In a predominantly Roman Catholic country like the Philippines, the Holy Week marks a time of repentance, reflection and revival. Before the pandemic, the faithful would flock to churches and other places of retreat as a spiritual pilgrimage. The season is also marked with days of fasting and abstinence, most remarkably done during Good Friday.
Now, after two years since the Covid-19 pandemic was declared official by the World Health Organization, the faithful are slowly getting back into the observing Holy Week traditions outside of their homes.
One popular activity which Catholics have missed in the past two years, is the century-old “Visita Iglesia.” This is usually done every Holy Thursday, where the faithful visit seven churches and recite the 14 Stations of the Cross per stop. Some would recite two stations per church instead, allowing the elderly to rest.
In addition to the experience, Smart Communications Inc. have put up Quick-Response (QR) code markers in seven heritage churches in Cebu. These QR codes contain historical and tourism information. This is part of Smart’s Digital Tourism Program.
Here are the seven churches that have the QR codes and some interesting tidbits about them:
St. Catherine of Alexandria Church (Carcar)
History suggests that the church’s present-day structure was built in 1860, however, an inscription on its bell in its belfry reads the year “1810.” This led to questions whether or not there was a previous church structure built in the area.
Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church (Sibonga)
The town’s first church is known for its majestic seven-panel artwork that depicts the creation story in the Book of Genesis.
St. Michael the Archangel Church (Argao)
The church stands 72 meters tall and was built in the 18th century. It is also known for its massive five-bodied belfry which carries one of the island’s oldest church bells, which is embossed with the image of St. Augustine.
San Guillermo de Aquitania Church (Dalaguete)
This church built in 1802 is a National Historical Landmark, as it still has its original “retablo.” A “retablo,” according to Merriam-Webster, is “a votive offering made in the form of a religious picture typically portraying Christian saints, painted on a panel, and hung in a church or chapel especially in Spain and Mexico.”
Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church (Boljoon)
The rich history of this church goes back to the 1700s. It originally served as a “watchtower” against raids, thus, explaining how it was originally built of coral stones and located on a hill with a view of the sea. The structure is considered a historical treasure.
St. Gabriel the Archangel Church (Santander)
Built and completed in the late 1800s, this church was an “answered prayer” for residents as they previously had to walk 18 kilometers just to attend mass in the town of Oslob.
St. Michael the Archangel Church (Samboan)
This is among Cebu’s oldest churches and was built in 1842. The church is a nationally protected heritage structure by the National Historical Commission.
In the age of social media, it is important to remind this present generation of our island’s rich history. These QR code markers do more than just augment one’s Visita Iglesia experience this Holy Week. They are also ways of preserving stories for the next generation.