Paoay Church [My World-Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

I believe this is the most popular church in Ilocos Norte.  I first heard of Paoay Church in the 80's when Irene Marcos, former president Marcos' daughter, had her wedding in an old church in Ilocos Norte.  Not in this church, but that fairy-tale wedding brought forth the beautiful churches of Ilocos to the public's attention.  

@ mirandablue

Found in the town of Paoay, approximately 470 kilometers north of Manila is Paoay Church or Saint Augustine Church.  Built in 1704 under the initiative of Augustinian priests, the church was completed in 1710, the bell tower in 1793.  The church was built of coral blocks, stucco-plastered bricks, salbot (tree sap) and lumber, bound together by mortar--a mixture of sand and lime with sugarcane juice. 

A unique combination of Gothic, baroque and oriental architecture, the style has been dubbed an "Earthquake Baroque" because of its massive 24 carved buttresses flanking the sides and rear facades.  Large coral stones were used for the lower level and bricks on the upper level--the walls are 1.67 meters thick made of the same materials (reminds me of 1.618 meters--the golden ratio, the mathematical formula for beauty :p). The builders made sure that the church would be a safe refuge that could withstand natural calamities.  A few meters away is a 3-storey coral stone bell tower.  The bell tower served as an observation post of the Katipuneros during the 1896 revolution against the Spaniards, and  by Filipino guerillas during the Japanese occupation in World War II. 

President Marcos declared Paoay Church as a national treasure and it was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

Compared to its impressive exterior,  I was surprised that the interior of the church---especially the altar, was simple and almost austere.  I was expecting a stunningly carved retablo, beautiful antique religious icons, and a painted ceiling similar to that of the Sistine Chapel.

At the doorway, we met a man (a Knights Templar, according to my sister :p) who gave us a brief history of this church, and pointed me to good vantage points to take photographs.  He said that four generations of his family have been serving this church.  Our Knights Templar confirmed that the original ceiling was indeed painted with murals but it was destroyed a long time ago.  He added  that the ceiling would soon be replaced---UNESCO gave the parish 5 million pesos (or about US$100,000) for the rehabilitation of the church and grounds.

@ mirandablue

Viewed from the right side, these giant buttresses reminded me of a Javanese temple.  

@ mirandablue

Fr. Pedro Galende, director of San Agustin Museum in Intramuros notes, "There is massiveness, movement, integration, and above all, a forceful sweep of illusion that say a great deal about Filipino ingenuity.  The result is an outstanding and undeniably Filipino type of architecture, neither Baroque or Gothic, neither European nor Mexican, but authentically Filipino."

@ mirandablue

Posted for My World-Tuesday