For many who visit
southern Iloilo, it is its amazing historic attractions that intrigues them. And if you are dreaming of visiting one of those
picture-perfect towns filled with old-world charm, serene scenic beauty, or
perhaps both, the town of Miagao is everything in between. Explore the entire historic circuit around and do not forget to bring
your camera as the different attractions around each bend all make for
excellent photo opportunities.
Miagao, a town 40.5 kilometers away or an hour and
fifteen-minute ride from Iloilo City is full of historical sites. This coastal town, once a subject of
frequent Muslim raid in the 17th century has a sprawling bed of
ruins that included remains of the earliest watchtowers and bridges. But
since there are so many, how do you know which are the more popular and are
worth your visit?
If you want to see many of the town’s historical
structures, start at Taytay Boni in Barangay Guibongan,
a kilometer away from the town proper. The small narrow bridge, now in ruins,
is made of yellow coral stone blocks each measuring 12 inches long, six inches
wide and three inches thick. It was constructed in 1854 connecting the town to its
neighboring barangays. Measuring approximately 43.81 meters long and 6.71
meters wide with walls six meters high and a meter thick, it was named after
Boni Neular, the construction foreman and major carpenter. It was still used
after World War II but was damaged in the 1948 Lady Kaykay earthquake that
resulted to the destruction of its middle part and the crumbling of its walls.
When you get to the town proper, a must-see is
the magnificent St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Church. It is the only
UNESCO World Heritage Church in the entire Visayas and Mindanao. Already the
third structure, the first two structures were a chapel built in 1741 in Sitio
Ubos beside Tumagbok River and another built in 1747 were both burned by the
Muslim pirates, the latter during a battle in Miagao. Thirty years later, in
1786, the present church was constructed and finished in 1797 in Tacas. Made of huge stone blocks
quarried in Sitio Tubog in San Joaquin and in the mountains of Igbaras, it
boasts of its native façade, a unique explosion of botanical motif with
coconut, banana, papaya and a guava tree. Its centerpiece is San Cristobal in
rolled pants carrying the child Jesus. Below it is a niche where the statue of
St. Thomas of Villanova stands. The church was strong that it withstood the
earthquake in December of 1855 and the powerful “Lady Kaykay” in 1948. In February 16, 1963 a
historical marker by the National Historical Institute was placed on the church
and was declared a National Shrine through Presidential Decree No. 260, dated
August 1, 1973. In 1993 it was included in the World Heritage List.
Baybay Norte, located
4.3 kilometer from the town hall is known for its ruined Spanish fortress
converted into a Barangay Multi-Purpose Hall in 1994. The KOTA, made of coral rocks and limestone was believed to have been
constructed in 1760 on a higher ground away from the coastline. The site served
as the town’s first line of defense against Muslim pirates. It was in May of
1754 when Moros, riding 21 caracoas (pirate fleets) raided the area.
Another
point of historical interest in the area is the ruins of a capilla of the Roman
Catholic Cemetery made of limestone and red bricks.
A
few meters outside the town center is Barangay Bulho where the beautiful Sulu
Garden is located. It is a famous attraction where Fine cuisine, Arts, Crafts and
Sciences blend perfectly to its scenic garden of Philippine and Japanese
landscapes.
It is the best place in Miagao to experience dining with venues for art shows
and games, offering unique enjoyment like fish ponds, fish foot spa, the
must-see miniature architectures, aquaponics, butterfly breeding, collection of paintings, vintage
handcrafted chess board, model boats, and bamboo crafts. Sitting hidden on a creek in the shadow of
trees is another historic structure known as the Britanico Bridge that still has a haunting Spanish flavor and a mystical
feeling. The roman-arched stone bridge was believed to have been built in 1873.
Five kilometers west
from the town is Barangay Damilisan is a farm lot where the ruined Baluarte, BALUARTE DE DAMILISAN, the site of a
strong piratical raid took place in the late 17th century.
Miagao, with its rich and colorful history is one
of the best places to base your heritage tour. This picturesque, storybook town with such
tranquil surroundings is a particularly charming place to visit. Visiting the
town, you might just feel as if you have been instantly transported to its
glorious past. It can be a departure hub for short historic tours to neighboring
towns in this side of the province.
It
is bounded by the town of Igbaras in the northeast, by Guimbal in the east, by
San Joaquin in the west and by the municipality of Sibalom in the province of
Antique in the northwest. It has a land area of 13, 286 hectares that is
politically subdivided into 119 barangays; 22 from the coastal area and 97 from
landlocked areas.
Miagao,
a First Class Municipality It is bounded by the town of Igbaras in the
northeast, by Guimbal in the east, by San Joaquin in the west and by the
municipality of Sibalom in the province of Antique in the northwest. It has a
land area of 13, 286 hectares that is politically subdivided into 119
barangays; 22 from the coastal area and 97 from landlocked areas. It is
populated by 67, 565 (2015 Census on Population) Miagaowanons. Market day is
every Saturday. It annually celebrates its Religious Fiesta every 22nd
of September in honor of St. Thomas of Villanova.
To
get to Miagao, one can take a jeepney at the Don Benito Q. Acap Sr. Southern
Iloilo Perimeter Boundary Terminal in Barangay Mohon, Oton, Iloilo or at the
Iloilo Terminal Market in Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala I, Iloilo City.
