The twin belfries of Carcar Church can be said as it's defining feature which is capped with minaret like domes.

Carcar Church is only one of three religious structures in Cebu that incorporates Muslim architectural features. The other two are the Basilica del Sto. Nino and Naga Church and were all built by the Augustinians. The minaret like domes capping the twin belfries of the facade is it’s defining feature though it is also paralleled, to some extent, by the one in Naga. Not many people have gone up these parts but for the curious, going through the narrow stone steps from the choirloft are in for a delightful surprise. Make that three surprises!

1 An old bell cast in 1810
Coming out from the dark and damp passageway into the right belfry, one is greeted by three bells of which the middle one suspended by ropes and vine stems is the biggest. Here, you will meet face to face with probably the oldest bell, with inscribed date of 1810 that predates this church (construction started in 1860); and the latest, cast in 1929.

2 An old mechanical clock
At the left are steps that leads out to the pediment where you will find the mechanical clock that is housed inside a covered space. This might still be the original one and is similar to what I have seen installed in Dalaguete (Cebu), Jimenez (Misamis Occidental) and Tayabas (Quezon) churches. Below this contraption, is a deep pit where the extended wire band of the clock hangs. By the way, I’m not sure what the correct term is.

The photos used in this series were taken between 2005 and 2008 as the author visits this church from time to time. Special thanx to Lorens Gibb Lapinid for the assistance in 2008.To reach the other belfry, one has to go down to the choirloft and follow the opposite passageway as the entry way at the side of the pediment has been blocked with coral stones. Going up to the left belfry, is the third surprise.

3 A pair of “bell hammers”
There are two bells in the left belfry and both were cast in 1880 and 1882 at the foundries of F. Pujades and Hilario Sunico, respectively. The latter has the most detailed inscriptions (below). What really surprised me here is the presence of a pedestal carrying a pair of “bell hammers.” Rusting and no longer in use, this is the second time I’ve seen this one, the other is in the ruined church of San Pablo in Isabela.

There you have it, the three surprises of the Carcar Church belfry.

Some observations:

• the dome of the belfries are made of bricks, just like in Talisay
• thinking out loud, can it be possible that the minaret like domes might have been used as a ruse for Muslim slave raiders? But 1860 – 1875 already saw peaceful seas with the raiders already suppressed
• I was impressed with the detail of the minaret like dome
• the belfries and pediment provides an impressive view of the town as well as the sea
• like many belfries across the country, graffitti is present

With this done, we are now ready to go inside the church.

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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