It was a sunny morning when I
decided to visit the two southwestern towns of Iloilo, San Joaquin and Miagao.
These two share famous historical landmarks worth visiting. Starting with the farthest
one:
San Joaquin is the southernmost municipality of Iloilo,
home of National Cultural Treasure
church Saint Joachim Parish. It is
recognize by National Historical Institute as a remarkable church with unique
pediment depicting Spanish victory over Moors in the Battle of Tetuan.
The intricate bas relief was carved
out of limestone surface. Main entrance is flanked by statues of Saint Peter
and Saint Francis of Assisi.
Patron saint stands in the main
altar made of marble pillars.
The church stands before the town
plaza, where municipal hall and central school stand adjacent to each other.
Few kilometers from the town
center, you can see the camposanto or
San Joaquin Cemetery along the highway. Its grand jewel is the baroque mortuary
chapel standing above the flight of steps.
It was a great work of art, seeing
that these heritage structures stood the test of time for us to appreciate its
beauty. That’s what we call, dark tourism.
This has been defined as tourism involving travel to places historically associated
with death and tragedy, like cemeteries. 
Hailing a jeepney from San Joaquin,
I went to the next town famous for its fortress church, Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish. This massive church is one of the
four Baroque Churches of the Philippines, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
The main altar in gold paint complements
the yellowish limestone walls similar to San Joaquin’s. 
Asymmetrical belfries flank the
main gate with bas relief of Saint Christopher carrying the Child Jesus on his
shoulder, with coconut tree in the center of pediment. It exudes a mix of
Spanish and native influences.
On the other side of the highway is
the spacious town plaza with old canons and plant of Miagao’s origin.
Going back to Iloilo City, I rode a
jeepney parked at a terminal near the plaza. I passed by colonial churches of Tigbauan and Guimbal but I need to catch up on exploring Villa Arevalo district. Maybe someday, I'll pay them a visit.
What I didn’t know is that hit the
road so fast that you need to grip the handbars or else, you’ll fly away. I
couldn’t sleep.
Anyways, what a joyful ride indeed! Maayong biyahe!
