Pre-Holy Week Visita Iglesia: Molo Church

" The Molo exudes a blatant expression of Gothic-Renaissance architecture, the one of its kind outside Manila. The interior is a fusion of Gothic and Romanesque architectures, there is a constant alternation between the overpowering features of Gothic and the recessive characteristics of Romanesque." - Explore Iloilo

One sunny morning after my exciting road trip to San Joaquin, I took a jeep to Molo to visit the "feminist church", the Church of Saint Anne.  This is the nearest church with significant historical value other than the cathedral in Jaro. It was a quick trip before checking out and leaving Iloilo with so much more to see.

In honor of Saint Anne, the church was known to be a feminist church because of the two rows of sixteen female saints lined on both sides of the altar. These saints are Sta. Marcela, Apolonia, Genoveva, Isabel, Felicia, Ines, Monica, Magdalena, Juliana, Lucia, Rosa de Lima, Teresa, Clara, Cecilia, Margarita and Marta.

Sixteen female saints, one on each pillar

 The Church's interior was simple.  It was not as ornate compared to some other house of worships I've been to.

A statue of the church's patroness, St. Ana, is housed in the retablo, along with statues of the Blessed Virgin and the Holy Trinity.

Murals and other paintings adorn the walls and ceiling of the church.  Mariano Mabunay and Jesue Huervas were commissioned to paint the murals in the church's interior, which depict the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ.

Underneath the Church's dome ceiling.

The baptismal chamber

When I arrived, there were a number of people gathering in and out of the church. I thought there was a mass so I hesitated because I might be disturbing the celebration.  Later, I realized that the people were waiting for the baptismal ceremony to commence.

One of the two beautifully crafted pulpits.

The parish priest usually delivers the gospel in a pulpit where he can see the entire church and all its attendees. I can only see these structures in old churches these days.  The modern church structure no longer replicate this traditional spot. The pulpits (there is one on each side) in St. Anne is beautifully preserved.

Typically, the church should have a plaza or a park and I find the one outside the church of St. Anne relaxing.  It is cool underneath the shade of large trees and the presence of well maintained vegetation.

Before I get to disturb the upcoming ceremony, I made a silent prayer for my safe flight back to Manila and an opportunity to go back and explore the rich culture there is in Iloilo.

Pre-Holy Week Visita Iglesia: Miag-ao Church

I was beginning to worry "big time" when all the jeeps passing by the waiting shed were south bound and nothing was heading back to the city. At nearly four  in the afternoon, the sun was still unforgiving while the ground was doing great in reflecting the golden rays. Soaking in sweat I patiently waited while trying to find a signal for my mobile phone. A bus stopped and I looked at the sign with disinterest (knowing that it's going some place else) and voila! -- A bus going to Iloilo City!

I took the ordinary bus.  I was standing on the aisle near the door.  I didn't care if I get thrown in all direction.  I made sure that my feet was firmly planted on the floor.  It's really not easy with a tripod on one hand and a camera bag dangling.  The bus was packed and it's speeding like a roller coaster on the road! I only paid P15 from San Joaquin to Miag-ao, my next destination.

Miag-ao Church before sunset

The Church of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva is an Agustinian-built church and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mainly in Baroque style, it has a local feel due to the bas-relief (coconut tree) facade and the materials used.  It is made of carbonaceous limestone of soft yellow ochre color indigenous to the area. 

If the sun in San Joaquin was unforgiving, the clouds in Miag-ao couldn't hold their tears. It was cloudy and drizzling.

Miag-ao Church is one of the most amazing house of worship I have seen so far.  The artistic reliefs with Pinoy influence while the western grandeur blends in the yellowish color.  The sunset would have made it gold and glowing if it wasn't for the sad weather.

before the rain

Historical Marker

The rain kept me from taking more shots. I wish I could have stayed longer.  When I get back to Iloilo, I will certainly visit Miag-ao Church again.  This time I will take more pictures and will try to get in.