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Details of pediment: left, the symbol of the trinity; middle, a statue of the patron saint; right, the balustrade located at the open terrace
The embelishments on the facade are subtle that a casual observer might fail to notice it from a distance. One of the striking decoration is the triangle found just below the statue of the patron saint, St. Therese of Avila. Representing the Trinity, it has 40 rays emanating from it. I …
The church of Talisay City in Cebu
The city of Talisay, located around 12 kilometers south of Cebu City at the eastern side of this island province, was formerly an estate or hacienda of the Augustinians and was a visita of San Nicolas. As early as 1589, the first recorded rebellion in Cebu happened here when land was acquired by a Spanish colonist and angered a few Cebuanos who then rebelled but were swiftly quelled, executed and their possessions sold at auction.
During the 19th century, it was separated from its San …
Left, niches; middle, detail of brickwork; right, detail of column
The back end of the camposanto is a wall filled with niches. During the colonial era, families of stature are interred here while the general public were buried at the grounds. The material used is not only limestone blocks but also bricks which form the frame of the niche as well as at the top portion of the columns. The capital are tuscan but some are already missing.
Like in other camposantos, these niches are rented out for a couple of years. …
The Cabatuan cemetery capilla: front, right and back views.
The cemetery capilla or chapel is octagonal in form with three gated entrances. It is found at the center of the camposanto grounds just like in Miag-ao and San Joaquin, this province. Unlike in Dalaguete and Argao in Cebu and EB Magalona in Negros Occidental which are located at the back, connected to the perimeter wall.
Facade decorations: left, a highly stylized skull and crossbones; right, weblike floral relief.
The three arched entrances of the cemetery of Cabatauan, Iloilo.
Entrance into the cemetery is via three stone archways conveniently distanced, about a few meters from each other. All have the same design from the iron cross, the floral motif, down to the columns, lunettes and gate. A pair of urn like finials used to decorate the sides of the top arch. Now, only on finial remains which can be found at the right arch.
Left, the now discolored limestone blocks; middle, the back of the archway; right, lateral view of the …
The octagonal capilla of the Cabatuan cemetery. The camposanto of Cabatuan is one of the country’s well maintained and artistic cemeteries, one of a few extant structures that have survived in Iloilo province. It is located along the highway, just a few kilometers before the massive and equally beautiful brick church in this municipality.
I’m not sure when this was exactly built as there are no markers found unlike in the cemeteries of Pototan, San Joaquin and Janiuay, all in the same province. However, Marie Joy Rosal-Sumagaysay, in her paper (under …
Below is the list of churches covered in the book Angels in Stone:
Metro Manila
San Agustin, Guadalupe, Tondo, Malabon, Ermita de Mandaluyong*, Navotas, Malate, Paranaque, Pasig, Beaterio de Pasig, Pateros, and Taguig
Laguna
San Pablo de los Montes (now San Pablo City)
Batangas
Batangas City, San Jose, Ibaan, Cuenca, Lipa, Tanauan, Talisay*, Bauan, Taal, Caysasay, and Lemery
Bulacan
Calumpit, Bulacan*, Guiguinto, Malolos, Sta. Isabel, Barasoain, Paombong, Hagonoy, Pulilan, Baliwag, Angat, Bustos, Plaridel, Balagtas, San Rafael, and San Miguel de Mayumo
Pampanga
Lubao, Betis, Macabebe, Candaba, Bacolor, Mexico, Arayat, Guagua, Sexmoan (now Sasmuan), Porac, Apalit, Magalang, Minalin, …
My name is Estan Cabigas and I am a religious colonial architecture enthusiast.
An inveterate traveler, I have gone around the islands and marveled at the still extant religious heritage structures in the country.
More about the author and this blog.