) Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church, Miagao, Iloilo

5) St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, Vigan, Ilocos Sur (Debated)

6) St. Raymond of Penyafort Malaueg Church, Rizal, Cagayan

Sources:

http://www.wikipedia.orghttp://www.wikipilipinas.comhttp://whc.unesco.org/en/list/677http://images.google.com

QUIZ

A) Determine the Church being described.

1) Which Church is said to be the oldest existing structure in the Philippines?

a) Miagao Fortress Church Click for Answer

b) San Agustin Click for Answer

c) Paoay Click for Answer

2) Which Church has a belfry which leans slightly due to problems with the foundations? a) Vigan Church Click for Answer

b) Paoay Church Click for Answer

c) Sta. Maria Church Click for Answer

3) The First Church was ordered and built by Juan de Salcedo.

a) Vigan Cathedral Click for Answer

b) San Agustin Church Click for Answer c) Sta. Maria Church Click for Answer

4) The church was built in 1786 by Spanish Missionaries

a) San Agustin Church Click for Answerb) Sta. Maria ChurchClick for Answer c) Miagao Fortress ChurchClick for Answer

5) It was entered in the UNESCO list on 1993

a) Miagao Fortress ChurchClick for Answerb) San Agustin ChurchClick for Answerc) Paoay ChurchClick for Answer

B) Determine the picture that matches the name of the candidate.

1) Cathedral of the immaculate Conception, Boac, Marinduque

2) San Agustin Church, Dumangas, Iloilo

3) Parish Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Balayan,

Batangas

4) San Guillermo de la Aquitania Parish Church, Dalaguete, Cebu

5) Church of Our Lady of the Gate, Daraga, Albay

Main Websites:

www.wikipedia.orgSimbahan.net (Estan Cabigas)Langyaw.com (Estan Cabigas)

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