Paoay Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
The Paoay Church is included in the Unesco World Heritage list.
Construction of the church started in 1704 and was completed in 1894 by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo.
It is probably the best-known “earthquake Baroque” church in the Philippines. Large coral stones were used for the lower level while bricks were used for the upper levels of the church. The walls are 1.67 meters thick and are supported by 24 carved and massive buttresses.
The Church is a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental designs.
The bell tower near the church, dating from 1793, served as an observation point of the “Katipuneros” during the Philippine Revolution in 1896 and again by the guerrillas during the Japanese occupation.
Where: a few km to the south-west of Laoag.
My rating: 10/10: very impressive church.
Info from: My Sarisari Store
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Jim » August 26th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
nice shot!..
eric aka senor enrique » September 13th, 2006 at 1:53 pm
I love this shot. Beautiful!
neti » January 11th, 2007 at 11:48 am
naka punta na kame dyan!!
catherine » March 20th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
When in Paoay, check out the Herencia Cafè in front of the Paoay church. I hear they serve really good native Ilocano and other Filipino dishes with a twist.
noemie » April 17th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
nices picture… we when there but i didn’t manage to take some picture for we’re in a hurry to see the marcos museum. so just admiring you pic…
Dave » June 21st, 2007 at 2:10 pm
this is my hometown guys….its really beautiful to visit in there…espeacially today because there is a new restaurant called the “Herencia” just in front of the Paoay Church…o well..i wanna go back to my hometown…im in Canada right now…
i miss this place alot!
hunny » July 3rd, 2007 at 11:43 pm
i dreamed of getting married in this church… kaso ang layo eh.. hehe
we’ll visit again this october…
its a nice place
pinx » July 24th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
hey guys,this is my hometown.. our house just infront of the church.. as in sa pangalawang kanto diretso sa main door.. so if ever il get married, hndi ko na kailangan ng bridal car… just need a red carpet from our house to the church then mag ma2rch na lang ako diretso sa altar.. long march… hehe.. saya dba? ka2iba!!
klit » March 23rd, 2008 at 6:04 pm
paoay churh was built for 190 years!!!!!!………..
Daawrin » April 8th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Church of Paoay – Parish founded by Agutinian Missionaries in 1593. Cornerstone of Church laid in 1704, of Convent 1707; of tower 1793. Used before comlepletion an kept in repair by the poeple in joint auspices of the church and the town officails. Inaguration ceremonies, 28 february 1896. Chuch damaged by earthquake was 1706 and 1927. Tower used as observatio post by the katipuneros during the revolution, by guerrilleros during the Japanese occupation.
janice » April 16th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
there’s no place like home.
mary grace » April 16th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
We’ve been to Ilocos for a week now.And we heard that Paoay church was one of the spots to be seen in Ilocos. My friend and i took a shot inside the Paoay church. Infront of the altar there’s an image appeared like an angels. If u wanna see just take a look at my friend’s friendster account (http://www.friendster.com/photos/59978485/1/461477037#pic=7291662721461477037…although it’s blurry u could still see the two angels beside guarding the altar..take a look deeper at it.
MIKE » April 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 am
ang ganda 1st time ko to makita s pic.actually assignment namin to kay sir supendio grabe ang lufetttt..
ok tong project sana papuntahin kami ni sir supendio d2 tapos libre nya kami..heheheheh.
BJ » August 29th, 2008 at 10:04 am
we were able to visit here during my class trip. unfortunately we were only able to admire it from a distance cause a couple was getting married inside. It was so huge. and the cross outside was huge as well. ;chills;
Engelbert Barao » January 5th, 2009 at 9:32 am
this is my hometown, i was in the choir of this church for 16 years, it is really a beautiful church in and out……
Year 1993, when proclaimed as one of the World UNESCO’s heritage site……i will encourage you to come and visit the church..
Benrud Gohing » April 6th, 2009 at 6:50 am
hey! i want to go here! I’m really interested can you teach me how to go there? and what bus i should ride in the bus terminal?
Julian Ferdinand Syah » June 7th, 2009 at 9:33 am
I’m from your neighbor country (Indonesia). I was realy amaze when I saw that picture on the internet. That church remind me of one of the oldest church in Indonesia near to my Grand parent’s home town. This summer Im planing to go there, since I’m already tired of visiting my other neighboring country such as: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. Philippines….Here I come,wait for me..MABUHAY..(Am I spelling it correct?)
gemlyn » July 31st, 2009 at 8:26 pm
nakapunta na ako jan!
kaso sa panaginip lang…..hehehe
i want friends! =)
john mulicha » October 29th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
good evening, iam john mulicha from Nepal iam nepali iam son of jesuse pls can u help me smthing in the name of jesuse? i wanna b good server and to study the hospital science and look through the bible may u search for me sm sponser with agreement for 6/8 years?iam young man of 21 years old pls email me bye ssee u praise the lord..
Crisanto » January 19th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Paoay church… my.dream wedding church.
jestony » February 9th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Paoay church,,,here i met friends from ilocos and they were very kind and cheerful
Niv » March 7th, 2010 at 6:29 am
I love this church as well. For something so old, it held itself pretty well. Nice photo-op. I have a few of them on my site as well.
http://www.nomadniv.com
Check it out!