The interior of the church in Sta. Maria is more or less intact. There, the beautiful altars (2 at the sides and one at the center called the retablo mayor) are still original while the wooden pulpit at the lateral part of the nave (extreme left at the photo above) is solid and can still hold the weight of a man.
The Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion church in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, one of four of the UNESCO enscribed (1993) Baroque Churches of the Philippines, a World Heritage Site is perched up on a hill overlooking the town of Sta. Maria as well as the surrounding mountains and seas. Built at about 1765 by the Augustinians, it served as a fortress during the Philippine Revolution in 1896.
This is my second time to visit Caraga and this time, I decided to take the long trip. From Davao City, I went to Mati via an airconditioned Bachelor bus and from there, a jeepney. I was thinking that the sights and scents from an open vehicle would be more appealing than to one that is enclosed, airconditioned and in the case of V-Hires (actually, vans plying a route), an uncomfortable disposition since the passengers are tightly seated like sardines in a can.
At first, being in the front seat with the driver, I was excited about it. But then, after it left the terminal, it still went to the public market to get cargo and stuff and to the gasoline station to fill up its tank as well as another passenger’s big containers numbering 10 - 15 then to another loading point for a passenger to get his other wares that when we finally left Mati, it was almost two hours from our departure time! Excitement gave way to exasperation at the delay.
When we were already on the road, dark clouds started to gather and eventually, rain just poured. And hard. The front seat’s rain protection was not in good condition that water trickled in. But after a few hours, the pour became just a drizzle. Tired and weary, I arrived 5 hours later. If I rode a van or a bus, it would have just taken me around 2.5 hours. Anyway, that was an experience in itself.
Left, the provincial jeepney that I rode. Note the open front. I’m not really sure why they do this (it can also be seen in other provincial jeepneys around the country). Right, a stop at the market where it loaded stuff and goods for the trip.
The San Salvador del Mundo church in Caraga is reputed to be the oldest in the entire Mindanao. A very simple structure devoid of facade embellishments, the top of the main door is inscribed as 1884.
From the Wow Philippines site:
“17th Century Caraga Church Considered as one of the oldest churches in Mindanao, located in the town proper of Caraga, 70 meters from the edge of a built-in port made of ancient rocks overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It houses the 1802 Church Bell brought by the friars from Spain along with the antique image of San Isidro Labrador and other ancient files and archives. The baptismal registry from year 1835 up to present is still intact. These documents proved that from 1835 up to 1846, the places of Baganga, Manay and Mati used to register their newly baptized inhabitants at Caraga church. Part of the convent was used as a prison cell during the Spanish times.”
Left, this is the remaining half of an antique bell that used to hang from its belfry. The other half was stolen by thieves just a few months ago. Even the reamaining part is quite heavy and no wonder that the thieves left it. Right, the church’s ledger/records dating to more than a hundred years ago.
I have always been intrigued when centuries old churches are mentioned in Mindanao since its just rare. Of the four that I covered, one of these is the Immaculate Concepcion church in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. Built by the Jesuits late 19th century, it is perched atop an elevated area in this municipality.
Architecturally, left, I wasn’t so impressed with this church. Except for the lower portions that still retained the original stonework, the upper part of the facade is already new but I think that it still follows the original design. In the NCCA website, it also mentions that this is a provincial attempt to follow an urban design that is the San Ignacio church in Intramuros which was totally destroyed during WWII.
Right, the neo-Gothic retablo of the church.
Left, what impressed me very much with this church though, is the intricate design of its wooden ceiling, like a complex weave on a native basket or a piece of traditional tribal cloth. Right, the massive convent entirely made of wood with big tree trunks for its post inside.
The Parish Church of St. John the Baptist in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental is considered the best preserved heritage church in Mindanao. This unique church (so much different compared to the typical Spanish era churches in the rest of the country) is listed as one of 26 colonial churches considered as National Cultural Treasure and one of two from Mindanao (the other is in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental). Constructed by the Augustinian Recollects in the second half of the 19th century. Conservation measures are currently done inside the church as part of the NCCA (National Commission for Culture and Arts).
When I entered this church, I just can’t help but gasp at its very beautiful interior. Paintings at the top of the church’s nave, as well as sides are just amazing. Right, the impressive colors of the dome. Left, the rather squat facade is rather simple but inside, its just awesome.
The gothic style altar is impressive, left. Holy water font, dating back to 1878 can be found a few feet from the door, right. This church has also a pipe organ that is no longer used located at the choir loft.
Left, at the upper part of the belfry can be found, still intact but no longer functioning, the church’s clock. Its almost the same clockwork device that I have seen in Tayabas, Quezon and Oslob in Cebu. Right, still original tiles of the church’s floor still intact.
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