Baroque Churches of the Philippines : A Fusion of European and Indigenous Arts

... and San Josenyong Gala visited them all!  

The Baroque Churches of the Philippines is a group of Spanish-era Churches in the Philippines inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list. It is composed of four Roman Catholic churches constructed between the 16th to 18th centuries and can be found in different areas of the country: two in the Ilocos Region (Luzon Island), one in the National Capital Region (Intramuros, Manila) and one in the Visayan Island of Panay, in Iloilo.

This group of churches is a fine example of the fusion of European and Indigenous Filipino church design and construction. Church designs was adapted to the physical condition in the Philippines of which the following are prominent characteristics: 1. large buttresses that could withstand earthquake or heavy storms; 2. indigenous motiffs such as plants (papaya, coconut, palm trees) or traditional clothing (as worn by saints depicted in the churches facade); 3. squat, monumental, massive and fortress like appearance (in response to pirates/marauders during the time the churches was built.) 

As a travel blogger, it is a feat for me to be able to visit all these magnificent heritage structures at last! Join me in my trip to my past as I recount my experience in visiting all four churches.

CHURCH OF SAN AGUSTIN (Paoay, Ilocos Norte)

Date Visited : April 14, 2009

During : Bulacan Polytechnic College Ilocos Tour

Nearby Tourist Spots : Paoay Lake, Malacanang Palace of the North

This is the very first church I have visited among the four. I was part of the school tour that time, and not yet a travel blogger. When it was time for me to take a picture of the church, my camera suddenly went dead and I just took a picture of the church with my phone camera and that explains why the picture is somewhat blurred and not crispy clear. 

Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte.

Paoay Church Marker.

CHURCH OF NUESTRA SENORA DE LA ASUNCION (Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur)

Date Visited : June 15, 2013

During : San Josenyong Gala's Abra-Ilocos Sur Townhopping

Nearby Tourist Spots : Narvacan Church, Vigan City

It took me four years before I was able to visit the second church. As part of my Abra-Ilocos Sur townhopping, Santa Maria Church didn't fail me. When I saw it, I was just astounded and took many minutes just appreciating its beauty and architecture. Nearby are few Spanish era houses which I was also able to visit and appreciate. 

Santa Maria Church. Ilocos Sur.

Santa Maria Church Marker

CHURCH OF SANTO TOMAS DE VILLANUEVA (Miag-ao, Iloilo)

Date Visited : August 30, 2013

During : San Josenyong Gala's Panay Island Tour

Nearby Tourist Spots : San Joaquin Church, San Joaquin Cemetery Chapel, Iloilo City

I was able to visit the third church just two months after visiting the second. Now, this church is what you call amazing! Among all the four churches, I find Miag-ao's church facade as the most intricate, beautiful and interesting. For me, it looks more like a castle than a church with it's large buttresses as well as massive bases of bell tower.

Miag-ao Church. Iloilo.

Miag-ao Church Marker

CHURCH OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (Intramuros, Manila)

Date Visited: September 8, 2013

During : Manila Food Tour with Newly Met Travel Bloggers

Nearby Tourist Spots : Intramuros, Manila City

It maybe ironic but yes, the nearest one to us from our home in San Jose del Monte is in fact, San Agustin Church, but it was actually the last one I have visited among the four! I had the opportunity to visit San Agustin Church when a newly-met travel blogger, Jerson Jaya of Lonely Travelogues, invited me to a food tour in Manila with some other bloggers. I immediately grabbed the opportunity, thus, being able to see the church for the first time. 

I was a bit disappointed upon seeing the church because as it was the oldest in Luzon Island, I was expecting an ancient but majestic looking church. But what I saw was a renovated and obviously modernized church facade with plaster finishing, not reminiscent of a 4-century church.

San Agustin Church. Intramuros, Manila.

San Agustin Church Marker

If I would have to rank them from which I was most fascinated to the least, I would choose Miag-ao Church, followed by Paoay Church then Santa Maria Church and finally, San Agustin Church. But I know that ranking is truly meaningless because all these four churches has and will always be part of the nation's history and are standing testament to the belief, culture and artistry of the Filipino nation.

How about you? Any plans of visiting all these UNESCO Sites in the future? 

Share your thoughts about them by commenting below... :)