12 MUST-VISIT CHURCHES FOR VISITA IGLESIA ACROSS THE PHILIPPINES
During Holy Week, countless Filipinos participate in Visita Iglesia, a solemn tradition involving visits to seven churches on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
Read: Prusisyon at pabasa, nananatiling panata at tradisyon ng mga Pilipino tuwing Semana Santa
Given that over three-quarters of the nation identifies as Roman Catholic, this tradition is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of the Philippines.
Fortunately, the Philippines is home to a plethora of churches, each a testament to architectural brilliance and rich historical significance.
As the nation observes Holy Week, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) takes the opportunity to put a spotlight on 12 churches that are National Shrines, National Cultural Treasures, and National Landmarks.
Note that churches in Metro Manila are not included on this list as they have already been featured in this article.
Read: 8 historical Manila churches na maaaring puntahan para sa Visita Iglesia
NATIONAL SHRINES
At press time, there are 28 shrines honored by Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
For a church to be called a national shrine entails validations and certifications.
The first requirement is that the place of worship must be designated as a diocesan or archdiocesan shrine, an honor conferred by the local bishop or archbishop.
And to fulfill this first requirement, the church must exceed other churches in terms of worship, Christian formation, and social services.
NATIONAL SHRINE OF PADRE PIO, BATANGAS
The National Shrine of Padre Pio in Santo Tomas, Batangas, is a relatively new addition, constructed just 20 years ago, in 2003.
Made primarily of indigenous materials, it features a distinctive design resembling a bamboo and nipa chapel, topped with a structure shaped like a Filipino farmer's hat, known as a salakot.
Recognized for its significance, the church was officially declared a National Shrine in 2015.
PHOTO: batangasphilippines.org
MINOR BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA, NAGA
The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City, Camarines Sur, is a cherished historic site symbolizing centuries of devout worship.
This National Shrine is known as the spiritual home of Ina, the beloved devotion of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
Built in 1711, the basilica was a gift from Rev. Miguel Robles de Covarrubias, the man who brought Ina's devotion to the region.
Today, this basilica continues to inspire faith and pilgrimage among believers.
PHOTO: Vic Villafor / naga.gov.ph
SPECIAL MENTION: BARASOAIN CHURCH, BULACAN
One of the top religious landmarks in Bulacan is Barasoain Church, also known as Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and is deemed as "the most important religious building in the Philippines."
This religious and historic site witnessed three key events in Philippine history: the First Philippine Congress in 1898, the drafting of the Malolos Constitution in 1899, and the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic in the same year.
On August 1, 1973, it was declared a National Shrine by the Presidential Decree No. 260 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos.
Inside the Barasoain Church, visitors have the opportunity to explore the Museo ng Republika ng 1899, consisting of five galleries. The museum features a captivating light and sound presentation on the Malolos Congress and the Philippine Constitution, alongside a stereoscopy chamber exhibiting stereographs of the conflict with the United States.
PHOTO: barasoainchurch.org
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NATIONAL CULTURAL TREASURES
These declarations are made by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and other cultural agencies, such as the National Museum of the Philippines, National Library of the Philippines, and National Archives of the Philippines.
They are authorized by the National Heritage Act of 2009 and recognized within the Cultural Properties of the Philippines by the Philippine government.
Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Manaoag
Also called The Church of Manaoag, it is one of the most visited churches in the Philippines.
The original shrine was founded in 1600, and, in the modern times, has become a sanctuary for devotees of Nuestra Señora de Manaoag or Apo Baket in Manaoag, Pangasinan.
It is known for its miraculapous image of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, a patroness and mother who intercedes for those who are sick and those who need help.
PHOTO: Ramon FVelasquez for Wikimedia Commons
SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH IN PAOAY, ILOCOS NORTE
The Saint Agustin Church or Paoay Church, founded in 1694, was built to resist the earthquakes common in the region.
With its Baroque style architecture, and the three-storey tower beside it, locals and tourists will surely love the heritage structure.
The church was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and a National Cultural Treasure in 1973.
PHOTO: Department of Tourism
MIAGAO CHURCH, ILOILO
The Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church, also known as the Miagao Church, was first built in 1731.
Designed to also withstand typhoons and earthquakes, it was restored in 1960.
Other than being built for worship, Miagao church was also used as an evacuation area for parishioners to protect their selves from invasions.
Its façade is considered as Filipino native art, though its architectural style is also Baroque Romanesque, or fortress baroque.
The church was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
The Santo Tomás de Villanueva Parish Church of Miagao was declared a national shrine in 1973 under Presidential Decree No. 260, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and as a national cultural treasure in December 2014.
PHOTO: Olivia Estrada
BASILICA MINORE DEL SANTO NIÑO, CEBU
Founded in 1565, then fully constructed in 1735, the Church of Sto. Nino de Cebu is "where the Santo Nino image had been found."
In 1599, this convent turned church, other than being a rest house of missionaries, served as a retirement home for the aged and the sick.
Being located on an island, the materials used to fully construct the church took a lot of manpower and force with wood coming from the mountains for Talisay and Oitalo, and stones coming from Capiz and Panay, all being transported through bancas.
On April 14, 2021, the National Museum of the Philippines declared the Church and Convent of Santo Niño and the Magellan's Cross Pavilion as a National Cultural Treasure.
PHOTO: santoninodecebubasilica.org
SAN PEDRO CATHEDRAL, DAVAO CITY
San Pedro Cathedral, established in 1847, stands as Davao City's oldest church. Dedicated to Saint Peter, it was originally constructed with nipa and bamboo in a Spanish-style design, undergoing several renovations since its inception.
In the mid-1900s, Architect Ramon Basa reconstructed this National Cultural Treasure using wood, and then in 1964, Architect Manuel Chiew gave it a makeover with concrete, shaping its current appearance.
Its modern design features a distinctive frontal-curved solid structure, reminiscent of an ark, with notable embellishments, such as an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Ten Commandments in the garden.
PHOTO: DCoP / San Pedro Cathedral Parish on Facebook
NATIONAL LANDMARKS
These are historic sites in the Philippines that have been officially declared by the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property.
DARAGA CHURCH, ALBAY
The Nuestra Señora de la Porteria Church, also known as Daraga Church, is located in Daraga, Albay.
Its construction began in 1773 after people from Cagsawa sought shelter from Mt. Mayon's eruptions and the floods from the nearby Yawa River.
Perched on a hill, the church offers stunning views of the Mayon Volcano.
Its Baroque-style architecture, influenced by Mexico, symbolizes a "gateway to heaven and refuge of salvation."
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 2008, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.
PHOTO: govalbichara / albay.gov.ph
NUESTA SENORA DE LA ASUNCION IN SANTA MARIA, ILOCOS SUR
The construction of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion began in 1765.
It became a parish church in 1769.
Known for its fortress-like appearance, and being located on a hill, which needed stairway of 85 steps to reach, it was declared a National Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
PHOTO: santamariailocossur.gov.ph
BACLAYON CHURCH, BOHOL
Baclayon Church, located in Bohol, is both a National Historic Landmark and a National Cultural Treasure.
Dating back to 1727, it stands as one of the Philippines' oldest Catholic churches, still retaining its original materials.
Founded by Jesuits in 1596, just a few decades after the arrival of Spanish conquistadores, it holds deep historical significance in the region.
PHOTO: Baclayon Tourism on Facebook
SAN PEDRO APOSTOL PARISH CHURCH
Also known as Loboc Church, this coral stone church was built along the banks of Loboc River in Loboc, Bohol.
It was established in 1602 and completed by 1734.
In 1998, it was declared a National Historical Landmark, and in 2001, was also listed as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.
On October 15, 2013, it was severely damaged when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Bohol and other parts of Central Visayas.
Restoration began in 2017, and the church was reopened on May 16, 2021.
PHOTO: By Qaalvin, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54569416