The militaristic motif of the San Joaquin Church distinguishes itself from other churches in the Country. Carved on a disproportionately large pediment on the church’s facade is an intricate sculptural relief depicting the Spanish victory over Moroccan forces in the Battle of Tetuan.
The low relief mural captures the drama of victory where cavalry and infantry are tearing down Moorish defense. So intricate is the sculpture that even the expression of agony by wounded soldiers is visible. The title of the composition “Rendicion de Tetuan” is carved at the base of this animated relief.
The unique features of the San Joaquin Church has received the admiration of its onlookers including the National Historical Institute, which has listed the church as a National Cultural Treasure. The declaration was made in support of the state policy to preserve and protect important cultural properties and safeguard their intrinsic value.
The San Joaquin Church, built in 1869, is made of limestones quarried from the mountains of Igbaras and gleaming white coral stones abundant in the shores of San Joaquin. The facade is decorated with rosettes and divided vertically by engaged columns. A plaque above the arched portal displays the Augustinian seal flanked by cherubs. The three altars are also of carved limestone, and were originally painted in bright colors. The San Joaquin Church is flanked by a three story bell tower to its right and ruins of its old convent to its left. Among the sprawling ruins of the convent are an oval well and a kiln for baking bread.
The church magnificently stands on a plain overlooking the sea and is located beside San Joaquin’s town plaza. To learn how to get to San Joaquin, Click Here.
one of the grandest not just in the visayas but in the whole country!
a must-see for every visitor who comes to Iloilo. get inside this church and see the baptistry showcasing the baptism of Jesus by St. John, and look at the stained glass windows at the side of the altar.
One more thing, go up the belfry and you can see the entire San Joaquin poblacion (town proper), the southern mountains and the southern coast of Panay overlooking Panay Gulf. Up the belfry are the huge old church bells with Spanish inscriptions…
ka nami gid man san picture sang facade sang simbahan kag very historical. Ang sulod nya, as seen in the pictures exhibitted is somewhat modern. Nice pictures.
ive been to this church today and i simply am dumbfounded of its architecture. i like its baptistry specially and the depiction of the tetuan war. awesome. i am coming back!!!
ipabugal ko guid ang san joaquin church ky dira ako nabata….. na best and one of the oldest church in iloilo…. irinimaw taton regya sa san joaquin…
My Grand Farther Alway Talked about the town of illo
The church is beutiful
I am the grandson Of the Late Jose Rosadio.
Hello, Joseph. What is your present address? Your Lolo was my neighbor when we were here in San Joaquin.
Mr. Francis Salcedo
Jose Rosadio was my uncle..uncle jose Died in the united states..May he rest in peace…
hi! nice blog you have here. i wanted to know how exactly can i get to san joaquin coming from Iloilo City by PUJ/bus. I can’t find the information on your site even with the link supplied. i’m in an early stage planning a return trip there (official) with sidetrips to miag-ao then san joaquin (church and cemetery)
thanks
Sorry about that, I still havent finished the site. You can get to San Joaquin by riding a San Joaquin Jeepney infront of Molo Supermart (located near the Molo District Plaza). Just tell the driver that your destination is the San Joaquin Church and Cemetery so that he can give you directions.
Also, you might want to know that since San Joaquin is the last town of Iloilo in the south it will pass by other southern towns such as Oton, Guimbal, Tigbauan, and Miagao so you’ll be able to see the churches in those towns as well.
taga san joaquin guid takun!!
Dear Nening Jane,
Are you related to Jonathan Rosadio ? Nonong was my classmate and batchmate , if you are his sister then your house
was full of beautiful flowers in ngalay ngalay before you guys left for the USA. Regards to Nonong .
yes, manong nonong (jonathan)was my 5th older brother. He passed away Aug.7, 2000 in Laguna. He left behind a wife and 2 kids (boy and girl)
LONG LIVE TRISKELION! LONG LIVE SAN JOAQUINHON!
I can’t believe that after all these years this church is still standing…I was born in Nga-Lay, Nga-Lay and my family was one of the its residents. I think I still have of lots of family members there. My maiden name is Rosadio and my mother and my aunt were both teachers in the schools there..way back in the 60s and 70s. If anyone is from there I would like to know u…
taga san joaquin kami , you must be the daugther of auntie rosa? you mean your aunt is auntie agnes? cousins ko sa father side sanday nang may,nong tomas,nang rose, nong oliver and bitak. naga-nami run ang san joaquin. nagaimprove pa . you must come and visit…
tiya mo si auntie agnes? auntie kosa magulang ka mother ko..auntie agnes died last sept 17.2009
nang jane,
i was wrong sa guess ko sa first comment ko, talked to nanay and she mentioned you must be the daughter tatay pikoy , bali distant relative kita, she added nga try to check your original san joaquin baptismal certificate her name should appear nga ijada kaw nya ( in case nay purik is not teaching you kinray-a) she is your godmother. familia selibio kami ( my mum) apo ako ni obal kag ni doring – ask nay purik if she still remember my lolo and lola. are u coming for the centennial celeb of our town. everybody would like to feel and think that it is going to be a blast . did the local government sent you an invitation. its the 100 years of founding of our town. halong…
kamusta kamo dyan, kamusta si bimboy kag nonong classmate ko si bimboy, kamusta mo lang ako dyan sa mga titos kag titas mo si biboy dya kag kay inday purita kag neneng eva dyan neighbor nyo, first cousin ko ra sanda
kami ?!…. san joaquinhon and proud!!!!
gumanda na pla lalo ung san joaquin church..sakristan me jan noon from 1988 until 2000. after that d na me naka visit jan sa church, bihira nlng kc me umuuwe jan..sakristan me ni padre escanlar dati.
sakristan man ko ni padre escanlar upod kami elmer, lucas, ramil, damo pa sino ja man
sus..cla man to batch ko,ako ang pinaka bata sadto.cguro kilala kita
The pictures are beautiful. How about getting a more close up view of the facade of the church and its surroundings , including the old “convento” , well and the large patio facing the sea ? I hope the restoration would include the ruined part of the church . The whole complex can be developed into a park with an atmosphere of Spanish era while walking from the church to the sea.
I feel so home sick looking at those pictures. It’s heartwarming to know that finally the beauty and uniqueness of this church is finally recognized and shown worlwide. Congratulations!
my mother ..Generosa Rosadio defensor
my aunt..
Juliet Rosadio sardua
+ Agnes Rosadio sibaton – (Died in the grace of our lord Sept 17,2009 – feast of St.Robert)
gresilda Rosadio Janairo
my uncle..
+ Rogelio Rosadio
Candelario Rosadio
God bless the people of san Joaquin……..
the best guid ang san Joaquin…………
last visit month of september 2009… baw na surprise guid ako kay nami na gid ang municipio kag organized na ang tindihan sa tunga ka banwa… jan man ako nag bahol sa banwa… di ko gid malipatan kay permi gid kami gaparigos sa talisayan beach…. kag naga panugbong permi kami sa baybay..
WOW…guid ha.. since Father Escanlar renovated yang church dyn na ko.. FR. did great sa church na yan..akyat baba lang kme dyan sa “KAMPANARYO” na ya…to see the whole banwa..grabee ang ganda talaga ng view sa taas..nakaka relax…PLS TRY NYO>>basta dont be afraid sa mga paniki at nakakatakot na hagdan..hehehehee..nakaka lula kasi…that was the first feeling pag umakyat ka dya..Now kasi we have our way dyan going to choirloft…pala.. Choir member ako kang simbahan..since Fr Escanlar dyan pa…galing nun at love nya mga choir..im Ulysses Sariego AHHHH. tga purok 5..tatay ko si lorenzo sariego Sr. “TAY INSIONG” kung tawagin… former working si papa sa municipyo…ako agot nya…by the way..ako pag nakauwi ng san joaquin,,i really try my best na una kung binibisita yang ting simbahan nato to pray and to look back the past years kang kabataan ko..sa church nato..i been a children choir CCF, San Joaquin Youth choir, Angel for Salubong and damo pa…kya kita nga wara pa ka uli sa banwa ta.. first vist naton pag naka uwi is our very own San Joaquin CHRUCH…
How I wish I could go home and be with my loveones once more!Teacher ko si ma’am Rosadio sa kinder.I remember how she did try to correct me in my pronounciation kay tagala ako.tongue tied mahirap mag pronounce ng r at l. When I make sumbong kay lola siti I never knew they are related.When I saw her at home during the meeting of CWL I alomost doesn’t want to go out because I was really scared it end up to know her a great person and lola of mine.
I glad to find this blog site. I’m looking forward to see my ancestors’ hometown and photograph it myself
Sa mga san joaquinians..gusto ko ipaalam sa inyo lahat na si mommy Purik Rosadio Tarusan sa New York City, USA ay namatay na sa last Nov.4, 2010. Pasalamat ako sa mga family na taga San Joaquin na ng attend sa memorial service ni mommy. I was just wondering if anyone can help me how to go about commemorating mommy’s memory, like putting a plaque in the high school with her name or putting her name in the town registry. Thank you for your help.
baw a nag nami na gali ang simbahan,nahidlaw na gid k sang san joaquin, san o k bala ka puli……
kanami gid man sang old catholic church rigya where friends and relatives had their last look of lola Justa before she was finally laid to rest: Eustaquia Sapalo-Soldevilla, a very well-known consistent Ms. Karusa (senior women on float using wooden wheels attached to the neck of the carabao -or simply called ‘yoke’). I love san joaquin, had few moments spent in kabitoonan with my relatives; spent nights playing scrabble with my grandpa and grandma (now both deceased). My dad was a baquero here before (tending carabao) together with his second cousin General George Moleta (now deceased), my grandma’s beloved ‘adopted’ child.
I just love to read the thread from my townmates, though I wasnt born and raised in San Joaquin, I consider it home… every summer when I was young I would spend it in my Lola’s Talisayan Beach Resort. The late Agnes Sibaton was my mom’s best friend (if im not mistaken). I come from Savillo-Sedigo clan…
The beautiful town of San Joaquin is the labor of love of the townspeople and the municipal under the administration of the incumbent Mayor Ninfa Garin. :)