My SHOT as a PHOTOGRAPHER KuNo!!! Well I just tried...

Part of my travel is taking some personal photos and of course trying to capture some beautiful and picturesque locations and subject that I personally collect. When I was in Guimbal, Iloilo, Philippines. I roamed around their town plaza and capture some photos.

THE GUIMBAL CHURCH FROM A FAR THE GUIMBAL CHURCH BELL TOWER GUIMBAL PLAZA HAVE ARRAY OF BEUTIFUL ORNAMENTAL PLANTS A PLANT KNOWN AS "anahaw" ANAHAW LEAF INSIDE OF A FLOWER FLOWER GARDEN A LEAF OF A PLANT ONE OF MY FAVORITE SHOTS RUNNING WATER FROM THE POND

The GRANDEUR of GUIMBAL CHURCH.

I was privileged to roam around the Province of Iloilo and been able to see different places there. One of the Place I visited was the Municipality of Guimbal.

THE FACADE OF GUIMBAL CHURCH

Guimbal was annexed as a visita of Oton in 1575. In 1590 it became an independent doctrina (mission) but in 1618 was handed over to the secular clergy for lack of Augustinian friars. In 1626, Guimbal returned to the administration of the Augustinians who appointed Fr. Pedro Ramirez as vicar-prior. In 1656, Guimbal was placed under Tigbauan. Guimbal was affected by the jurisdictional conflict between the Jesuits and the Augustinians. The former was working to convert the Mundos who lived in the upland but within the boundaries of Guimbal. Miagao was annexed to Guimbal in 1703. The conflict between the Jesuits and the Augustinians was resolved in 1751. Fr. Juan Aguado who worked in Guimbal in 1742, 44 and 53 began building the present church and Fr. Juan Campos finished it between 1769-74. Fr. José Oranguren enlarged the church in 1893, but two years later the church was burnt. Fr. Agustín Llorente restored the church and built the tower. The church is presently under going renovation, the cement and stucco finish of the church is being removed revealing stonework made of yellow sandstone similar to the type used in Tigbauan and Miagao.

Guimbal Church is a rather squat structure, made even more so by raising the level of the street. The façade with the wide base of the bell tower makes the whole structure appear wide rather than it is tall. The bell tower is made of three unadorned quadrilateral structures of diminishing sizes with arched windows piercing the walls. The façade is divided horizontally into two stories by a frieze decorated by rosettes and vertically by engaged columns. Twin columns resting on plinths flank the central section. Composite capitals crown the columns. A narrow pediment terminating in a cross caps the central section from which a shallow curve links the pediment with the lower story. Vases and pyramid finals decorate the façade. The Guimbal Church is one of the oldest churches in the country. This yellow sandstone church is made made from adobe stones called igang and coral stones quarried from Guimaras. It was built in 1774 by Father Campos. The façade is a two-story affair flanked by twinned round pilasters decorated with floral carvings. Its vintage belfry is 4 stories high and doubles as a watchtower during the Spanish town against pillaging Moro pirates. The Guimbal Church is located beside the Guimbal Plaza.

The grandeur of San Joaquin Old Cemetery

San Joaquin Old Cemetery was built at the twilight of Spanish rule, San Joaquin cemetery was initiated by Fray Mariano Vamba, the last Augustinian parish priest of the town. Terraced stone steps culminate at the cemetery’s crowning glory—its capilla, sumptuously decorated with stone carvings of a distinct floral and leaf pattern.

The CapillaThe capilla also, known as “Campo Santo,” is made of coral rocks and baked bricks.That's me under the scorching heat of the sun, enjoying the grandeur and the monumental of this edifice.

San Joaquin Church in the Province of Iloilo

San Joaquin Church

The militaristic motif of the San Joaquin Church distinguishes itself from other churches in the Country. Carved on a disproportionately large pediment on the church’s facade is an intricate sculptural relief depicting the Spanish victory over Moroccan forces in the Battle of Tetuan.

The FACADE: The unique features of the San Joaquin Church has received the admiration of its onlookers including the National Historical Institute, which has listed the church as a National Cultural Treasure. The declaration was made in support of the state policy to preserve and protect important cultural properties and safeguard their intrinsic value. The low relief mural captures the drama of victory where cavalry and infantry are tearing down Moorish defense. So intricate is the sculpture that even the expression of agony by wounded soldiers is visible. The title of the composition “Rendición de Tetuan” is carved at the base of this animated relief. The Bell Tower: One of the bells of the San Joaquin Church hangs silently from the chains. The year inscribed on its mossy figure, año 1861, hints at the amount of history it has seen from the top of the bell tower. One would wonder, how many times has this bell pealed? How many masses has it welcomed? Lower Facade Detail: The San Joaquin Church, built in 1869, is made of limestones quarried from the mountains of Igbaras and gleaming white coral stones abundant in the shores of San Joaquin. The facade is decorated with rosettes and divided vertically by engaged columns. A plaque above the arched portal displays the Augustinian seal flanked by cherubs. The three altars are also of carved limestone, and were originally painted in bright colors. The San Joaquin Church is flanked by a three story bell tower to its right and ruins of its old convent to its left. Among the sprawling ruins of the convent are an oval well and a kiln for baking bread.