Leon Church

Camando was a visita of Tigbauan as early as 1719, it became an independent parish in 1738 through the advocation of Santa Catalina Virgen Y Martir. The church of Camando was built in 1773, but when the town was relocated to its present site, the church was also transfered. The name Camando was changed to Leon as a regard to a Spanish City with the same name.The construction of the present church was started by Fr. Melquiades Arizmendi and continued by Fr. Serapio Gonzalez. Its architectural motif is Romanesque proven by a overpowering combination of Roman and Byzantine features. The main portal is flanked by two smaller doors with multi-layered arches. There is no existing cornice which separates the first and the second levels of the facade, thus it appears to be a one-storey-church, however it is very obvious that the church is of huge symmetry. The overall impression is massiveness.The church was planned to be a three-nave temple which was supposed to be the largest in Panay Island. It was so huge that it can be at par with the Cathedral of Leon in Spain. Unluckily, the church was never finished, the apse and the transepts were ruined and the size of the church was shortened. However, the facade of the church is still very remarkable; here, one might notice the carvings of the coat of arms of Leon City(Spain).History says that there were 12 images of apostles in the old church of Camando. When the church was transfered to Leon, the tweleve images were also transfered. Today, not even one of these images still exists.

Guimbal Church

Finished in 1774, Giumbal's ornate church is built of yellowish limestones with artistic rosette carvings. It is not that capacious compared to other churches in the region, but it was finely decorated. The architectural design imposed by the twinned pillars and the plain finials is Neoclassic but the light and flying effects of the ornate rosettes give the edifice an unusual baroque touch. The four-levelled belfry of Guimbal is of unknown architectural design; however, the presence of the small yet detailed archwindows exudes a neoclassic control. The fourth level of the belfry, may not fall in the Gothic lines but more probably in the Moorish sense of art.

Photo by: Explore Iloilo

Tigbauan Church

The artistic retablo-facade of Tigbauan Church is a fine example of Churrisguresque architecture. Many accounts define the church as Latin in style since there are existing Mexican inspired features within the portal relief. Each carving is finely detailed. There is no sign of boldness, but there is a light floating effect created as the relief narrows up while sprawling towards the cornice which seperates the pediment from the other parts of the facade. Bent winged cherubs and varied floral carvings dominate most of the relief. Aside from the relief, everything else is left rough and plain. The carvings may not be very visible since it drowns from the rugged and irregular texture of the limestone used on the facade.

San Joaquin Church

San Joaquin became an independent parish 1793 through the advocation of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. The church of San Joaquin was finished in 1850, however Fr. Tomas Santaren decorated the facade of the chucrh with a very unique relief which informs the victory of Spain against the Moors. The carver which decorated the facade seemed to adore Chinese artistry so much because the carvings of the imageries appeared so oriental. Aside from the mural on the pediment everything else is left clean and simple. A graceful arch is enclosing the entrance portal while floral carvings frame the statuary niches. Rosettes decorate the thin line of cornice and the bare finials continued by a parade of balusters crown the bas-relief pediment.

Alimodian Church

Alimodian was founded in 1717, it was formerly a visita of Oton, and lies on a strategic location bounded by tropical hills. The church Alimodian can be traced back in the 1700's. It was built by Fr. Florencio Martin. The church then was known to have the most artistic belfry in Panay and Negros Islands. The facade is of unknown architectural style. The artistic belfry was ruined by the 1948 earthquake except for its base level. The design of the original walls and the side portal exudes Neoclassic simplicity. The interior flies further compared to the exterior. The baptistery chapel is a must see since there is an existing brick ceiling. There are mysterious chambers within the church's walls which are of unknown purposes.The reception area beside the church is more than your usual scenario. Even if the convent is ruined, it still adds up a unique european effect, thus making the entire courtyard a grand western garden.

Photos by: Reviving Iloilo

Tubungan Church

The church was finished in the late 1800's, however much of the edifice was destroyed in the second world war. The church was somehow restored back to its former beauty. The ruined belfry was reconstructed and the facade was restored. Like Leon, the church is a graceful example of Romanesque architecture. The belfry on the other hand is a three-storey Neoclassic structure. the yellowish color of the church enhances its antique beauty.

Miagao Church

Miagao became an independent parish in 1731. Many churches had been built in Miagao's former centre, but like Guimbal, Miagao is a frequent victim of Pirate raids, earlier churches were burned. In 1786, The new church of Miagao was then built on top of Tacas hill. The fortress-church was finished in 1797. The facade is of varied architectural styles, numerous ornaments derived from numerous styles were merged to create a heavy yet intricate baroque retablo-facade. Neoclassic, Rococo and Churrisguresque, are the most dominant style of the church, the fusion of these styles imposes baroque architecture. The pediment of the church is carved with a relief of botanical motif. No cornice was used to seperate the pediment from the first level of the facade, instead a line of heavily carved balusters flank the wavy rococo niche and divides the facade into two.The belfries are not symmetrical, which completes the church's overall Baroque roundness, the pointed turrets or finials used to crown each level is another feature which further impose baroque dominance.

Photos by: Explore Iloilo