STA. MONICA PARISH CHURCH
Sta. Monica - home of the biggest bell in Asia
The church, a grand structure made of coral stone is 70 m long 25 m wide and 18 m high. The walls are three meters thick; the floor is covered with marble. Its structure is shaped in the Latin cross with one large central altar and four lateral ones, each one fitted with gorgeously decorated and gilded retablos of hardwood, decorated with various polychromed statues of high artistic quality. According to Claporals, artisan from Manila Fashioned the Baroque decorations, set in silver, of the main altar. The town's greatest sculptor, Joseph Bergano or Sarhento Itak, did most of the bas-reliefs and religious statuary. According to Claparols, the completion of the church in 17174 was hailed by the whole town as a great event.
Unlike its Baroque interior, facade of the church is simply decorated by pillars and horizontal ledges with niches for the life-sized statues of the Augustinian saints, Tomas de Villanueva and Monica. The five-story belfry is the center of curiously because of its unusually huge bell-cast in the 19th century from 70 sacks of coins donated by the townsfolk. It measures seven feet in diameter, five feet in height and weighs 10,400 kilograms. The people of the town affectionately call it "Dakung Lingganay, Hiligaynon for"big bell.
The bell was cast by Don Juan Reina, who had settled in IloIlo City's J.M. Basa Street in 1868 and there established his blacksmith and casting shop. When the belfry was being constructed, Fr. Jose Beloso sent for him. With just few rudimentary tools, Reina set up temporary shop at the foot of the town and hurried with the casting of the bell. When the bell was tried during the Angelus, the sound was so loud that"every nearby town heard the voice of the bell of Panay.
In a month's time, the bell cracked. From then on, it sounded more like a frying pan than a bell. Furious, the priest summoned Don Juan Reina and ordered him to have the bell recast, for free. Don Juan, who had the temper of a genuine baturro (country man from Aragon) would have none of it. Fr. Beloso no less stubborn appealed to Bishop Cuartero who, after a heated discussion with the blacksmith, sent a circular to all the priests of the Island, prohibiting them from contracting any job to Don Juan.
The deadlock was broken in a very strange manner. Bishop Cuartero would spend long sleepless nights due to a chronic toothache. Ironically, the only dentist who could help him was no other than Don Juan, the blacksmith! Don Juan was sent for, and the bishop meekly submitted himself to have his tooth pulled out. The sacamuelas, as Don Juan was called, laughingly relished the great opportunity.
The roof of the church was blown away by the typhoon on March 5, 1874. Another typhoon on January 17, 1875 toppled the transept. Fr. Lesmes Perez had it beautifully repaired in 1895. The ruined convent has never been rebuilt.
This church has been called"an excellent example" of the type of Filipino colonial Baroque style that has blended well with the Neo Classic influence.
The church, a grand structure made of coral stone is 70 m long 25 m wide and 18 m high. The walls are three meters thick; the floor is covered with marble. Its structure is shaped in the Latin cross with one large central altar and four lateral ones, each one fitted with gorgeously decorated and gilded retablos of hardwood, decorated with various polychromed statues of high artistic quality. According to Claporals, artisan from Manila Fashioned the Baroque decorations, set in silver, of the main altar. The town's greatest sculptor, Joseph Bergano or Sarhento Itak, did most of the bas-reliefs and religious statuary. According to Claparols, the completion of the church in 17174 was hailed by the whole town as a great event.
Unlike its Baroque interior, facade of the church is simply decorated by pillars and horizontal ledges with niches for the life-sized statues of the Augustinian saints, Tomas de Villanueva and Monica. The five-story belfry is the center of curiously because of its unusually huge bell-cast in the 19th century from 70 sacks of coins donated by the townsfolk. It measures seven feet in diameter, five feet in height and weighs 10,400 kilograms. The people of the town affectionately call it "Dakung Lingganay, Hiligaynon for"big bell.
The bell was cast by Don Juan Reina, who had settled in IloIlo City's J.M. Basa Street in 1868 and there established his blacksmith and casting shop. When the belfry was being constructed, Fr. Jose Beloso sent for him. With just few rudimentary tools, Reina set up temporary shop at the foot of the town and hurried with the casting of the bell. When the bell was tried during the Angelus, the sound was so loud that"every nearby town heard the voice of the bell of Panay.
In a month's time, the bell cracked. From then on, it sounded more like a frying pan than a bell. Furious, the priest summoned Don Juan Reina and ordered him to have the bell recast, for free. Don Juan, who had the temper of a genuine baturro (country man from Aragon) would have none of it. Fr. Beloso no less stubborn appealed to Bishop Cuartero who, after a heated discussion with the blacksmith, sent a circular to all the priests of the Island, prohibiting them from contracting any job to Don Juan.
The deadlock was broken in a very strange manner. Bishop Cuartero would spend long sleepless nights due to a chronic toothache. Ironically, the only dentist who could help him was no other than Don Juan, the blacksmith! Don Juan was sent for, and the bishop meekly submitted himself to have his tooth pulled out. The sacamuelas, as Don Juan was called, laughingly relished the great opportunity.
The roof of the church was blown away by the typhoon on March 5, 1874. Another typhoon on January 17, 1875 toppled the transept. Fr. Lesmes Perez had it beautifully repaired in 1895. The ruined convent has never been rebuilt.
This church has been called"an excellent example" of the type of Filipino colonial Baroque style that has blended well with the Neo Classic influence.
