ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

Lording over the Molo plaza is one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines – St. Anne’s Church. More popularly known as Molo Church, it was constructed in 1831 under Fr. Pablo Montano, with the imposing edifice is made of massive white coral rock. It is the only Gothic church in the entire country outside of Manila. The Gothic character of the church is manifested not only in its two pointed towers but also on the pointed arches at the main altar and four side altars, pulpits and confessionals. Its two belfries had around 30 bells of different sizes ranging from small hand bells to big campaniles making a musical tone. Church interiors from www.jennydayao.com On August 4, 1886, national hero Jose Rizal dropped at Molo on his way back to Manila from exile at Dapitan in Mindanao. He went to see his friend, Raymundo Melliza who showed him the church. In his diary, Rizal wrote, " We went to Molo to see the church painted by a lad who has left the l...

Lording over the Molo plaza is one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines – St. Anne’s Church. More popularly known as Molo Church, it was constructed in 1831 under Fr. Pablo Montano, with the imposing edifice is made of massive white coral rock. It is the only Gothic church in the entire country outside of Manila. The Gothic character of the church is manifested not only in its two pointed towers but also on the pointed arches at the main altar and four side altars, pulpits and confessionals. Its two belfries had around 30 bells of different sizes ranging from small hand bells to big campaniles making a musical tone. Church interiors from www.jennydayao.com On August 4, 1886, national hero Jose Rizal dropped at Molo on his way back to Manila from exile at Dapitan in Mindanao. He went to see his friend, Raymundo Melliza who showed him the church. In his diary, Rizal wrote, " We went to Molo to see the church painted by a lad who has left the locality. The ch...