Joanna Marie O. Santos
April 08, 2022

April is not only the month of beaches, staycation, or summer breaks. For Christians and Roman Catholics, April is a significant month for penance, devotion, and faith. This time of year, we commemorate HOLY WEEK as part of the Lenten season or kwaresma in Filipino.

As Christians, it is part of our tradition to visit pilgrimage sites during Holy Week. But when the pandemic started, we forwent going out and decided to commemorate holy week in our homes – praying or watching holy mass on TV. It has already been years, and now that this pandemic seems to subside (somehow), it’s time to go out with the whole family again and go visit churches.

Since Visita Iglesia means Seven Churches Visitation, we’ve listed seven (7) of the most beautiful and famous churches in the Philippines you’d love to visit for your holy week 2022 itinerary.

  1. Manila Cathedral

Image Source: The Manila Cathedral

The Manila Cathedral is the most recent incarnation of Manila's long-standing Church of Manila. It is a masterwork of design, built from 1954 to 1958 under the direction of Filipino architect Fernando H. Ocampo after the old structure was destroyed during WWII. Every intricate wall carving, door, panel, doorway, and even the eye-catching stained glass has a story to tell.

The cathedral serves as both the Prime Basilica of the Philippines and the country's highest seat of the archbishop. Former prelates who served the Archdiocese of Manila are laid to rest here.

  2. Paoay Church

Image Source: Zenrooms.com

Simbahan ng Paoay, also known as San Agustin Church, is one of the Philippines' most well-known and oldest churches. It is situated on Marcos Avenue in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It is also one of the province's most popular tourist attractions.

Earthquakes damaged it in 1706 and 1927. Its wounds enhanced its beauty and made it worthwhile to visit. San Agustin Church was designated as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 1973 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site among the country's baroque churches in 1993 due to its historical and aesthetic value.

  3. Taal Basilica

Image Source: Lifestyle. Inquirer

Taal Basilica is Asia's largest church, measuring 96 meters long, 45 meters broad, and 96 meters tall. The basilica, sitting on top of a hill, towering above the historic heritage town of Taal. This massive Baroque edifice was composed of coral stones and adobe. The 24 classical columns in pairs, arranged up two rows of six on top of each other, were the most noticeable characteristics of its exterior. It features 10 windows and 5 doors. The structure is capped with a triangle roof and gable on each side, as well as one in the middle. The bell tower is located on the left side.

  4. Shrine of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon

Image Source: Philippines Lifestyle

The shrine is located in Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan. It is made up of edifices influenced by Korean architecture. It is not the normal shrine or church seen in most places of our nation. When you visit this location, you will be greeted by two significant structures. The larger one is normally where Sunday mass is held, while the smaller one has a chapel. This location is currently in the hands of the Sisters of St. Andrew, a Korean nuns' community.

  5. Callao Cave Chapel

Image Source: Donnie Cruz – Getaway PH

Callao Cave features nine chambers and formations in all; two chambers were blocked off following an earthquake in the 1980s, but the others are open for exploration: the Column, Chapel, Skeleton, Elephant's Head, Praying Angel, Rocket, Lion's Head, and Dog's Head formations.

The Chapel, the cave's solitary Roman Catholic chapel, is naturally lighted by a crack just above the cavern floor. The caverns also hold its own fossilized Homo Sapien, the Callao Man, the country's earliest known remains.

  6. Mt. Carmel Chapel

Image Source: Tony Hidalgo - Flickr

Tukon Church, also known as Mt. Carmel Chapel was founded on May 3, 2008, at Sitio Tukon, Barangay Chanarian, Batanes. It was the only chapel in the world to be designed after a typical Ivatan home with stone walls.

Mt. Carmel Chapel exudes solemnity and tranquility as it lies atop a hill, overlooking the beautiful flora of Batanes, as well as the Pacific and West Philippine Seas.

  7. Miagao Church

Image Source: The Wandering Juan

The Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova, also known as the Miagao Church, is the Roman Catholic parish church of Miagao in the province of Iloilo. Finished in 1797, the church is noted for the exquisite sculptural relief carved on its exterior. The church was certified by UNESCO as one of the outstanding examples of Philippine Baroque Churches in 1993 and was later added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 1994.

Most visitors would agree that the Miagao Church is one of the country's architectural treasures because of its distinctive and imposing architecture, embellishments, and themes.

As the pandemic tries to dismantle our faith, may the trips to Visita Iglesia churches strengthen and reconnect us with the Lord even stronger. Let us all pray for everyone’s healing and hope for a better and safer world.

  Sources: ph.hotels.com, zenrooms.com, thepoortraveler.net, guidetothephilippines.ph, bluedreamer27.com, primer.com.ph, exploreiloilo.com