Molo Church “The Feminist Church”

St. Anne Parish Church, generally known as Molo Church is probably the second most popular and visually artistic church in the Province of Iloilo after Miag-ao Church, which is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The Gothic designed church is located in the District of Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines. Coupled with the newly renovated Molo plaza, this place is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city. The Church was built under the supervision of Father Pablo Montaño in 1831. It was completed by Father Agapito Buenaflor under the direction of Don Jose Manuel Locsin. This European Gothic inspired church is very famous for its two pyramidal red spires. Just like most churches during that era, it was made from coral rocks and limestone, and they used egg white with sand to prop it all up since cement was not yet readily available at that time.

Muscovado Chimney in Mandurriao

Built in Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. In the 1980s, he was one of the Ilonggos who engaged on sugar production when the Province of Iloilo was a major producer of muscovado or brown sugar. He also cultivated a ten-hectare rice field and in time acquired the  neighboring fishponds.

Years later, taking advantage of the strong northeastern wind ideal for the formation of salt crystals, he ventured into salt-making. To produce salt known as “white gold”, he manufactured bricks for salt beds using clay from his rice field. The bricks were baked in a kiln he himself made. He also built a Chinese-inspired wooden contraption with multiple paddles that moved salt water up from the river and fishponds to the evaporator ponds and into the salt beds. This expertise was imitated by other salt-producing areas in the Visayas and as far as Mindoro. Salt trading was done in the Visayas and Minadanao region.

Port of Iloilo in Lapuz

The Port has been serving international shipping since at least 1855, handling sugar and fertilizer shipments for the international market. The opening of the Port of Iloilo to the world market on 29 September 1855 by Queen Isabella II of Spain, replaced the disappearing textile industry. When the Suez Canal opened in 1869, trade with the Europe, especially the United Kingdom, became much easier. Nicholas Loney, consul for the U.K., was particularly influential and Muelle Loney which is the quay that runs along the Iloilo River is named after him.

La Paz Church

The Nuestra Senora is housed in a beautiful church adorned with red bricks. What I really like about the facade is the Greek-style mural of a steady ship surrounded by leaves of olive and two doves – symbols used to denote the Our Lady’s title of peace and good voyage. Below the mural is a replica of the Lady’s image inside a Greek-influenced temple supported with Ionic columns (note that the base has Latin inscriptions); above the image is an inscription which reads “Parokya sg Nstra. Sra. De La Paz y Buen Viaje – 1870”. Instead of a cross, the center of the facade is topped by a stylized Chi-Rho symbol (note that the head of the letter P is styled like a fish which denotes the Christ’ symbolism and also its relation to the sea).

City Proper(Calle Real)

Calle Real (Royal Street in Spanish), officially named as J.M. Basa Street, is a historic street located in the old downtown district Iloilo City Proper of Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines.The street often referred to as the “Escolta of Iloilo“. It is home to several fine examples of historic luxury American era neoclassical, beaux-arts, and art deco buildings. The street has been famous since the Spanish Era. However, its importance has dwindled and the street has become less maintained; yet there have been efforts to revitalize the street which includes the restoration of the historic buildings along the street and beautification projects. Iloilo City Proper is one of the seven districts also known as the center or heart of Iloilo City. It received its present name from the province’s original Irong-Irong reference. Originally founded as La Punta, it was only inhabited in 1602 when Spanish and Chinese residents from Jaro and Molo expanded their territorial area.

Jaro Cathedral

Also known as the Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, the Jaro Cathedral was built in 1864, the year the district was named a diocese by Pope Pius IX, by order of Mariano Cuartero, first bishop of Jaro. Destroyed in the quake of January 1948 and restored by order of Jose Ma. Cuenco, first archbishop of Jaro in 1956. The cathedral’s style is basically Baroque, with the addition of Gothic elements over many renovations.This has been approved by the CBCP as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles.

Arevalo Church

The Arevalo Church, the home of the Image of Sto Nino De Arevalo, is placed at the middle of Plaza Villa. This is a unique feature considering almost all churches are separated from their plazas. It is of modern design since some part of the church were destroyed either by fire or by earthquakes. The altar is supported by Solomonic or helical columns which took inspiration from that at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. A large wooden cross with the image of the crucified Christ serves as the center piece of the altar. The image of Sto. Nino is found at the right side of the main altar, encased in glass and is flanked by angels made of wood at both sides. The church is a popular for weddings as well.