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June 10, 2010

SAN JOAQUIN'S ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

When I visited San Joaquin last year, I was so amazed with its architectural heritage.   San Joaquin is the last town in the  first district of Iloilo.  It's church is one of the most impressive works of art in terms of architectural design indeed.  Skilled masons, famous sculptors, celebrated painters and craftsmen from Spain and Mexico were employed to translate the brilliant ideas of Fr. Tomas Santaren, the master architect.  Behind the appearance of this impressive masterpiece is a story of suffering.  Forced labor was employed in the building and gathering of materials.




These two sculptured bulls found in the plaza of San Joaquin symbolize the Pasungay festival.  This spectacular and exciting event find its origin on a hillside in one of the inland barangays when resting farmers witness for the first time the fight between the two bulls, set loose by their herdsmen.  It caught the fancy of the barangays folks and since then, has become a popular entertainment in the most barangay fiestas.  Prized bulls from the different barangays fight amidst wild cheering from spectators.




This is the classical motif architectural designs of the San Joaquin cemetery's chapel.  It was a small customary place where the dead was blessed but it's closed now.  It's a octagonal structure inside the cemetery.  It is one of the most beautiful  mortuary chapels in the Philippines.  The San Joaquin cemetery was built in 1892, by the way.

This week FSO's photo theme is Public art by Barry and Linda.

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17 comments:

NanU said...

Nice shootout, Redlan. My favorite is of the bulls! Looks like you could get up & ride them, if you dared trample the landscaping.

Kerry said...

How interesting! This lends new meaning to the words "bull fight." That statue is magnificent.

Kim, USA said...

Beautiful story and great shot! Happy Friday!


Public Art

Jama said...

Interesting public art!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Is the Spanish influence still very dominant in the Philipines?

Bagman and Butler said...

Interesting history behind the pictures...I almost expected the bulls to move.

Barry said...

Loved all of it, Redlan, but the bull fight was terrific.

A Scattering said...

I like how nature is part of the art in the third shot - bits of plants growing out of a crack in the window trim and the bricks above. Lovely

Cheryl said...

I especially like the third as well. I love that piece of foliage so green and alive next to the ancient window and building's texture.

Great shoot-out.

Sue McPeak said...

Thank you so much for the wonderful photographs and history of San Joaquin. So rich in architecutral detail and history. Super ShootOut post.

Anonymous said...

Amazing architecture in those photographs. Great FSO.
QMM

nuts said...

weeeee.. bagong bihis!! ang ganda!

shabby girl said...

Beautiful architecture! Love that last photo! So much history there.

J9 said...

Great shots and story too Redlan!

Allen said...

eto ba yung Campo Santo kuya rod? really nice!

and lol at the pasungay. hahaha. poor carabaos. :))

Pauline said...

Loved your historic public art. Those bulls are beautiful!

onyxx said...

oh, so do you visit iloilo often? the architectural marvels there are dominated by churches (the standout ones are those in miagao and jaro) and a few venerable residences. somehow these pictures make me feel nostalgic