Chinese fu dogs/lions guard the portals and the patio of San Agustin: four located at the facade with one (not shown) have a broken part of the head, and two at the front entrance of the low fence around the patio. One figure is holding its baby while two other figures seem to be playing and holding a ball. These are interesting since these are clearly Chinese in origin but is part of a Christian religious structure.

There are only a few churches left in the country that still have these. To cite: Tayabas in Quezon and Sto. Nino and the Cebu Cathedral in Cebu. The same blend of the oriental and the occidental has been shown previously in the post about the facistol and misericordias.

One other notable element found at the patio is the low fence surrounding it. It is made of adobe blocks and bricks. The right angled style is not so common but can be seen in other churches like in Samboan, Danao, Ginatilan and Oslob in Cebu; San Vicente in Ilocos Sur; Piddig in Ilocos Norte. In most other churches where the original fence is still existing, these are of the wavy style like those found in Tumauini in Isabela; Argao in Cebu; Lucban in Quezon.

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Estan Cabigas is a multiawarded blogger and freelance photographer based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. He has writtten for CNN Go and his photograph was published in the May 2010 issue of the National Geographic Magazine.

To know more about him and his photography, visit estancabigas.com.

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