Nov
08
2012
Bukidnon Provincial Capitol
Bukidnon Provincial Capitol stands majestically in front of a wide football field, backed up by pine-covered hills, misty after rains. While we look to Luzon and Visayas for anything colonial heritage structures, Mindanao has handful of them as well. In Northern Mindanao, we thought that most civic structures were built during the contemporary times. We were wrong.
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2012/11/08/bukidnon-provincial-capitol-heritage-governance-and-cool-mountain-air/
Oct
27
2012
Because its the Halloween season or nearing Todos Los Santos, I’ll be featuring several Spanish era cemeteries of the province of Iloilo within this week. Known for their unique camposantos, construction and baroque features, these has stood the test of time and an addition to the heritage sites that manifested Ilonggo, Spanish, Chinese and mestizo creativity along with its century old churches and houses.
Located 59 kilometers southeast of Iloilo City towards the province of Antique, this laidback southernmost town of Iloilo of San Joaquin is our first stop for the tour. It was believed to be one of the places of the mythical “Barter of Panay” where Bornean datus traded the legendary golden hat and long necklace to the native Ati or Aborigenies for settling in the lowlands.
San Joaquin Camposanto
Being the farthest town down south, it has maintained its rustic charm with a century old church featuring the relief of the Battle of Tetuan. Maybe a manifestation of the Christian settlers here against the marauding Moro raiders during the Spanish colonial era.
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2012/10/27/sanjoaquincamposanto/
Sep
17
2012
Magellan’s Cross basking in afternoon glow
If you ask any elementary school student in the Philippines, the red tiled and almost circular house in the middle of the city, with a cross inside it, they’ll answer—Cebu! Then ask what it is, they’ll answer, Magellan’s Cross po! If Manila has its Rizal Monument in Luneta as its most important landmark, then Cebu City has its Magellan’s Cross. As what they say, “You haven’t been to Cebu if you haven’t seen it.” You can even see it in the City’s Official Seal. (Dong, wa pa gud ka kaanha sa Sugbo kon wa ka pa makahapit sa Magellan’s Cross!)
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2012/09/17/magellans-cross-cebus-most-recognized-icon/
Apr
05
2012
San Joaquin Church Rendicion d' Tetuan
Last week, we were in Batangas for a visita iglesia in Taal’s prominent religious structures—the Basilica Minore de San Martin de Tours and Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine. Today, we fly all the way to the Visayas to visit Iloilo. Our first stop would go all the way to the southernmost town of the province, San Joaquin. This town is known to be one of the landing sites of the mythical Ten Bornean Datus. However, the crowning jewel of this southern town would be its 19th century church and its cemetery. The church however tells the story of the San Joaquin’s history, carved in stone.
La fuerza moro y espanol
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2012/04/05/san-joaquin-church-of-iloilo-stories-behind-the-stone-carvings/
Mar
10
2012
Eva Estrada Kalaw's Home
It was 2008 when I was still a part-time researcher for the inventory of old homes and buildings in Manila for Ateneo’s project, together with HCS member Jeffery Yap. One of the homes on our Sampaloc inventory was a green two-storey house located in Lepanto Street (now S. Loyola). Amidst the colossal buildings that surround it, the petite home still maintains its suburban feel. When we knocked the gates and asked for an interview, it wasn’t just an ordinary person who welcomed us. It was former senator Eva Estrada-Kalaw-unexpectedly.
Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2012/03/10/at-home-in-manila-miss-eva-kalaws-ancestral-home-in-sampaloc/
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