{travel} Baclayon Church – Bohol, Philippines

There are many things happening beyond our control. Life is fragile and our future is unpredictable. Just like what happened last week in Bohol and Cebu. A massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake caused a lot of destruction, killing people. I was there. I experienced it… and the many aftershocks thereafter. That was the worst earthquake I’ve ever experienced! It happened early morning around 8AM and I was still asleep. I woke up and wondered if I was dreaming. My bed was shaking… everything was shaking! I thought it will only last for a few seconds… I was wrong. My parents went out for an early swim and I was alone. I was worried not only for myself but also for them. I did not move. I guess my senses and instincts were a bit slow. Instead of going outside I just sat there and waited until it stopped… and it did. I felt a sigh of relief.

Many were thankful it happened on a holiday, no work, no classes, on a weekday, no mass and in the morning. A lof of buildings were damaged and sadly, century old churches in Bohol were destroyed. One of which was Baclayon Church or The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines founded in 1596 and declared as a National Historic Treasure in 1995.

Just last month, I went here on a trip with my two friends. We were lucky to have seen it before the tragic earthquake. I felt bad for my parents though. I returned to Bohol to shoot an intimate wedding. I tagged them along so I can tour them around on one of my free days and to also celebrate my mom’s birthday. Though I wasn’t able to tour them, I still thank God it did not happen on the day of our scheduled tour and for keeping all of us safe.

Did you notice something on the right photo? Another angle on the photo below.

I love the light coming from the colored glass windows. Change your angle and you will capture a different color.

I also like the effect it gives on one of the chairs.

The view across the church.

I hope our government can restore back the beauty of this church and help the Boholanons rise back up.
God bless everyone!

This is part of our Cebu-Bohol Itinerary series.