Paoay Church

Background

Paoay Church also known as Saint Augustine Church is a world cultural heritage site located in the municipality of Paoay in the province of Ilocos Norte. It is one of the four baroque churches in the Philippines which was included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 1993 and is considered one of the oldest churches in the country. The other three baroque churches in the Philippines are the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, the Santa Maria Church in Ilocos Sur, and Miagao Church in Iloilo. Paoay Church exhibits an extraordinary unique fusion of European baroque style and Southeast Asian elements featuring expansive buttresses on the back and side of the church as reinterpreted by Filipino and Chinese craftsmen.

The baroque style is also equipped with Gothic and oriental influences as seen in the pavement, gables, and carvings on its wall. Furthermore, the church facade exudes Javanese architecture reminiscent of the Borobudur Temple in Central Java, and its details are inspired by the seal of Saint Augustine, the emblem of the King of Spain, the logo of the Pope, the “init-tao” or the sun god and stylized Chinese clouds. Paoay Church has a length of 110 meters and a width of 40 meters and is imposing a pyramid-like structure. It is ten kilometers away from the Malacanang of the North and sixty kilometers away from the historic Vigan City.

According to its illustrious history, Paoay Church was constructed by the Augustinian missionaries from the year 1694 up to 1719 during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines. The church was made up of huge coral stones, eggshells, stucco, brick, wood, and tree resins. The cornerstone and the convent of the church were laid in the year 1704 up to 1707 while the foundation of the bell tower was laid in 1793. The three-story bell tower of the Paoay Church was deliberately separated from the church structure in order to it won’t cause damage to other things if it falls. It was used before completion and kept in repair by the people under the joint auspices of the church and the town officials. The church was completed and consecrated in 1894 under the leadership of Augustinian friar Antonio Estavillo and the formal inauguration ceremonies were held in the year 1896.

During the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish rulers, the bell tower of the church was used as a lookout tower observation post by the Katipuneros to warn of the arrival of enemies by ringing a bell. In the year 1927, the church was partially damaged by a strong earthquake. Nonetheless, it was used again as an observation deck by the Filipino guerrilla during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in the 1940s. Fast forward, in the year 1993, the Paoay Church was inscribed on the world heritage list pursuant to the 1972 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ) Convention concerning the protection of the world’s cultural and natural heritage. It is said that the church possesses an exceptional universal value that deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity.

Paoay Church has 24 staircase-like buttresses with 1.67 meters thick bound on both sides of the church and it serves as a notable earthquake protection throughout the years. Several times the church was slightly destroyed by the earthquake but it remains standing to this day. Presently, Paoay Church is one of the most significant churches in the Philippines as it symbolized the earthquake baroque architecture in the Philippines, and it’s a national cultural treasure that Filipinos can be proud of. Therefore, if you plan to have a long vacation in the Ilocos region, include Paoay Church in your detailed itinerary.

Name: Paoay Church
Location: Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Features: historical baroque church

My trip to Paoay Church

It was Sunday late morning around 11 am when our group checked out at the J&M Transient House in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and after that, we decided to have lunch at the JDS Eatery in the municipality of Pasuquin. Afterward, we continue our road trip going to the next destination in our Ilocos tour. It was 2:36 pm when we arrived at the parking area near the Paoay Church.

As soon as we go out of the van and start walking, I noticed the three-story coral stone bell tower standing just a few meters away from the pyramidal design church. Then as I move across the grass field I discern the sizeable Paoay signage on the left side where visitors enjoy taking solo and group shots. For this reason, we have to wait for a few minutes to have our turn.

While waiting I look around and noticed that the place is so serene, neat, and well-maintained. Also, the church looks lovely and awesome from a distance and I said to myself that the Philippines has really a lot of historical churches scattered all over the archipelago. Anyway, we have our solo and group pictures taken at the Paoay signage with the background of the historical and gorgeous Paoay Church.

Afterward, we move closer to the interior of the church and I found out the floor is tiled and the massiveness of the structure is balanced by its grace and fluidity. I must say that the church is so solemn and broad and I was truly in love with the beauty of the church even though it’s several hundred years old already.

Then I can see some spots where lighting candle racks can be used for prayers for their loved ones. Also, the church facade is so unique and still intact in spite of many earthquakes that occurred in the Ilocos region. I love all the details of the art and historic vibe of this religious place as it definitely an architectural wonder in the Philippines and a good heritage site to visit. As a result, we stay at the Paoay Church for thirty-five minutes. After exploring the place we eat a mouthwatering ice scramble and it reminds me of my high school days. Undoubtedly, this trip really left an indelible mark on my heart and soul.

How to Go to Paoay Church

By commute

From Laoag City, ride a jeep or tricycle going to Paoay.
Then tell the driver to alight you at Paoay Church. The travel time is twenty minutes.

By private car

From Vigan City, pass through the MacArthur Highway and Currimao – Paoay – Suba – Balacao Road.
Then turn left at Marcos Avenue and from there you’ll be able to see friendly signs directing you to the Paoay Church.

Reminders and Tips:

Observe silence at all times and no eating inside the church. Also, take your hats off inside the church as a sign of respect.

Mass etiquette should be properly observed while inside the church such as dressing modestly and appropriately and respecting boundaries others may have.

Place all trash in the proper container and let us all be one in keeping the sacredness of the church.

No pets and no bicycles inside the church compound.

No loitering or lingering in the church compound for no distinct reason beyond 8 pm.

The visiting hours in Paoay Church are from 8 am to 11:55 am and from 1:30 pm up to 5 pm.

There are a lot of eateries and shop near the church where you can buy food, refreshment, and souvenirs.

There you have it, folks. Let us live a holy life, let us give them a part of ourselves and a life with compassion to others. Thoroughly, I aspire that this Paoay Church blog has been commendatory to you, and thank you for stopping by my travel blog.