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).

The construction of the original kumbento (parochial house) of Anini-y was continued by Fray Jeronimo Vaquerin when he arrived 1878 and finished it a year later. During World War II, it was almost totally destroyed and the current structure was built over the ruins.

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.

The baptistry of Anini-y Church is located at the base of the belfry with a vaulted stone ceiling made of corals. It has two large arched windows and the walls are a meter thick. When one enters the main portal, it is at the left through an arched entrance.

The interior of Anini-y Church is austere and lacking the rich details of some old churches like San Agustin.

Like most other churches in the country, the facade has a rectangular level topped with a triangular pediment. From a distance, it does look squat, just like most similar structures, but its linearity of design, well arranged details and clean divisions make it pleasant to the eyes.

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

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.

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.