Churces & Shrines: September 2008

Parish Church of San Mattias in Tumanuini, Isabela was built in the 1780s by the Dominicans. This is a well-preserved church in Isabela, the best and most artistic brick structure in the Philippines and maybe in the whole world. The intricate arrangement of bricks, carefully laden in the walls of the church is evident in the church itself. The cylindrical bell tower was added to served as watch tower during the Spaniard's time. the statute of Sto. Niño at the front of the Church were already damaged due to typhoon and calamities for hundreds of years, yet remains standing. Sitting from the inside of the Church to pray, you can feel the aura dating back to almost six (6) centuries. The "Jewel of the Valley, this is how Benito Legarda described St. Mathias Church. "The abundant ornamentation is seemingly overwhelming to the untrained eyes that it is easy to miss the fine details that give life to the facade. Perhaps one must take moments of repose to scen the welath of each red clay, brick and discover the trimmings of flowers folliage, swag and angel faces . . ." as described by Roger Gaspar in hi column at Philippine Estate Magazine March - April 1996 issue.