I’m showing my images of the North Cebu churches that are part of the photo exhibit Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu. These are just 14 out of 50 photographs that have been especially selected for this show and covers different generations from Spanish colonial era structures in the 18th century, 19th century American colonial period to modern 20th century edifices.

Below is Jobers Bersales’ article at Cebu Daily News on the Balaanong Bahandi photo exhibit that appeared today entitled “Showcasing, publishing sacred treasures.”

To mark the Diamond Jubilee of the Archdiocese of Cebu, the Cathedral Museum of Cebu and the Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church will soon launch the book Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

I first came across this wonderful exhibit, Hidden Treasures of the Philippines, A Photo Exhibit of Vintage Churches at the Ortigas Foundation Library while online and it was just past noon today that I have finally visited it. If you’re in Manila, now, you should catch it as it will end by next week, third week of June.

Great Churches of the Philippines by Pedro Galende, OSA and Rene Javellana, SJ is one of those books that you just have to get, pour over and read again and again. A lightweight tome that presents these architectural gems with its distinct Philippine style in a new light: beautiful pictures with short but concise text.

Barrio Inayagan in Barangay Valladolid is the former site of the visita of Salug. In 1622, Muslim slave raiders destroyed it forcing the people to transfer inland where the present town center of Carcar is now located. While there are no longer any trace of the structures, archaeological excavations found segments of walls.

Salug continues to live in the memories of the people as Barrio Inayagan is also known as Daanglungsod or the old town.

The kumbento of Carcar Church is one of the biggest in the province of Cebu. It was also one of the richest. Unfortunately, the interior today is just a shadow of it’s former self when church items were sold by a parish priest during his incumbency between the 80s and 90s. But one can still see beautiful ceiling and wall paintings as well as sala embellishments inside.

The kumbento of Carcar Church is one of the biggest in Cebu, a testament to its wealth in a prosperous town. The masonry and wood structure was built, probably around 1885, during the term of Fr. Mauel Fernandez Rubio, an Augustinian friar who has done much for the town.

Behind the presbytery is Carcar Church’s sacristy. It’s spacious and almost bare that one’s eyes notice immediately the lengthy antique cabinet/table between the two doors that opens to the main altar. Wide windows give ample lighting as the musty coral walls give an old feel to it. At the back, a wide, wooden and rickety staircase leads to the attic that serves as the church’s storeroom.

Inside Carcar Church are still several interesting details that would easily catch a visitor’s eye. There are angel relieves done in different generations, heavy stations of the cross to beautiful octagonal marble water fonts.

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.

In most old churches in the Philippines, the choirloft is situated at the far end of the church and just above the main portal. Carcar Church is no exception. Entrance is through a flight of wooden stairs at it’s left. A close inspection of the walls near these steps indicate a previous installation that shows a direct ascent up. Today, one negotiates a total of three flights.

Carcar Church is one of a few simbahan in Cebu that still has its pulpit intact. Like it’s simple neoclassic façade, it echoes the architectural style and you’ve got an unassuming woodpiece that nevertheless, stands out from the whitewashed walls

Of all the churches in Cebu, Carcar Church differs for it’s breathtaking coffered ceiling at the lateral naves. The series of patterns done in wood looks simple but upon close inspection, the intricacy is stunning. Despite its simple and almot bare façade, the details on the ceiling does give a pleasant surprise to the visitor.