Lino Photography

tribo paghidaet of dinagyang festival in iloilo

this was my favorite contingent, probably because i’m half ilonggo so i’m biased, hehehe.  but they were really cool, very fast movements and lots of energy, too bad they only placed 1st runner up…

the saad festival of leganes iloilo

the lami-lamihan festival of basilan

and the marshal hunks of the aliwan… ‘ey manong, you’re blocking our view… ‘

the skyline at the control tower of iloilo airport

The Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in the town of Miagao, Iloilo is one of the Philippines architectural and religious gems.

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Built between 1787 and 1797, its fortress-like design suggests its dual purpose as a place of worship and as a fort used in defending the town against moro raiders at the time.

Handles and carving on the front door of the church

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It is one of only four (Augustinian-built) churches in the country to make it to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.

The central feature of the bas-relief facade is a large coconut tree which reaches almost to the apex. While an integral part of the Philippine landscape, the coconut tree is also the subject of lore. According to an old Philippine legend, the coconut tree was the only bequest from a loving mother to her two children, a tree which sustained them for life. On the church’s facade the coconut tree appears as the “tree of life” to which St. Christopher carrying the Child Jesus on his shoulder is clinging to. The lesser facades feature the daily life of Miagaowanons during the time. Also depicted are other native flora and fauna, as well as native dress.

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The church and its watchtowers were also built to defend the town and its people against raids by the Moros. It therefore has thick walls and, reportedly, secret passages. Indeed stretching along the Iloilo coast are defensive towers, but none that equal the size of the Miag-ao. It is because of this defensive purpose that it is sometimes referred to as the Miag-ao Fortress Church.

Also of note are the dissimilar designs of the two belfries; both were commissioned by two different parish priests.

I was fortunate enough to get inside, the door was closed at first and I didn’t know if someone was inside.  So when the door opened, I politely ask if I can take pictures inside, he obliged but for only a few minutes because they need to get ready for an afternoon mass.

an old window on the side of the bell tower

this is my favorite among the churches that we visited in iloilo, when i behold the site while we were still in the jeepney, it really captured me. 

thanks to wikipedia and waypoints for the added infos…