SEVEN, eleven, thirteen or fourteen Churches, whatever the number of churches you believe one should visit to fulfill the Catholic tradition of Visita Iglesia on Maundy Thursday is your own.
I have joined different groups, from family to friends. Each party has a different number. I go with the flow. Personally, I believe the Lord hears me wherever I pray, inside his House or not. This thought pacifies me especially if the appointed day falls in the middle of a trip.
But Holy Week or not, Sunday, first Friday or whatever day of “obligation” it is or not, I somehow gravitate to the Churches whenever I’m traveling. Don't get me wrong— I am far from holy. It's the architecture that draws me. The older it is, the better.
Having visited the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish and Siliman University Church, both of which were walking distance from our hotel along the famed Rizal Avenue, I asked a local if there were any more within the vicinity, one with a rich history. I was directed to the Bacong Church, a 15minute-tricycle ride away from the city center.
Founded in 1837, Bacong is located South of Dumaguete City. It is the smallest municipality of the province and was hometown to Katipunero Pantaleon Vargas aka Leon Kilat, a hero of the Philippine Revolution.
Perhaps the small town’s biggest attraction is the San Agustin Church aka Bacong Church. It started construction in 1849 and was completed in 1883. And biggest is an apt description in more ways than one. Here’s a rundown of its interesting features.
First, San Agustin Church has the tallest belfry in Negros Oriental.
Second, it bears the oldest main altar in the region. It is embellished with gold leaf and painted friezes.
Third, the Church has the oldest pipe organ as well. It was purchased from the Roques Brothers in Zaragoza, Spain, and installed in 1894, shortly after the Spanish revolution broke out in the province in 1898. Bohol has the only other pipe organ from the same origin.
Fourth, the well-preserved complex, with a churchyard and circa 1850 convent, is listed as one of the 26 colonial churches in the Philippines selected for restoration by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
I made the right decision and went out of the stay-within-Dumaguete-boundaries-only plan. San Agustin Church, with its interiors that really needs to be restored soon, is a nice Church.
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