SubscribeDeath in Stone: Relieves of old cemeteries in Cebu
A skeleton with a staff and an hourglass carved at the pediment of Calamba (Cebu City) mortuary chapel built in 1863
Cebu doesn’t have the impressive colonial era cemeteries of Iloilo. There’s no ornate polygonal cemetery chapels like that of San Joaquin, Cabatuan and Janiuay. However, it does have its own surprises that would also delight lovers of these heritage structures.
Having gone around these areas for a few years now, I can’t help but notice the carved relieves of skull and cross bones lining the walls or skeletons, perhaps representing Death, carrying a staff and an hourglass decorating the pediment of the cemetery chapel. These two are quite common.
These cemeteries were built in the 19th century and those that are featured here are found in Cebu City and in the southern towns of Oslob and Boljoon which were under the Augustinian Order. In the north, I haven’t found these yet except remnants of walls. There are also relieves found in a few other towns but usually these are just skull and cross bones.
Unfortunately, like the fortifications that still exists in this island province, these are in bad condition and are in danger of crumbling to oblivion.
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- A skeleton with a staff and an hourglass carved at the pediment of Calamba (Cebu City) mortuary chapel built in 1863
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- Skull and crossbones with text “RIP” and “1870″ as finial of entrance arch to cemetery, Oslob
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- Skull and crossbones medalion atop the entrance stone arch, Calamba, Cebu City
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- Skull with sword, wings and branch with leaves atop the mortuary chapel entrance, Argao
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- Skull with staff and hourglass as finial of mortuary chapel pediment, Oslob
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- Skull and crossbones at facade of mortuary chapel, Calamba, Cebu City
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- Skull and crossbones at base of cross, Ginatilan
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- Skull and crossbones medalion at mortuary chapel facade, Calamba, Cebu City
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- Skeleton with staff and hourglass located at the top of the entrance arch, Boljoon
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 will be 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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what is the significance of that sculpture in the catholic doctrine? coz, i have observed that it is found mostly in catholic cemeteries, or shall i say what does it symbolizes?
Hi Sherwin, it just reminds the faithful about the afterlife. In some cemeteries in Panay Island, there are even inscriptions that when translated means: “Today it is us, tomorrow it will be you.”
This is so interesting… Allow me to “interpret” some. The staff on the reliefs of Calamba, Boljoon and Oslob could mean the journey of men in this temporary life. The Calamba relief is holding an hour glass which means time is running out for everyone. For those of Boljoon and Oslob, it could indeed be a chalice which would refer to Christian communion. This has reference to the cemetery as a camposanto or “field of saints.” During the Spanish times, no one could be buried within the camposanto without the benefit of a Christian blessing so those who did not receive one would be buried outside the cemetery.
Nindot kaayo ni Estan.
thank you bai
I just hope naa pa daghan mga old cemetery in Cebu. I just fear that most have been destroyed already.
my first time here. congrats for having a very informative site. i hope u can feature those magnificient church frescoes. and this is a bit out of the format, but i really wish somebody would write anything about old arch bridges. keep it up!
elias, if it has anything to do about colonial era churches, it will be included here
as for the old arch bridges, hmmm, it would be interesting. have you seen the del castillo-noche exhibit before at the glorieta? it was all about these heritage bridges. i also have one, from dupax but it won’t fit in this blog.
Skulls and bones are consistent elements of the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tradition of Mexico. During Spanish times, the Philippines and Mexico were twin colonies. The Manila Galleons didn’t just bring home goods and spices from Spanish Mexico; we “imported” a lot of their ideas and practices as well.
@estan… ive heard about that photo exhibit of bridges before, but too bad i live far from manila. im cebu based, i hope somebody could bring those heritage exhibits here.
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The Author
An inveterate traveler, I have gone around the islands and marveled at the still extant religious heritage structures in the country.
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