It had been raining days before our travel so we kept praying for a better weather so we can enjoy the trip and push through with the plans. The rain kept on going but it did not dampen our travel gusto. And by the way, the continuous rain did not mean our prayers weren't answered. Yes! All these trips took place under a gloomy, rainy weather. But as to why the sun shines every time we come out of a restaurant, or get off a jeepney to visit a place, or walk on the road to find directions, or when the plane takes off and lands, is another story.
It almost seemed like the sun comes out so bright when we need it and the rain showers when we rest, eat and sleep. Talk about God's grace!
Iloilo City is a home to so many Catholic churches of aesthetic glory. We have gone to some of them. Here they are:
1. San Joaquin Church
This church looks a bit simple from afar. But if you look closely at the intricate details of its carves, you'll be amazed at its art and value.
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| San Joaquin Church |
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| San Joaquin Church |
Next time, I'll make sure we pass by San Joaquin Cemetery too. Heard it's a beautiful one. A cemetery is one of my favorite photography subjects. Now, this can be a reason to go back!
2. Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church of Miag-ao
Even before we came up with the list of places to visit, I already took a mental note that this is one place I want to see. To be honest, I imagined flags and trumpets the first time I saw this. It looks like a castle.
We entered from the side gate of the church and was already blown away by its beauty. My kit lens couldn't get the whole view of the church. Too bad!
From the entrance you will read about Miag-ao Church as being one of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The other baroque churches are San Agustin Church in Manila, Santa Maria Church in Ilocos Sur and San Agustin Church in Paoay. I have been to three of them and realizing this makes me to want to complete the list. Holler, my travel buddies! In for another travel series?
Here's some more you may want to know about this elegant historical church.
3. Jaro Cathedral (National Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles)
This church captures you at first sight with its architectural style.
This church is also famous for its resident, The Lady of the Candles who is believed to be miraculous by its devotees. It is said to be growing continuously that it had to be transferred to a bigger space.
Another amazingly bizarre about this church is its bell tower which is located across the street and not beside it. It was said that the belfry was actually of another (destroyed by earthquake) and not the Cathedral's.
Here's a view of the bell tower found across the street.
And here's a view we took from the Cathedral overlooking the busy street and the beautiful bell tower.
4. Molo Church or Chuch of St. Anne
Gothic! You'll know from a distance. Am not very good at identifying architectural styles but I always fall in love with it when I travel. This photo cannot justify its real beauty. I was hoping to see this at night all lit up. I am sure it looks fantastic! I later found out that it is the only Gothic church outside Manila.
We didn't get to see the inside of the church but a local told us that this a house to life-size female saints.
In front of the church is a plaza where we sat to get a good look of the church. If it wasn't raining, I'd probably see families, children playing, mamang sorbetero, balloon and cotton candy vendors etc. Looks like a scene from a primetime telenovela.
5. Guimbal Church
I hurried to get this shot. It was raining and the moment it stopped to pave way for a little sunshine, I took this shot. It looked like it didn't even rain. Magical? ...nah!
Aside from the good line up of churches, we also got to tour the City and visited the following:
1. Museo Iloilo
We were here too early so we didn't get a chance to see what's inside.
2. Iloilo Provincial Capitol
3. A view of the whole city through the Aduana Tower found in Iloilo's Bureau of Customs Building. It took us time to find this tower because we didn't know from which building we can find it. Grateful to the officers-in-charge of the Bureau of Customs who even escorted us in going halfway up. The stairs are too steep that it is dangerous to have too many people up.
By the time we got up, my hands were too dirty, my body all sweat and my hair everywhere. But boy! It was all worth it!
Here are panoramic views from the tower.
4. A view of the Divine Mercy Cross of Garin Farm.
On our way to San Joaquin Church, a local suggested we drop by Garin Farm. We almost did. But we got a good view of its Divine Mercy cross. You may check their website if you are interested to go through the 456-step pilgrimage or just enjoy the farm can offer.
5. Iloilo's Passad
Another addition to my RIDE series (Wait for another entry showing this series), is an experience with Iloilo's major means of transportation, Passad. See this link for a better look. . It's their version of Manila's jeepney with a sedan-like look.
We are not leaving Iloilo without trying its cuisine. We went to the following places:
1. Ted's La Paz Oldtimer Batchoy
Read this link for the whole story.
2. Dulgies
Read this link for the whole story.
3. Perri Todd's
We fought Iloilo's biggest burger! Read more from this link.
4. Biscocho House
A stop to buy pasalubong from the Biscocho House. We have a long list of requests from friends and families.
5. Sari-sari Breadstore
You will find them everywhere. They also have their own version of the famous pastries and breads you will find in Biscocho, only more affordable. We had stopped by and experienced their breakfast and got this hot choco from the coffee vending machine (something also famous in Manila).
Iloilo seem to be booming with a lot of bakeries that offer a lot of sweet choices. Some are famous like Biscocho, JD, Wewins, Carlo's, Panaderia de Molo, Merci, Tibiao's and a lot more; some are mere holes in the walls but I bet each has a story to tell and bread to brag about.
6. The first branch of Inasal
We just had to be here for documentation purposes, but don't worry, we didn't eat here. :) Inasal is everywhere in Manila.
7. Fiesta
The only open restaurant when we dropped by Robinson's for a pre-flight breakfast.
8. Bibingka
A bibingka we bought while walking and looking for a place to have lunch.I regretted that I didn't take a photo of how it is made.
You can find them being sold in the streets especially near churches.
What a trip?! Right?
If you are expecting to see Guimaras photos, am sorry you won't. We didn't push through Guimaras because of the continuous rain. We decided to tour Iloilo City instead.
What's amazing about this trip? Not going to Guimaras or not being able to dip ourselves in a beach did not make the trip less exciting even for just a bit. We didn't even feel like we are missing something. It was a complete trip.
I mentioned in one of our many conversations during this trip how I think trips like this make me a seasoned traveler. You don't stay in a very nice hotel. You move from one place to another the same way as the locals do.
You mingle with the locals and get their expertise in many things especially directions. You enjoy the food they enjoy. You learn from their ways and their history.
You set aside your beliefs and open yourself to what they think.
This photo below is with Tita Belle, a local. We met her in Jaro Cathedral while I was taking a photo of the Jaro street. She couldn't get her eyes off my green bag. She called my attention to talk about my bag. Until she could no longer stop talking about her hometown, Jaro church, her devotion to the saints and her gratefulness that we decided to visit Iloilo. I am not Catholic but I was amazed by the devotion and faith she has. We couldn't let go of each other as she would always come up with a new story just when we are about to say goodbye. She forgot about my bag; and now that I think about it, maybe she really just wanted to talk to us. It was obvious we weren't from there.
Before we parted, she gave us the warmest Iloilo hugs and kisses.
How they say 'Lugar lang' (their version of Manila's para po) stayed like a sweet song to our ears even after we left the place.
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If you wish to visit Iloilo and enjoy what it can offer, you may visit my friend's site through this link to get travel tips, suggested itinerary, guides and directions.
Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan!
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