Iloilo Heritage Tour : San Joaquin Church and San Joaquin Cemetery

After the Visayas Blogging Summit and Philippine Blog Awards – Visayas, the Iloilo Bloggers Organization have organized a Heritage Tour of Iloilo for the bloggers to showcase the historical and cultural attractions of Iloilo City and Province.

The assembly area was at Museo Iloilo located at Bonifacio Drive, City Proper, Iloilo City (beside the Iloilo Provincial Capitol). After a few minutes of briefing and a few chitchats, we boarded our Starex-shaped jeepney and started the tour. The jeepneys in Iloilo features wide-bodies and streamlined designs with hoods copied from branded cars, pick-ups and vans. So If you go to Iloilo, stop your jaws from dropping if you see a jeepney looking like you neighbor’s expensive vehicle.

The San Joaquin Church was built in 1869, under the supervision of the Spanish priest Tomas Santaren. San Joaquin Church is made of limestones quarried from the mountains of Igbaras and white coral stones from the shores of San Joaquin. San Joaquin Church is located beside San Joaquin’s town plaza.

A very simple single-level church with a broad pediment and a single tapering bell tower, the militaristic-themed facade of San Joaquin Church distinguishes itself from other churches in the Country. Intricate sculptural details depicting the Spanish victory over Moroccan forces in the Battle of Tetuan are carved on the church’s facade. The title of the composition “Rendicion de Tetuan” (The Surrender of Tetouan) is carved at the base of carvings on the facade.

The San Joaquin Cemetery is located along the main highway in San Jaoquin Town. The construction od San Joaquin Cemetery was initiated by Fray Mariano Vamba, the last Augustinian parish priest of the town (a little history class for you) in 1892. 20 stone steps aftering entering the gate and you will be greeted by the Baroque designed mortuary chapel standing on the center. Never have I been in a cemetery as old and as beautiful as San Joaquin Cemetery. TheThe capilla also, known as “Campo Santo,” is made of coral rocks and baked bricks. you will be greeted by an iron gate.

I did not bother going up to see the details of the “Campo Santo” up close. With all the bloggers around, the was this eerie feeling in the place so I did not bother going up (yeah, I chickened out).

If only the National Historical Institute can also declare San Joaquin Cemetery as a National Cultural Treasures.

Next stop, Miagao Church and Molo Church.