Panay is a
third class municipality in the province of Capiz. The historic town was
established by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi during the Spanish colonization period.
The Island of Panay is home to centuries-old churches. One of the heritage town's most popular
attraction is the Sta. Monica Parish Church.
The Sta.
Monica Parish Church was built in 1774 and it is one of the oldest in the Philippines.
It's famous with its signature baroque architecture. The church is built of
coral blocks and is approximately 70 meters long, 25 meters in width and 18
meters in height, the walls are about 3 meters thick. The well-known sixteenth-century
church has a 5- storey belfry which houses a gigantic bell which is considered
the "biggest Catholic Church bell in Asia."
Known to
the locals as “Dakong Lingganay”, the famous bell was casted from 70 sacks of
silver and gold coins donated by the townsfolk in 1878 during the time of
Father Jose Beloso. The bell measures at 7 feet in diameter and 5 feet in
height and with a weight of 10.4 tons. The sound of the bell can be heard
within 8 kilometers from the church.
A spanish
inscription is engraved on the bell's face which says Soy la voz de Dios que ilevarey ensalzare desde el principio hasta el
fin de este pueblo de Panay para que los fieles de Jesus vengan e esta casa de
Dios a recibit las gracias celestials. It means "I am God's voice
which I shall echo and praise from one end to the other of the town of Panay,
so that the faithful followers of Christ may come to this house of God to
receive heavenly grace." From the belfry, one can also see the overlooking
view of Panay town proper.
The church
is made of coral stones, with a facade accentuated with pillars and decorated
with statues of Augustinian saints St. Thomas de Villanueva and Sta. Monica
flanked on niches. In fact, the church was declared a national historical landmark
by the National Historical Institute. On the right side of the church is the
Parish convent and museum. It is built in the tradition of Spanish colonial structure.
Also various church memorabilia and artifacts are housed inside the museum.
A replica
of the Dakong Lingganay is built outside the museum. The entrance door of Panay
Church has a floral designs sculptured with complexity and hard wood. Inside
the church is an impressive high-ceiling with chandeliers and a black and white
marble flooring, forming a cross which leads to the altar.
Panay town
holds one of the richest heritage and culture in our country. Visiting the
place will give you a glimpse of what pre-twenty first century looks like. As
the face of Panay, the Sta. Monica Church that houses the biggest church bell
in Asia is a must-see attraction and will always be worth traveling for.
