Guimbal’s old cemetery was built during the mid or late 19th century along the highway, near Gibuangan. A stone wall decorated with ornate iron designs protect the sacred remains of Guimbalanons within.
A churchyard cemetery, claimed to be one of the earliest churchyard cemeteries in the Philippines, is reported to have existed in the south side of the present Roman Catholic church of Guimbal, unfortunately evidences or traces of its existence has not been thoroughly established.
I’m afraid this might not be exactly correct. In my art-historical study of 8 spanish-period stone cemeteries in Iloilo, cemeteries like this of Guimbal’s and the 8 I featured (Oton, Janiuay, Sta. Barbara, Dingle, Cabatuan, Miagao, Pototan, San Joaquin) are later developed, generally built in mid or late 19th century.
The earliest cemeteries were those built beside their corresponding hurches. That’s the meaning of churchyard. Guimbal’s cemetery in Gibuangan is obviously not in the yard of the church. The claim that it’s one of the oldest in the Philippines will not hold water.
But not to despair Guimbalanon’s. One’s heritage structure doesn’t have to be the oldest for it to be valued. The fact that this cemetery is home to the remains of your loved ones is more than enough reason for you to be very proud of it.
That’s exactly the attitude of the San Joaquinhon’s. They didn’t have their cemetery restored for tourism. Tourism is only an offshoot. They had it fixed because it is part of their memory. To them, it is important because it is their concrete link to their beloved.
Hello! Nabasa ko po sa mga town histories ng Iloilo (specifically Guimbal syempre), dun sa library ng Museo Iloilo, na ang original cemetery ng Guimbal daw ay nasa harap ng Catholic church. Dun kaya yun sa plaza? Curious lang!
Nway, sana ay mapreserve ang mga natitirang Spanish colonial structures sa sementeryong yan.
Oh ok, I was wondering about that too when I visited Guimbal. I searched the church on all sides for any remnants of a churchyard cemetery, but I’ve found none. Only a creepy playground on the right side of the church and some ruins on the back side. I even asked some locals if there aare other old cemeteries in Guimbal but they said the only old cemetery is the current one, which is too far from the church to be a churchyard cemtery..
I’ve noted the comments and am going to edit this page