Above: The famous Belfry of Jaro Cathedral stands out against the Iloilo skyline

Tourists and locals never fail to flock to the Jaro Cathedral, one of Iloilo City’s attraction, to marvel at its unique historical and architectural value. The church’s belfry, distinctively unattached to the building itself and is just across the street, had once served as a lookout tower against foreign invaders many years ago. This Baroque style cathedral, combined with Gothic elements was destroyed by a quake in January 1948 but was restored in 1956.

Built in 1964, the Jaro Cathedral is the first and the only cathedral in Panay Island. Graciano Lopez-Jaena, a literary and oratorical spokesman for the cause of Filipino freedom who eventually became a Philippine national hero, was baptized here. The said event is stated on the church’s historical marker. Another major historical event that took place here was the mass officiated by Pope John Paul VI in 1982.

Above: View from the outside of Jaro Cathedral

The cathedral has a balcony at its front portion where a life-size icon of a Madonna and child is placed. Visitors can freely climb the balcony and gaze at the image which is believed to be miraculous. The local churchgoers say that the icon, dressed in cape and encased in glass, has grown larger through the years.

Above: A life-size statue of The Madonna and Child can be glanced at, at the balcony of Jaro Cathedral

Getting to Jaro Cathedral is easy and convenient. It only takes a taxi ride from Iloilo International Airport or from Iloilo Seaport or one could find “Jaro-bound” jeepneys from the main city area that make stops near the cathedral.