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Friday, November 26, 2010

The Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral's restored elegance

When one speaks of a town called Jaro, known in the hispanic era as Xaro, he might as well mention of magnificent mansions and of Hispanic ancestral stone houses, of a beautiful 19th century belltower and of a religious Catholic fiesta that would last for more than a month or two. Yes! Jaro is indeed Iloilo City’s very own folklore town.
But if Jaro is known for one thing aside from its antiques, then it would be the Metropolitan Cathedral which is also the highest seat of Roman Catholicism in the Region. The Cathedral of Candelaria-which it is fondly called by the townspeople- is known as largest house worship in the entire province.The walls are built of white and cream colored fossil rock and coral stones. It’s exterior is baroque in its simplest form though recent additions to the 19th century structure include some neogothic and neoclassic elements. The terrace before the facade holds the miraculous Virgin of Candelaria that is believed to have outgrown its former niche. The archwindows are wide and tall and there is a minimal usage of rose windows, unlike its neighboring churches. The main entrance is flanked by flights of stairs leading to the miraculous Virgin's terrace where Pope John Paul II stood and faced hundreds or perhaps thousands of devotees from all over the region, when he visited the Philippines in 1981.
Though war and calamities took away the cathedral’s once magnificent beauty, it is currently being restored at least to bring back its former glory as an icon of art and architecture. The interior, once critiqued by many, is now amongst the most beautiful in the country. The paintings on its vaulted ceiling would remind you of artistically decorated churches in latin america and Spain and its baroque retablos are definitely the most well decorated just like the ones at the Feminist Neogothic church of Santa Ana in Molo.

12 comments:

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iloilo onfoot said...

it was just recently "restores"
but yes it's very very beautiful now.

Marie said...

I remember this place. I remember going up the balcony thingy in front to have my photo taken, about 15 years ago. I just forgot which church it was, coz we were on a field trip and went to probably a dozen churches that day.

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Unknown said...

Your post reminds me the days of those memorable days of going in into church. Jaro Cathedral indeed symbolizes Iloilo's rich cultural heritge. pinoy tv

Xang said...

This is really cool! Keep on posting and thanks for the information.

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Pinoy Live Stream said...

This is one of the place I want to visit I will ever be on Iloilo someday. :)

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guter Hautarzt Düsseldorf Prof. Hengge said...

Great work - do you know who fund the restauration?

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