I’ve always been fascinated with the all-steel structure of the San Sebastian Minor Basilica in Quiapo, Manila and when the opportunity came to document it inside and out, I grabbed it.

A free downloadable and printable PDF guide is now available for those who would want to do the traditional visita iglesia in Cebu! This freebie features 28 still existing Spanish colonial era churches in this historic island province, the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines, either wholly built or with it’s façade intact.

This is the fifth installment of my Visita Iglesia series focusing on the southwestern churches of Cebu that are still standing in the province. This part features Samboan, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Badian, Moalboal and Dumanjug.

This is the fourth installment of my Visita Iglesia series focusing on the northern churches that are still standing in the province. This part features the churches of Catmon, Sogod, San Remegio, Daan Bantayan and Bantayan

This is the third installment of my Visita Iglesia series focusing on the northern churches that are still standing in the province. This part features the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the churches of Liloan Compostela, Danao and Poro in Camotes.

A free downloadable and printable PDF guide is now available for those who would want to do the traditional visita iglesia in Manila! This freebie features the remaining eight still existing Spanish colonial era churches in the historic city, either wholly built or with it’s façade intact.

A few kilometers from the poblacion of Nasugbu, Batangas, in the town of Lumangbayan, aptly named as this translates to “old town” which is the original location of Nasugbu, is a Spanish colonial period church ruin that is still being used by devotees today. However, it was in this church that many of the townspeople were imprisoned and burned in 1896.

The interior of Caraga Church has been much renovated that there are no longer traces of the old, except for the hardwood posts and lateral walls. The old and dilapidated retablos were replaced with new ones during preparations for its centennial celebrations.

There are only three bells dated 1802, 1893 and 1895 remaining in the church of Caraga, Davao Oriental and these might have been placed at the top of the pediment. Now, all of these are just placed on the floor.

Caraga Church in Davao Oriental is a quadrilateral structure that is sparsely decorated. The lower level is made of mamposteria or rubble/stones with some parts finished with finely cut coral. There are only quite a few architectural details that might be interesting.

The town of Caraga in Davao Oriental has the distinction of having the oldest Catholic structure in the island of Mindanao. It was built by Fr. Pablo Pastells in 1884 when the Jesuits took charge of the spiritual administration of the town in 1871 from the Recollects.

Balaanong Bahandi is your ultimate guide to the Archidocese of Cebu’s architectural heritage.

After much blood, sweat and tears, so to speak, our book, Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu will be launched formally today, 26 November 09, 1830H at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu. It is by invitation only.

During my revisit at the Oslob church, I was surprised that the unfinished cuartel was already cleaned up and light fixtures were already placed for spectacular lighting at night.

But what about these pink marble slabs used to patch up some gaps?

Nineteen months after the fire in Oslob Church, the second in its history, I visited the church again during a south Cebu trip and from what I have found, there is still so much to do.