Iloilo churches ready for ‘Visita Iglesia’

By Gail Momblan/Philippine News Agency

POPULAR CHURCH. The St. Thomas of Villanova Parish in Miag-ao, Iloilo remains as one of the most famous churches in the Iloilo province. Gilbert Marin, Provincial Tourism Officer, on Friday (April 12, 2019) said that tourists should take time to pray and repent during their church visits. (Photo coutesy of Discover Miagao)

ILOILO CITY — Churches in Iloilo province are ready for the flock of Catholic devotees for next week’s observance of the Holy Week, the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) said Friday.

Gilbert Marin, Provincial Tourism Officer, said tourists should consider completing their “Visita Iglesia”, the practice of visiting at least seven different churches on Holy Thursday or Good Friday in Iloilo province.

“We promote our churches, especially those found in the first and third districts. They are iconic churches and we expect most of the devotees to hold Lenten traditions here,” Marin said.

He said the St. Thomas of Villanova Parish in Miagao, Iloilo remains as one of the most famous churches in the province.

Commonly known as the Miagao Church, the St. Thomas of Villanova Parish church was declared in 1993 as part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site “Baroque Churches of the Philippines”.

Some of the churches in the first district are the San Joaquin Church in San Joaquin; St. Anthony the Abbot Parish Church in Tubungan town; St. John of Sahagun Parish Church in Tigbauan; and St. Nicolas of Tolintine Parish Church in Guimbal.

“Aside from our churches in the first district, we also boast of our beautiful churches in the third district,” Marin said.

The Neo-Classical Parish Church of St. Nicholas of Tolentine, built by the Augustinian Friars in 1834 in Cabatuan town, is ready to welcome visitors, he said.

The Sta. Barbara Church and Convent is also one of the must-visited churches in the province one should consider. Sta. Barbara Church was restored in 2015 and is considered the “Cradle of Independence” in Panay and in the Visayas, Marin said.

Other churches in the third district are the St. Nicholas De Toletine Parish Church in Lambunao and Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish Church in Calinog.

Marin said the “Visita Iglesia” is kept alive in the province as the PTO observes that families and friends practice the faith and tradition every year.

Marin reminded tourists to take time to pray and repent for their sins in their church visits during the “most solemn time of the year for the entire community.”

For the latest updates about this story, visit the Philippine News Agency website

Popular

SSS to roll out 3-year pension hike starting September 2025

By Anna Leah Gonzales | Philippine News Agency State-run Social Security System (SSS) said it will implement a Pension Reform Program, which features a structured,...

DOE to talk with DSWD, DILG for Lifeline Rate utilization

By Joann Villanueva | Philippine News Agency The Department of Energy (DOE) is set to discuss with other government agencies the inclusion of more Pantawid...

Zero-billing for basic accommodation in DOH hospitals applicable to everyone —Herbosa

By Brian Campued The “zero balance billing” being implemented in all Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals across the country is applicable to everyone as long...

DepEd committed to address classroom shortage

By Brian Campued Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday emphasized the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in addressing the shortage of classrooms...