Ten exceptional and poorly known Spanish colonial era cemetery chapels that are still existing in the Philippines scattered in Luzon and the Visayas.

It is not known when the old cemetery of Anini-y in Antique, just at the side of the main road and a few kilometers from the town center, was built but the design is the same with the neighboring town of Tobias Fornier (formerly Dao).

Probaly a beautiful structure at its heyday, the cemetery entrance arch and walls in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, has fallen into disrepair and neglect.

Simbahan reader Handel Advento sent in pictures he took of the Oton cemetery chapel before it was renovated in October 1997.

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.

While on my way to take a photo of Dumalag Church in Capiz, I was able to pass by the beautiful cemetery located at the south of the present church and along the highway. What made this a discovery was that, it is the third circular cemetery that I’ve seen, bounded by a wall made from cut stone, an entrance gate with arch and a ruined chapel at the other end.

Located less than a kilometer from the church grounds and ruins of Oton in Iloilo is the old Catholic cemetery of the municipality. Lacking the artistry and sophistication when compared with the other chapels in the province, it is a simple structure

The town of Bogo is located near the northern end of Cebu Island and is a major economic hub in this part of the province. While the original church built by the Seculars is no longer standing at the main plaza (the present one was built after the war at an elevated area), there is one surprising find at the cemetery.

From the collection of archival photos of the San Agustin Museum courtesy of Fr. Pedro Galende, three old photos of the beautiful Cabatuan cemetery are featured here. Above, is the capilla or chapel sans the vegetation that now blocked the view from the entrance. This chapel has the most stylized skull and crossbone bas relief in the country.

Like most old churches in the country, one can find many tombs of notable people of the town inside Carcar Church. Creepy as it may sound but it has been the practice especially for those individuals and their families who contributed greatly to the church through it’s construction or donated something for the church’s use.

The Catholic cemetery in Carcar is the oldest cemetery in the municipality. I haven’t got information when this was constructed but it might be 19th century as it is located far from the current church, following the decree of King Charles IV in 1787. It is still in use with modern niches tightly crowding any available space. It might have lost it’s original chapel but there are still remnants of the perimeter fence.