1. PAOAY CHURCH
Paoay Church is
included in the Unesco World Heritage list. The church was constructed in 1704
and was completed in 1894 by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio
Estavillo. It is considered as the best-known “earthquake Baroque” church in
the Philippines. Large coral stones were used for the lower level while bricks
were used for the upper levels of the church. The walls are 1.67 meters thick
and are supported by 24 carved and massive buttresses. It is a combination of
Gothic, Baroque and Oriental architectural
designs.
2. Barasoain
Church
Barasoain Church (also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Parish) is a Roman Catholic church built in1630 in Malolos City, Bulacan. Having earned
the title as the Cradle of Democracy in the East, most important religious
buildings in the Philippines, and the site of the First
Philippine Republic, the Church is proverbial for its historical
importance among Filipinos. Founded by Augustinian Missionaries in 1859, the church is also renowned for its architectural design and internal adornments. The
original church was burned during the outbreak of the Philippine
Revolution however, it was renovated. It is about 42 kilometers away from
Manila.
3.
San Agustín Church
San Agustín
Church is a Roman Catholic church under
the auspices of The order odf St. Agustine, located inside the historic walled
city of Intramuros in Manila. Completed by 1607, it is the oldest church
currently standing in the Philippines. No other surviving building in
the Philippines has been claimed to pre-date San Agustin Church.
In 1993, San
Agustin Church was one of four Philippine churches constructed during
during the Spanish colonial period designated by
the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, under the classification "Baroque
Churches of the Philippines". It had been named a National
Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976.
4.
San Sebastian Church of Manila
The Basilica Minore de San Sebastian,
better known as San Sebastian Church, is a Roman Catholicminor basilica in
Manila, Philippines. It is the seat of the Parish of San
Sebastian and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
San Sebastian
Church was completed in 1891, it is noted for its architectural features. An
example of the revival of Gothic Architecture in the Philippines, it
has been recognized by the UNESCO as the only all-steel church or
basilica in Asia. It has also been implausibly reputed to be the first
prefabricated building in the world, and more plausibly claimed as the
only prefabricated steel church in the world. In 2006, San Sebastian Church was
included in the Tentative List for possible designation as a World Heritage Site. It was designated as a National
Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1973.
The Church is
under the care of The Order of the Augustinian Recollects,
who also operate a collegeadjacent to
the basilica. It is located at Plaza del Carmen, at the eastern end of Claro M.
Recto Street, in Quiapo, Manila
5.
Dauis Church of Bohol
Another
beautiful church in Bohol is the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Dauis,
on the Island of Panglao. It is located not far from the bridge that connects
Panglao with Bohol. The church was founded by the Jesuits Fr. Diego de Ayala
and Joseph Gregorio. The church is built in a mixture of styles, influenced by
both Byzantine and Romanesque architecture. Inside, on the ceiling, are some
impressive frescoes painted Ray Francia in 1916. Lito Arraya renovated the
building in 1970.
The church's
patron saint, the Virgin of the Assumption, is said to possess miraculous
powers. An old legend relates that once, when the town was invaded by pirates,
the people of Dauis locked themselves into the church. However, they soon ran
out of provisions and water. Then a miracle occurred: a well appeared at the
foot of the altar. This same well is still the main source of water for the
people living close to the church, and, although the well is only a few meters
from the sea, the water is absolutely fresh. The water is said to have healing
powers, so, if you're visiting here, don't forget to bring a bottle and take
some home.
6.
Quiapo Church
Quiapo is
a district of Manila, Philippines, also
referred to as the "old downtown." It is known for its cheap prices
on items ranging from electronics, bicycles to native handicrafts.
Quiapo is
also famous for the Black Nazarene. Thousands of people
parade through the streets to touch the statue where it is supposed to produce
miraculous effects. A number of faithful usually collapse in a faint during the
ritual, and some have even died. The Feast Day of the Black Nazarene (also
known as Quiapo Day) is celebrated every January 9th.
Plaza Miranda
in the heart of Quiapo District, is named after Jose Sandino y Miranda, who
served as secretary of the treasury of the Philippines for 10 years
beginning in 1853.[2] It is a
square or a public plaza in front of the St. John the Baptist Church or Quiapo
Church as it is widely known. It is also a popular site of political rallies.
On August 21, 1971, while the Liberal Party held their Miting de Avance in the
plaza, a bomb exploded, killing 9 and injuring almost 100
civilians.
7.
San Jose Church in Ivana Basco Batanes
Built in 1814 although its foundation dates back to 1795. Of all the old
churches in Batanes, it is the only one that was not built in the espadaña
style. It has a crenellated fortress-like campanile or belltower that gives the
appearance of a fortification. Fronts the Ivana Seaport and offers a commanding
view of the sea and surrounding countryside due to its elevation. Located 14
kilometers from Basco
8.
Baguio Cathedral
Our Lady of
Atonement Cathedral, better known as Baguio Cathedral, is a Catholic cathedral located
at Cathedral Loop, adjacent to Session Road in Baguio City in the Philippines. It is
distinct for its rose-colored exterior and is one of the most photographed
buildings in Baguio City. It served as an evacuation center during the Japanese occupation of
the Philippines during World War II.
9.
Basilica de Sto. Niño in Cebu
The Basilica
of Santo Niño, also called Basilica del Santo Niño, Basílica Minore
del Santo Niño and formerly known as the San Agustin Church prior to its
elevation as a Basilica Minore, is a 16th century
church in the heart of Cebu City, Philippines. It is purportedly built on the exact spot
where the image of the Santo Niño, a sculpture
depicting Jesus as a black Holy Child, was found by Spanish conquistadors in
1565 preserved in a burned wooden box which was left behind during the
1521 Magellan expedition.
10.
Our Lady of Manaog Shrine in Pangasinan
Manaoag, Pangasinan is one of the Philippines’ pilgrimage centers, thanks to the
presence of the Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine, home to the
image of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario (i.e., Our Lady of the Rosary), which
is believed to have miraculous powers. Non-Catholics may scoff at such
idolatrous devotion, but that has not deterred millions of Filipino Catholics
from visiting the shrine and venerating this representation of Virgin Mary.