Tale of 2 Churches: Miagao and Guimbal Church

Finding a backpacker type of accommodation in Iloilo is easy, one you reached the town center, you will notice inns, pension houses and budget hotels scattered around. However, when in Iloilo I chose Ongbon Pension House because it is centrally located to shopping malls and banks. Actually, its my second time here and Im satisfied with their service; cheap food, friendly staffs and most its clean, very different from the pensions houses I know.

After checking in at the pension house. My first destination in here for this year is the famous Miagao church located in Southern Iloilo, popular for its gothic styled design and getting there is very easy and affordable. Although I’m not catholic, I’m amazed with old churches. Miagao is also a UNESCO Heritage site thats why its worth the visit. I really don’t know who are those people engraved on the churches wall but you may wanna visit www.exploreiloilo.com, the ultimate guide to Iloilo. 

Unfortunately, the weather is not good when I arrived in Miagao. After 5 minutes of picture taking with a local, it started raining. From Iloilo proper it takes about 45 minutes via jeepney. 

From Ongbon Pension House, turn left and ride the Villa route and ask the driver to drop you off at the Shell station beside Molo Supermart. Also in Molo, is the magical Molo Church. Then from Molo Shell, wait for a Miagao bound jeep. The jeep will drop you off to the entrance of the church. You will never get lost. You also don’t have to worry coz there’s a PNB ATM in case you run out of cash. 

But before reaching Miagao church is a local town of Guimbal, also in Southern Iloilo, you will notice a yellow colored church. The Guimbal church, although its not very popular but it is considered one of the oldest in the country. I found out that its made up of corals and adobe stones. Intramuros in Manila was made of adobe stones too. 

Another interesting and most of all free spot in Guimbal is the Guimbal water dike. It is also overlooking the steel bridge. Smelling the sea breeze is refreshing and Im all alone in this spot. I cried and reflect on something here. I thought of commiting suicide because of the tranquility of the place. 

Finally, going back to Iloilo to rest. 

Summary of Expenses:

Ongbon-Molo : P7

Molo-Miagao: P45

Miagao-Guimbal: P10 (bus)

Guimbal-Mohon Terminal 20 (bus)

Mohon-Ongbon (Villa): P8

Drinks: P20

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TOTAL: P110

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