
Close up of the original wall that remains of the gothic church destroyed by the earthquake of 5 January 1948
At the far left end of the present structure is a huge balete tree wherein a grotto is constructed. Upon close inspection, amidst the roots of the tree, are huge blocks of coral stones stacked on top of each other, forming a wall. This is no other than the remnants of the original structure.
At the opposite end, at the far right side of the present church is also a shallow protrusion of stacked coral stone slabs beside the national highway. I presume that this was part of the original walls of the church complex. When I saw these two structures, ruins, I just felt a sense of awe and sadness that one of the country’s unique and beautiful church is gone forever.
- Close up of the original wall that remains of the gothic church destroyed by the earthquake of 5 January 1948
- At the far left side of the current church is a grotto where remnants of the walls of the massive church remains
- Probably portions of the original church complex wall located at the far right of the present church.
- Walls of the original structure that is now part of the grotto
- Present church of Oton, a far cry from the massive and beautiful gothic church destroyed by a 1948 earthquake

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