SubscribeBelfry and bells of Aniniy Church
Detail of the main inscriptions of the primary bell of Anini-y Church baptized with its patron saint
Upper portion of Anini-y Church belfry
The belfry of Anini-y church consists of three tiers with a quadrilateral base and the remaining two tiers octagonal and capped with a dome. It is located at the right side of the facade and is attached to the church. It is a simple structure with the details only limited to decorative columns, finials at each corner and dentils along the margin of the tiers and, from afar, looks imposing, looming over the facade. There are windows at each level but not at all sides.
Entrance is via a steel staircase inside the church which is just beside the entrance to the baptistry but seem unstable as it wobbles when one is at the top flight. The original entrance was accessed through the choirloft which is now missing.
The belfry is made from coral stones. This is much evident when one comes up the stairs. There are exposed mamposteria while some surfaces have been covered with cut coral stones including the barrel vault leading to the landing. The window facing the front has been added with a grill
The original wooden staircase is gone except for a piece that is still attached to the wall. Instead, it now has a free standing steel spiral staircase with a cement base leading to the next level where the bells are located.
There are a total of five bells in Anini-y Church, with some, having been recast sometime in 1986 with their esquilas (wooden counterweights for bells that are rotated) scattered at the back of the presybtery.
Bell 1. San Juan de Nepomuceno. Remaining original bell dedicated to the patron saint and is now placed at the floor of the church with the following details:
30 @ 18 lbs
DEDICACADA A S. JUAN NEPOMUCENO
SIENDO CURA PARROCO DE ESTE PUEBLO DE ANINI EL R.P.F. BERONIMO VAQUERIN
ANO 1898
H SUNICO Y HOS JOABONEROS 50 (this is the famous foundry of Hilario Sunico who supplied many bells and window grills in many churches around the country)
Bell 2. No inscriptions
Bell 3. Paris8h of San Juan Nepomuceno
Anini-y, Antique
ALBEMI
P.C. ARISTOZA METAL CRAFT, CADIZ CITY, NEG. DEL NORTE
Bell 4. Same with Bell 2 but additional inscription of Potenciana
Bell 5. 20 @ 18 lbs
ANO DE 1897
FUNDICION DE H SUNICO Y HOS
JABONEROS 50
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- Detail of the main inscriptions of the primary bell of Anini-y Church baptized with its patron saint
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- Full view of the primary bell
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- Detail of primary bell showing make: from the Hilario Sunico and Sons foundry
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- Upper portion of Anini-y Church belfry
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- Belfry dome with a congregation of bats
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- Quadrilateral base of belfry with dentils and finial
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- Column with dentils at dome part of belfry
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- Column detail of Octagonal belfry, second tier
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- Crack on one side of the quadrilateral base
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- Bare wall of mamposteria with remaining part of original wooden staircase
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- Bell counterweights or esquilas scattered on the floor behind the presbytery. These are originals which were replaced with steel after recast
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- Stonework and walling of passageway from nave to belfry
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- Modern stairway going to the upper tier of belfry where the bells are located
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- Detail of 1897 bell with an unusually etched Hilario Sunico and Sons foundry
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- Portion of the upper tier of belfry with the bells
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- 1986 Recast bell from the original 19th century done by a Negros Occidental foundry
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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