The province of Antique, a long sliver of land and mountains by the sea stretching from one end to the other, at the western side has, at its tail end, a beautiful Spanish colonial era church, probably the only intact one in Antique. Made from cut coral stones, it has interesting details at its facade, a wide front dominated with large acacia trees while its kumbento is found a few meters at its right.
Saravia’s old cemetery is still intact with its chapel and portions of the perimeter fence, all made from bricks. Entrance to the area is through a simple arch with a still original but already bent metal gate.
Compared with the elaborate cemetery chapels of Iloilo like in Cabatuan, Saravia’s cemetery chapel is a simple brick construction found at the back end of the cemetery square. It consists of a simple arched entrance and two side windows all with metal grills. Decorative elements are limited to the simple columns that tend to fade into the background.
A beautiful structure just along the highway of Saravia (now E. B. Magalona), Negros Occidental. Built by the Augustinian Recollects, this was made with mortar and bricks and is still complete with its chapel, niches, arch and perimeter fence with beautiful iron grills.
The first time I saw this cemetery entrance when I visited the Roxas City in Capiz, I was awed by its elegance and size. It is huge compared with the others that I have seen to date and one of the most beautiful in the country.
At the old Catholic cemetery or camposanto in Roxas City is a beautiful antique octagonal structure that dates back to the Spanish colonial era. The cemetery chapel, built at the center, is made from cut coral stones with simple decorations.