Offering
up beautiful landscapes, unique culture, fun-filled festival and adrenaline
pumping activities, it’s not a question of what to see and do in San Joaquin,
rather, it is a question of knowing which sights and experiences simply cannot
be missed.
The
Roman Catholic Church of San Joaquin is
made of gleaming coral stone called “sillar,” shaped in rectangulars of a given
dimension was constructed in 1859 and finished in 1869 is considered as the
most militaristic church in the Philippines. Its unique bas relief sculpture
entitled “Rendicion de Tetuan” which reveals the cavalry and infantry led by
St. James, the Moor-slayer, breaking the Moorish defenses under a minaret tower
against a landscape of date palms. The sculpture is so intricate that even the
expression of wounded soldiers is visible. Skilled masons, famous sculptors and
celebrated painters and craftsmen from Spain and Mexico were employed for the
construction of the church. Father Tomas Santaren, a Spanish priest, built the
church with himself as master architect, assisted by a layman engineer, Don
Felipe Diaz, and with an array of skilled masons, famous sculpture, celebrated
painters and craftsmen from Spain and Mexico. On February 4, 1896, Father
Santaren died and was buried right under the altar of the church. In 1974, the
church was declared a national shrine. In 1982, reconstruction and restoration
of the church was initiated by the National Historical Committee.
The
Roman Catholic Cemetery is known for its Camposanto, a grandiose hexagonal
mortuary chapel elevated on a 20-step stairway flanked a stone balustrade on
both sides. This coral stone walled cemetery with an iron gate is located along
the highway leading to the town center.
Before you enter the cemetery and go beyond its gate intricate design,
welcomes you with its catchy phrase attached to the arched iron grill above the
main gate saying “What you are I was. What I am, you will be.” The two pillars
supporting the decorative archway were ornately carved with flowers and
tendrils showing the influence of Gothic architecture.
The
town is an important ecotourism destination for a quality diving, swimming,
snorkelling and aquatic study activities. Due to its array of fish varieties
and species of invertebrates, plants and micro-organisms, the town has
identified networks of Marine Protected
Areas places along its coasts that protect its municipal’s incredible variety
of marine life and help sustain its communities. As an important maritime area,
San Joaquin has a special responsibility for the conservation and management of
its marine and coastal environment and its resources. In order to establish a
representative network of marine protected areas, San Joaquin’s marine
environment has been classified and a range of habitats and ecosystems were
represented.
Of
the 15 Marine Protected Areas that spans from it first Barangay nearing the
border of the neighboring province of Antique, the Kulyatan Marine Sanctuary in
barangay Sinogbuhan and the Bugnayan Point Marine Sanctuary and Park in the
bordering Barangays of Lawigan and Igcadlum are two of the more popular and
frequently visited MPAs of this town.
The
scenic viewing decks of Kulyatan can be reached through bamboo bridges
suspended in between huge coral rocks connecting it from the main areas. The
site has a floating cottage, cottages for overnight stay, mini pavilion,
refreshment huts and tourist information center. An environmental fee of P50.00
in charged upon entrance. Life vests and snorkeling gears are also for
rent. The Bugnayan Point Marine
Sanctuary and Park’s most recognizable landmark is its rock formations. The
rock formations are placed in such close proximity in a land area of 2,000
square meters. A few well-constructed steps will take you straight to the park.
The rock formations do not only add aesthetics to the landscape but also
provide excellent vantage points from which to better view the coastline.
Garinfarm
is an inland resort that has all the adventure you need on agriculture, leisure
and pilgrimage. It offers extensive farm
attractions open to the public. These inland resort offer unique experiences to
see, feel, and taste agriculture at its source. It has a lot of activities and
is great for friends and families especially the children. Enjoy gorgeous
mountain views while hiking up to and down from its 480-step viewing deck at
the base of its 100-feet Blazing Cross. On your way to the steps from the main
base, you will see nine life-sizes religious scenes from Creation until the
Ascension of Christ. Visitors can also avail of golf carts on their way to and
from the viewing deck. It is situated in Purok 11, poblacion and opens daily
from 8 am until 9 pm. Jeepneys from the city bring their passengers direct to
the entrance of the resort
Bandi
is the perfect sweet snack is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth in no time.
Bandi, is a delicious candy made of peanuts with caramelized brown sugar topped
with sesame seeds. Peanuts make a
classic brittle. The traditional way of making it is by heating a big saucepan
then put-in sugar, water, and a little salt. Stir and bring to a boil till it
caramelizes. Add the peanuts (toasted) then stir using a wooden spoon.
Immediately remove the pan from the heat.
Quickly spoon out bite-size pieces onto the layers of banana leaves that
serve as its tray. Then allow to cool
during which they solidify. They are crunchy, sweet, aromatic, with loads of
peanuts and sinfully decadent and addictive. This popular livelihood endeavour
is ideal in the provinces’ peanut producing areas. Barangay Qui-anan in is the
home of Bandi, banana chips and bucayo
San
Joaquin is a 2nd Class municipality and is 85 kilometers south from Iloilo
City. It is the last town south of the province. It has a land area of 23,135
hectares subdivided into 85 barangays. It annually celebrates its patronal
fiesta every January 3 in honour of San Joaquin. Market days are every
Wednesdays and Fridays.
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