Molo Church

The feminist church of Molo was built in 1831. It was built not only as a house of worship but as a monument of Ilonggo artistry in the world of Classic architecture . The overall design is Gothic Reniassance minus the flying butresses and the gargoyles. The interior is a fusion of Gothic and Romanesque architectures, there is a constant alternation between the overpowering features of Gothic and the recessive characteristics of Romanesque.
The Spires of Molo are yet the most interesting colonial skyscrapers in Iloilo City aside from the Neoclassic Belfry of Jaro. Images of 16 Female saints can be found inside, hence the church gained the title 'Women's Church'. Historty says that when Joze Rizal visited Iloilo, he adored the church becuase of its beautiful biblical paintings.Photos by: Explore Iloilo

San Jose Parish Church

It is believed that San Jose was founded by the legendary bornean datus which were the core of the Philippines' Malay Civilization. It is a part of Irong-Irong which's name simply means Nose-like. The name was hispanized to Ilong-ilong then Yloilo or Iloilo. The natives call this place Catalwan and in the bounds of the 16th and the 17th centuries, it was called La Punta.The terrain of San Jose is very poor, It is dry and infertile, however trade and commerce is continually flourishing. The construction of San Jose Church was initiated in 1873 through Fr. Mauricio Blanco. The architectural plan of this church was based from the Spanish Church of Miguelete of Valencia del Cid.The church of San Jose is a plain Byzantine Church in a Neoclassic symmetry. There is an absence of a secondary cornice in the Facade which gives the church a one-levelled affair. However, the secondary windows just above the entrance arches of the Church propose the location of the choir loft. There is an existing outbalance between the church facade and the twin towers. The four-levelled belfry flies out of the one-story facade, thus giving the structure a colossal allure. The Statue of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary is one of the church's priceless artifacts. This treasure was found on September 29, 1614.

Photos by: Explore Iloilo

Cathedral of Notre Dame du Bougies

Jaro, the city whithin a city is presently a suburban district in Iloilo City. It was formerly called Salog since it was irragated by Salog River. The Name Salog was changed to Xaro then Jaro. His Holiness Pope Pius IX created the bishopric of Jaro.The Metropolitan Cathedral of Jaro is the seat of Roman Catholicism in Western Visayas. Presently, the architectural identity of the Cathdedral is a rivalry between Baroque, Gothic and Neoclassic. The spires are later installations which run in the gothic lines of architecture and act as distortions to the entire motiff of the church. It is a three nave church which is interiorly divided by bold neoclassic pilars each housing a male saint. The retablos located in the transepts are of Baroque architecture. The curvilinear movement brought by the bright colors and the wavy outlines of some religious ornaments suggest a baroque feel.The original belfry of the church is a grand example of Neoclassic architecture. This is one of the few belfries in the Philippines which are separated from their root churches. The belfry was formerly ruined, consequently, it was restored to its former grandeur except for the statuaries which once crown the first level of the tower.

Trivia: Notre Dame du Bougies is french for Our Lady of Candles.

Photos by: Explore Iloilo

Lapaz Church

One of the places in Iloilo with the most names is Lapaz. It was formerly called Lobo, then, after it became an independent parish, Senor Jimeno called it Llauon or Ilaod which means 'down the river'. Later, it was called Iznart. Old folks call the town Bagong Banua or 'New Town'.
The first Parochial buildings were built of light materials. Fr. Candido Gonzalez built the facade in bricks and stone. The permanent overall construction was initiated from 1870 to 1874. The church is an example of Neoclassic architecture with few greek facets.