Miag-ao Church

MIAG-AO CHURCH

The Miagao Roman Catholic Church in Miagao Town about 35 kilometers west of Iloilo City is one of the major highlights in going to Iloilo City and Province. The Church is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Unique Baroque Churches of the Philippines" in 1993. On the front facade of the Church, which is flanked by two watchtower belfries, one can see the unique blending of Spanish and native influences like the Coconut Tree and a bas relief of Saint Christopher. The church was made from limestone and local corals quarried from the sea. The church and its watchtowers were also built to defend the town and its people against raids by the Moros. It therefore has thick walls and, reportedly, secret passages. Indeed stretching along the Iloilo coast are defensive towers, but none that equal the size of the Miag-ao. It is because of this defensive purpose that it is sometimes referred to as the Miag-ao Fortress Church.

While waiting for hubby who was busy with his photography, I explored the compound of the church and discovered the side gate that led to the town Plaza. The Plaza had a statue of Dr. Jose Rizal, our National hero. There are flowering plants around the Plaza, giving it a lively character. I saw some locals strolling, perhaps to have a dose of the morning sun. There are concrete benches where one can sit while resting and looking at the flowers. I loved the whiff of the wind that swept my hair while I sat on one of the benches.

From my bench, I saw the waiting shed where locals patiently waited for the jeepney/bus going to Iloilo City. I noticed that jeepneys left only after being filled to capacity, while buses left immediately after a passenger went down/up.

The Miagao Church was such a sight to behold from the Plaza. You will have a different appreciation of the architectural details of the church from that perspective. The massive buttresses that supported the church and the belfry that once served as watch tower were really awesome.