5 days Ago By Ambo Delilan
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rapplerAds.displayAd( "mobile-middle-1" );NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The annual observance of Lent in Negros Occidental includes the traditional Visita Iglesia, where Catholics visit at least seven churches to reflect on the suffering of Jesus Christ.Beyond the traditional practice of visiting seven different churches to pray and reflect on the Stations of the Cross, which recount Jesus Christ’s suffering and crucifixion, the province’s century-old churches also serve as historical and cultural landmarks, known for accounts of miracles, unique architectural features, and craftsmanship dating back to the Spanish colonial period.
Vito ChurchTopping the list is Sagay City’s Vito Church, a beacon for the devout not just during Lent but also every first Friday of the month and May 1, when Barangay Vito celebrates its fiesta. The church is famed for its 145-year-old patapak tradition, where devotees walk on their knees to the altar and press the wooden statue of San Vicente Ferrer to their bodies in hopes of healing.‘MIRACULOUS.
’ The ‘miraculous’ wooden statue of San Vicente Ferrer. Sagay City Tourism and Information OfficePatapak is using the much-talked “miraculous” wooden statue of San Vicente Ferrer, chiseled by the late Juan Barco out of drift wood found on Molocaboc Island of Sagay.Helen Cutillar.
Sagay’s tourism and information officer, said Vito Church is also known for the many “answered prayers.”CHURCH IN SAGAY. The Vito Church in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
Sagay City Tourism and Information OfficeOur Lady of Guadalupe ChurchBuilt around 1877, this church in Valladolid is not only remarkable for its coral brick construction but also for its central statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which locals believe saved the town from devastating floods long ago.CROWD DRAWER. The Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church in Valladolid draws the largest number of pilgrims in the province every Good Friday, known for its coral brick structure and miraculous lore.
courtesy of Valladolid PIOAside from its beautiful facade and interior, the center piece – a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe – is an object that retells a story from time to time how it saved Valladolid from vanishing from Negros map due to high flooding during the pre-Spanish era.window.rapplerAds.
displayAd( "middle-2" );window.rapplerAds.displayAd( "mobile-middle-2" );Most of these pasos are owned by the family behind the biggest bus fleet in Southeast Asia – the Yanson Group, the town’s tourism officer, Dinah Deniola-Martinez, said.
San Diego de Alcala Pro-CathedralA standout for its Italian-inspired dome and cupola design, the San Diego Pro-Cathedral in Silay City is the only church of its kind outside Metro Manila, a title formally recognized by the Vatican in 1994.On Good Friday, the church showcases pasos (life-sized religious images) owned by the sugar barons, and the antique collections of the late Josefita Tiongco-Lacson.STANDOUT.
The San Diego de Alcala Pro-Cathedral in Silay stands out for its Italian-inspired architecture featuring rooftop cupolas, and its rich display of pasos during the Lenten parade. courtesy of Solomon LocsinSan Sebastian CathedralCompleted in 1882, the seat of the Diocese of Bacolod commands attention with its Gothic-Romanesque architecture, 46-meter twin spires, and intricate ceiling murals. The entire structure is made of coral stones and contains rich wood carvings and stained-glass windows.
The pasos used during the Lenten parade are mostly silver in color and owned by the wealthy clans in Bacolod such as the Gonzagas, De la Ramas, among others.DIOCESE SEAT. The San Sebastian Cathedral, seat of the Diocese of Bacolod, is one of the most visited churches in the province during Visita Iglesia, drawing pilgrims for its architectural grandeur and spiritual significance.
courtesy of San Sebastian Cathedral-Diocese of BacolodSaint John the Baptist ChurchReferred to as the “handsome” church, this coral-brick edifice in Bago City stands as both a visual marvel and a spiritual fortress.Such is also billed as a fortress to the Christian faith in the southern part of Negros Occidental.window.
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displayAd( "mobile-middle-3" );PROCESSION. The facade of the Saint John the Baptist Church serves as the backdrop to one of the province’s most-attended Lenten processions, highlighted by the towering statue of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, a major crowd drawer. courtesy of Negros Occidental Capitol PIOSaint Nicolas de Tolentino ChurchThe quiet charm of this church in Talisay City lies in its original century-old pasos, known for being shorter in stature and deeply symbolic.
The Saint Nicolas de Tolentino Church is also a keeper of the original century-old pasos – short not tall – by the Diaz and Lacson families.Nuestra Señora de La Paz ChurchBuilt in 1877 through forced labor, this church’s Romanesque style and historical significance make it a class of its own.The Diocese of Bacolod has designated Nuestra Sen̈ora de La Paz as the Pilgrim Church for this year’s Jubilee celebration that will cap on January 6, 2026.
INSIDE. The interior of Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace) Church, designated as the Pilgrim Church by the Diocese of Bacolod for this year’s Jubilee Celebration, reflects its deep spiritual significance. courtesy of La Carlota PNPAs spiritual and cultural landmarks, these churches continue to inspire awe and reverence among locals and pilgrims alike.
Raymond Alunan, operations officer at the Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism Office, told Rappler on Tuesday, April 15, that the traditional Visita Iglesia in the province goes beyond the prayers and celebration of religious faith.It is also revisiting the many centuries-old stories of miracles, tragedies, victories, and even century-old artistry that included old art that Negrenses appreciate, Alunan added.For Jennylind Cordero, chief tourism operations officer at the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas, the consistent, or sustainable religious tourism in Negros Occidental impacts the region by way of attracting special interest groups, who want to have a spiritual experience thru visiting religious places of interest in the province.
So whether you’re seeking solace, stories, or simply awe-inspiring art, these churches offer a journey not just of faith, but of timeless wonder. – Rappler.com.
