Guimbal Church

San Nicolas De Tolentino Parish Church, so said my guide. But easier for me to remember "Guimbal Church"! In fact I totally forgot the San Nicolas thing, but good I had some little notes on my phone, that made me recall the name San Nicolas De Tolentino hehe!

I have seen this church while at the town plaza earlier. I thought this was real big because the belfry was like tall and big! But its not a huge church after all. Cute in fact!
plaza and entrance of Guimbal Church Iloilo

Guide told me this is one of the oldest churches on the island. Many times damaged by war and calamity but always repaired to its usual religious grandeur by the townsfolk.

Going inside... this was my view upon entering the main entrance...
inside view from entrance of Guimbal Church Iloilo
There is some kind of an "ante-room" defined by that arch and the two holy water fonts, before you actually emerge at the real inside of the church. I have seen this in many churches. This is usually because above this low ceiling is the choir and/or band loft.

My first impression was: This is very different from the Tigbauan Church!
inside view of Guimbal Church Iloilo
The interiors are in stark contrast with that previous church. This one is more peaceful, serene. Your brain does not have to process too many distractions other than PRAY.

Like earlier (at Tigbauan), on the midway aisle I turned around to see this...
preist's view and choir loft of Guimbal Church Iloilo
The priest's view, as they say.

Then onwards to the altar...
altar of Guimbal Church Iloilo
Simple but solemn, right?!

Okay, some of you may want to debate my point of view on church interiors. All I can say is, to each his own. Basta, para sa akin, I can not concentrate on my intention to pray, if there are so many "artworks" past or present surrounding me. Ano ba kasi ang loob ng simbahan, art museum o display center o "simbahan"? That is why I liked this one!

And, I loved this even more... children at play outside the church.
children playing outside the Guimbal Church Iloilo
Get children near the church as young as can be, if only, para 'wag makalimot!

Now this one is most notable... the biggest "Adoration Chapel" I have ever seen!
big and beautiful adoration chapel at Guimbal Church Iloilo
Yes, the Guimbal Church itself may be small compared to others, but just outside is their adoration chapel, that is even bigger than many rural churches I have seen hehe!

Alright, related to the church and munisipyo but way out, is my next stop. Come with me!

==========================================
 Click these numbers for a chronology of my notes:
01   02   03   04   05   06   07   08   09   10
11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20
21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30
31   32   33   34   35   36  Thirty six stories
==========================================
Or just click "Newer Post" or "Older Post" below.



Previous
Next

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE BOULEVARD, Surigao City

Image
Virtually everyone in Surigao City is related to this boulevard directly or indirectly! It's such a big thing , they even have a Surigao City Boulevard Development Program and a Surigao City Development Authority . I'm not joking. Those are for real. As in! Involved in it are not only their local politicians but also the chambers of commerce. What is it anyway? Foremost it's a 1.8 kilometer stretch of a highway along the seafront. The concrete pavement tells me it is still new. That is it! Walang basagan ng trip! It is an emulation (kumbaga sa Tagalog pa: gaya-gaya ) of Roxas Boulevard in Manila, or pwede rin Dumaguete’s Rizal Boulevard - and many other seafront boulevards. Aside from being a “park” for the residents, it is supposed to be an attraction in the city, showcasing whatever bla-blah-blah to attract tourists from everywhere on earth. While I was inclined to raise my eyebrows, it did attract me. I was a tourist, right?! So okay, without a speck of d
Read more

Balantak Falls

Image
I haven't heard about this waterfall until I was already moments away from being there! And I have no regrets whatsoever. Ah, sometimes, beautiful surprises do happen to my itchy feet. Sometimes haha! For me who had seen many a waterfall, this one would seem nothing to shout to the world about. But being there was mesmerizingly refreshing enough. How tall is it? I'm not sure, but see my habal-habal driver on lower ground and compare his height to that of the waterfall. You should get a hint, at least! Discovering Balantak Falls How I found-out about Balantak Falls ! I was in Brgy. Guirang (pronounced gi-rung) in Basey Samar, for another round of "work-related work"! While walking-around by the entrance to the barangay's main residential area, I happened to see this: A fairly new hut and open on all sides, so I asked them what it is. They said it's a waiting shed. I asked further 'who would wait here' since I knew there are no commuter jeeps in t
Read more

Pink Sisters, My Cebu Experience

Image
What place comes to mind when you hear the phrase "Pink Sisters"? Hmm, yes, Baguio, then Tagaytay - in that order, right?! But did you know there is also such a monastery in Cebu? Ah, well, not really Cebu City since it is already a few steps away from the boundary. It is in Mandaue City. Yep, that is the 'Adoration Convent of Divine Peace' - a monastery for nuns clad in pink habit, reason why its called 'pink-sisters' and I think you know all about that part, right?! Anyway, this convent (and chapel of course - that's my topic in the first place) sits in an urban neighborhood that is by the boundary of two barangays both named Banilad. Yep, Barangay Banilad, Cebu City and Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City! And that is along AS Fortuna Ave., - the famed strip where many notable restaurants and branches of virtually every bank in this country are located with or without ATMs! Oh yes, as of this writing, AS Fortuna has four hotels, two of them new - and am only
Read more