Exploring Iloilo City: Visiting Two Churches and a Chimney!life story

Exploring Iloilo City: Visiting Two Churches and a Chimney!

Name of Trip: Panay Island Adventures 2010
Date: June 13 - 16, 2010

Destination: Iloilo City, Capiz, Aklan (Kalibo & Boracay) and Guimaras Island

Travel via: Air (Philippine Airlines & Airphil Express), Land (van, tricycle, multicab), Water (motor boat)

The Muscovado Chimney Rotunda

The moment we stepped in Iloilo, the first thing that comes into our mind was the food. Not just because we were hungry but that's our impression since Iloilo has rich in food resources. But on this blog, I featured on the things that a tourist visit within the city. Iloilo City is one of the major cities of the Philippines. It also has rich in cultures that contributed to the country.

Iloilo City. Source: Wikipedia

The city was merged from different towns in the province and became districts of the city. These composed of Jaro, Molo, La Paz, Mandurriao, Villa Arevalo and City Proper. The district of Lapuz, a former of part of La Paz was declared a district last 2008.

Source: Wikipedia

We started to travel around the city. Food trip will be written separately since it will be focused on what Iloilo has to offer, culturally and spiritually. Since most of us were Roman Catholic by faith, we went to church. Our driver suggested to be at Jaro and witnessed one of the oldest church in the city.

First Stop: Jaro Cathedral

The seat of Archdiocese of Jaro was here. It was also named Shrine of Our Lady of Candles or Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria in Spanish. The cathedral was also dedicated to St. Elizabeth of Hungary. This was constructed of Romanesque architecture. Since we went on Sunday. We heard mass but it was Hiligaynon (native dialect of Iloilo) but we still continued hearing mass. We were amazed the beauty of the structure as well as the Iloilo's strong faith.

Welcome to Jaro Cathedral

The signage

It was under renovation

the altar

church ceilings

another view of the ceilings

beside the altar

the other side

all male saints standing on each pillar

History Marker in Filipino language

The red dome

Next Stop: Jaro Belfry

Just across the cathedral and we easily noticed the bell tower. One of the few belfries in country that stands apart from the church. It was constructed by the Spaniards to serve also as a watchtower to monitor Muslim invasion from Mindanao. The colonial structure was ruined by an earthquake in 1948, but was restored decades later, in the mid-1990s. (Source: Iloilo City)

The Belfry

Picturesque

Next Stop: The Muscovado Chimney Rotunda

On our way to Molo, we passed this rotunda at Mandurriao district. It was a chimney monument and according to our driver, this was dedicated to the sugar industry of the province. It was located at Pison area.

The monument

group picture

the history

up close

photo shot

me and the monument

Next Stop: Molo Church

Once you head to Molo district, we already noticed a big Gothic style church. It is said to be Jose Rizal's short stop to Iloilo, on his way to Dapitan. This was made of coral rock. If Jaro Cathedral has male saints on each pillars, Molo Church is a "Church of Women" due women saints that decorate the pillars. It is also known as Shrine of St. Anne.

Molo Church

nice park

located infront of the church

church history written in Tagalog

array of women saints on each pillars

the main altar

church ceilings

another ceiling pic

white dome this time for Molo Church

We went back to city proper and we took our lunch at SM City Iloilo and after that we went to Highway 21 Hotel for our check-in. This hotel was situated beside Sarabia Manor Hotel. Rates was affordable. Rooms were clean.