Philippine Churches

Sunday, April 15, 2012

STA. ANA, Manila: National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned





Our Lady of the Abandoned.



Image of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception on the left wing of the church.




Details from the retablo.


The tabernacle, intricately carved and painted in gold.




Colorful stained-glass on the windows of the church.


GUDALUPE VIEJO, Makati City: Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church


     Who would have thought that in a city known for its skyscrapers stands a structure that withstood World War II with just a minimal damage, the Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church.  


The belfry of the church. 













NASUGBU, Batangas: Caleruega-Chapel of the Transfiguration

Nestled on top a hill, the Chapel of Transfiguration in Caleruega has been a famous choice for couples who wish to tie the knot in this solemn place.


Monday, April 9, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO DEL MONTE, Quezon City: Santuario de San Pedro Bautista

     I never thought that there exists a sanctuary just a ride away from our house. Perhaps, I am blown away by the old churches that I already visited that made me disregard some churches of great significance. The Santuario de San Pedro Bautista, a place where the saint once lived along with other Franciscan missionaries. 
 

 

             

     Murals found on both wings of the church, depicting the life and death of Fray Pedro.

 

      Enshrined at the 300-year old Baroque retablo is the image of San Pedro Bautista, 1990.





            

























Dioramas depicting how San Pedro Bautista and fellow martyrs suffered from the hands of the Japanese.




An enclosed crucifix found at the back of the church.

 


                                        Hanging on the wall is a wooden sculpture of the the crucified Christ.


Patio de San Francisco situated at the back of the church.


                          

During the olden times, there was a cave made of earth used by the Franciscan missionaries as a dwelling place to pray. It is evident that the cave now has lost its glory in terms of construction.

                        

Found inside the cave is an image of St. Francis of Assissi in front of a Damian cross, a story telling that that the latter spoke to St. Francis of Assissi asking him to build a church.



A map showing the route of San Pedro Bautista and companion martyrs from Sakai to Nagasaki, Japan where they were all executed.


A blessed image of the martyr saint stands outside the church.

                             

                      

Saturday, April 7, 2012

CANIOGAN, Pasig City: Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish

Sta. Clara de Montefalco, patroness of those who suffer from heart illnesses found its new home in Brgy. Caniogan, Pasig City. Originally situated along Dr. Sixto Avenue, the church is now located along C. Raymundo Avenue. The old church still stands but its really abandoned. Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish is now recognized as the tallest church in the Philippines.




Evident in the church's retablo mayor are coconut embelishments such as the palms and the trunk, where barangay Caniogan got its name.

BALER, Aurora: San Luis de Tolosa Church


If only the walls of this quaint church could talk, it would tell you the story how the Spaniards used this as their defense against Filipino revolutionaries. The Church of Baler, as its famously known for, is under the protection of Saint Louise of Tolouse.