Antipolo Cathedral- Antipolo city in Rizal

Back to Main Page

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Spanish: Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje), also known as the Virgin of Antipolo (Filipino: Birhen ng Antipolo), is a 17th-century Roman Catholic brown wooden statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary venerated by Roman Catholics in the Philippines. The statue depicting the Immaculate Conception of Mary, is enshrined at the Antipolo Cathedral in the city of Antipolo in Rizal province.
On March 25, 1626, the galleon trading ship El Almirante left Acapulco, Mexico. On board was the newly appointed Governor of the Philippines Don Juan Niño de Tabora who brought with him the statue from Mexico. The new governor arrived on July 18, 1626. The statue was first taken to Saint Ignatius Church (Spanish: San Ignacio Church), the Jesuit church in Intramuros. When Governor Tabora died in 1632, the statue was donated to the Jesuits for enshrinement in the church of Antipolo in barangay Santa Cruz. During the construction of the church, the statue would allegedly disappear and later found on top of a Tipolo (breadfruit) tree (artocarpus incisa).
In 1639, the Chinese rose in revolt burning the Antipolo town and church. In fear that the statue would be destroyed, Governor Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera ordered the statue be transferred back to Cavite where it was temporarily venerated.
Don Sebastian ordered the statue removed in 1648, when it was transferred from its Cavite shrine and was shipped back to Mexico aboard the San Luis galleon. At the time, having a statue of a saint on the ship served as a patroness or protector of the Acapulco trade.
The statue crisscrossed the Pacific Ocean on Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade ships six times from 1648 to 1748 aboard the: San Luis — (1648–1649) Encarnacion — (1650) San Diego — (1651–1653)
San Francisco Javier — (1659–1662) Nuestra Señora del Pilar — (1663) San Jose — (1746–1748)

The cathedral's façade from the southwest

The cathedral's façade from the northwest

High altar, with the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage enshrined behind glass.

Stained glass windows above one of the main doors

Bas-relief in painted wood depicting the first arrival of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in the Philippines

Cathedra of the Bishop 

1. Old Churches in the Philippines

Sto. Niño Church - Poro, Camotes

Back to Main Page

Poro Church -founded on 1737---established as Parish church on 1847 under the advocacy of the Sto. Niño, but the church was constructed in 1849

Sto. Niño Church of Poro in Camotes Islands
Pre-Spanish Poro were settlements scattered (settlements known as Maktang, now Esperanza and Taganito today known as Tudela) all over the islands. The catalyst that would bring people together was the encouragement of the Church and the Alcalde of Cebu to assemble in what is the town today to fight the Moro raiders. Sometime in 1780, another turning point in Camotes history took place, a man named Panganuron (the town’s gorgeous falls is named after him) gathered all the tribes, this according to local historian is the first ever meeting of all the Poro inhabitants. He is credited to having unified the tribes which is now commemorated with Tagbo festival (tagbo meaning ‘coming together’). This remarkable union was celebrated as a community triumph, this event would also show that during those years the Poroanons were already deeply religious in the Catholic faith as celebrations was capped with the building of their first chapel.

The location where the church is located was preferred by the Jesuits who were in charged in converting the natives. The Spanish missionaries’ choice of location was inspired by its strategic advantages, one being the areas elevation which grants them with the benefit of seeing the Moro raiders before they even get close to their thriving Christian poblacion. Unlike most of the old churches of mainland Cebu, their Iglesia is not facing the sea; its façade faces the town where some colonial houses still exist (some sample if this old houses can still be found in Pilar, sadly in Poro’s poblacion there are very few standing).

The Nave of Sto. Niño Church of Poro in Camotes Islands

Historical Marker of Sto. Niño Church of Poro in Camotes Islands

1. Old Churches in the Philippines

Molo Church-Molo District of Iloilo City

Back to Main Page

The Church of St. Anne, commonly known as the Molo Church, is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Molo District of Iloilo City in the Philippines. The church is one of the most familiar landmarks and tourist attractions in the city.

Built in 1831, Molo Church stands as a reminder of Iloilo’s rich history and a monument for Ilonggo artistry. The church exudes a fusion of the overpowering features of Gothic and the recessive characteristics of Romanesque architectural styles.
The interior is rich in Gothic elements. There are five gothic altars which are made of wood while beautiful paintings dominate the walls. Female Saints Stand on each pillar and a pair of interestingly decorated pulpits contrast the entire structure. The Spires of Molo are yet the most interesting colonial “skyscrapers” in Iloilo City aside from the neoclassic Belfry of Jaro.

Molo church is very sturdy and has survived fires, earthquakes, and artillery barrages in 1945. Molo church was made as an evacuation center for the civilians during WWII. One tower is said to have been destroyed by the Americans after suspecting it was used for military purposes by the Japanese during the Second World War. The bells still bear the scars of bullets shot at Philippine resistance fighters in the second world war. The National Historical Institute declared it a national landmark in 1992.

The main altar. The murals on the sides of the altar, which illustrate the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ, were painted by Mariano Mabuhay and Jesue Huervas.

The Nave of the Molo church

The church is said to have the selection of the most number of female saints, each pillar that lines the aisle stands a female saint that is almost life-size.
These saints are:(on the left);  Sta. Marcela, Apolonia, Genoveva, Isabel, Felicia, Ines, Monica, Magdalena (on the right) Juliana, Lucia, Rosa de Lima, Teresa, Clara, Cecilia, Margarita and Marta .

1. Old Churches in the Philippines