The famous Baroque Church of Pan-ay Capiz was probably built around 1700 and reconstructed in 1714 and 1875.

According to Fr. Lopez, the population of Pan-ay alone could not possibly afford the building until an agreement with the alcalde mayor made it possible with a donation of P288.00 from the community treasury.

Another reconstruction took place under the incumbency of Fr. Miguel Murguia in 1744. The church was heavily damaged due to a typhoon on January 17, 1875 and again renovated in 1884 by Fr. Jose.

The citadel , a big structure made of sandstone, measuring up to 70 meters long and 25 meters wide by 18 meters high. It follows the pattern of the latin cross with a large central altar and four lateral ones, each of which has a gorgeously decorated and retables made of hardwood covered with gold, it is adorned with a variety of polychromed statues of high artistic quality.

Artisans as far from Manila, according to the clapards, designed the Baroque decorations, settin the main altar in silver. Jose Bergamo or Sarhento Itak, the town’s greatest sculptor, did most of the retablos, bass relief and other religious images. The church was completed in 1771.

Unlike its elaborate Baroque interior, the exterior is simply embellished with pillars and horizontal ledges with life-size statues of the Augustinian saints St. Thomas de Villanova and Monica flanked in a niche. The five-story belfry is the house of the very large bell cast in the 19th century from the donation of 70-sack coins of the townfolk. It measures seven feet in diameter, five feet in height and weighs 10,400 kilograms. The people of the town referred to it Dakong Lingganay or Big Bell.

The bell was cast by Don Juan Reina who settled in JM Basa St, Iloilo City sinnce 1898 and established his blacksmith and casting shop. Fr. Jose Beloso sent for him when the belfry was being constructed. With a few basic tools, Reina set up a temporary shop at the foot of the town and hurried up with the casting of the bell. The moment the bell was tried during the Angelus, the sound was too loud that it could be heard in every nearby town. After he was paid by the parish priest, he returned to Iloilo. The bell cracked in a month’s time. From that time, the bell sounded more like a frying pan than a bell. The priest summoned the blacksmith furiously and demanded he should recast the bell for free. Don Juan, who had the temper of a baturro (countrymen from Aragon) would have none if it. No less stubborn, Fr. Beloso, appealed to Bishop Cuartero, after a heated discussion with the blacksmith, sent a circular to all priests in the island, prohibitng them fron contracting any job to Don Juan.

In the very strange manner, the deadlock was broken. Bishop Cuartero would spend long sleepless nights duue to a chronic toothache. Iron ically, the only dentist who could help him is no less than Don Juan, the blacksmith. He was sent for and the bishop meekly submitted himself to have his tooth pulled out.

The blacksmith was delighted in this great opportunity. As he got ready to apply the hook, he asked the bishop in genuine insolence, "Your excellency, is there any job for a bell caster?" and came the reply of the bishop, "Of course Don Juan, there is." A big pull and the tooth went out. After this moment, it was not longer difficult for the blacksmith to find work.

The insciption in the bells states: Soy la voz de Dios que Ilevarey ensalzare desde el principio hasta el fin de este pueblo de Panay para que los fieles de Jesus vengan e esta casa de Dion a recibit las gracias celestiales (I am God’s voice which I shall echo and praise from one end to the other of the town of Panay, so that the faithful followers of Christ may may come to this house of God to receive heavenly graces.) The bell was cast in this town by Don Juan Reina to the glory of God and the Virgin Consolation while Fr. Jose Beloso was the parish priest of the town of Panay, 21st of December, 1878. Another bell reads: Josepus (sic) Beloso fecit and laudem Sanetissimi Tritatos, B.M. Consolationis Huius oppido de Panay patrona et advocada. Anno domini 1867. It weights 183 arrobas. The small bell dated 1721.

The typhoon of March 5, 1874 destroyed the roof of the church and another typhoon in January 1875 toppled the transept. It was repaired by Fr. Lesmes Perez in 1895. On the other thand, the destroyed convent was never been rebuilt.

The fortress have been called an excellent example of the Filipino Colonial Baroque style that has blended well with the neo-classic influence. The imposing façade is massive and solid in appearance, with the blending of its lines and volume. Shallow paired pilasters with narrow groobes in between divide the façade into rectangular carving portraying the Agustinian emblem. The second level has an ornate niche and a rose window complemented by a relief sculpture at the center of the pediment above it. The vertical movement of the pilasters counterfoiled by the sharp projectibf architrave and curvelinear indulation of the pediment. The dark open spaces of the entrance and the windows create a closer relationship between light and shadow. The finials shaped as pineapple on the top most part of the pediment wall add to the local exotic color of the church. The neoclassic look blends excellently with the Baroque influences.

Sta. Monica Church, Pan-ay, Capiz

Heritage Features: Pan-ay belongs to the Baroque style. The pediment cascades gracefully down. The façade is ornamented with swags of flowers, niches and statuary. The bell tower to the left of the façade is simple in contrast to the façade. It base is planned as a quadrilateral but its upper stories are octagonal with the two sides longer than the other. To the church was attached an L-shaped convento, which had been ruined. Remnants of the covento have been incorporated into the present modern convento. Behind the church are remnants of a wall, which according to town lore was once a fortification. Attached to the sacristy is a large storage room, now converted into a Blessed Sacrament chapel.

The interior was formerly divided into a central nave with flanking aisles, but in recent years, the wooden posts that marked the divisions were removed to improve sight lines to the altar. The wooden choirloft was also removed because it was damaged by termites, so were the wooden floors of the bell tower. In place the tower has an independent steel stairway that leads to the topmost floor. This floor has been reconstructed in reinforced concrete with coral stone facing. The roof of the church, already damaged by a storm in 1984 and subsequently repaired, was already in a dilapidated condition in 2000. Its wood work was rotten and was in danger of collapsing. The woodwork and roof have been replaced by a steel and galvanized iron structure.

The church retains much of its original floor: terra cotta tiles, white marble and black slate as accents and for the sanctuary.

The church has three altars in Baroque style. The retablo of the central altar has been painted over in silver and gold enamel, however, the side altars have hardly been touched and probably represent the original colors of the woodwork—primaries of blue, red, green, orange with gold leaf accents. These altars are unique for Latin inscriptions carved on roundels set in its reed thin columns.

Pan-ay Bell

Because of lack of food, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi transferred the Spanish settlement from Cebu to Panay in 1569. The town was formally founded in 1572 (1581 according to Jorde), although by that time Legazpi had moved the capital of the Philippines, further north, to Manila. Fr. Bartolome de Alcantara was named the prior of the town with Fr. Agustin Camacho as assistant. A prosperous town due to trade, Pan-ay became capital of Captivating Capiz for two centuries, until Capiz was named capital. The town name was eventually given to whole island. After 1607, Fr. Alonso de Méntrida, noted for his linguistic studies and Visayan dictionary became prior. In the 18th century, Pan-ay was famous for its textile industry which produced a cloth called suerte and exported to Europe. In the 19th century, Don Antonio Roxas, grandfather of Pres. Manuel Roxas, opened one of the largest rum and wine distilleries in the town. The Augustinians held the parish until 1898, when administration tranferred to the seculars.

The first church was built before 1698 when it is reported that a typhoon had ruined it. In 1774, Fr. Miguel Murguía rebuilt the church, but it was later damaged by a typhoon on 15 January 1875. Fr. Jose Beloso restored the church in 1884. The church is best known for its 10.4 ton bell popularly called dakong lingganay (big bell). The bell was cast by Don Juan Reina who settled in Iloilo in 1868. Reina who was town dentist was also noted as a metal caster and smith. The bell was cast at Pan-ay from 70 sacks of coins donated by the townspeople. The bell was completed in 1878. It bears an inspiring inscription which translated reads: “I am God’s voice which shall echo praise from one end of the town of Pan-ay to the other, so that Christ’s faithful followers may enter this house of God to receive heavenly graces.”

One place that captivates in One place that captivates in the Captivating Capiz is the church in Panay . This is one of the oldest church in Asia having a very memorable and valuable history in the Philippines. According to my sources, Panay church was recently restored and rebuild to make it last for more longer years. If in case you will visit the captivating Capiz visit Panay and see their church, the church that houses the biggest bell in Asia.

Trivial information about the church: It is about 250 feet long and 80 feet wide with a 9 feet thick walls blocks. The central altar is elaborately sculptured retablos of silver and hardwood in the florid style of Baroque art. The antique huge bell is surrounded by 8 smaller bells. The huge bell was made from 76 sacks of coins believed to have been contributed by the citizens of the town. It holds the record of being the biggest church bell in Asia and 2nd in the whole world. It is 7 feet in diameter and 10,400 kg. in weight. Still not convinced about this? Be captivated, visit the Captivating Capiz of the Philippines.

In 1566, Fray Martín de Rada is said to have preached the Gospel in Bamban (Pan-ay) and from there he proceeded to evangelize Dumangas to the south. The Augustinians continued to spread their net of evangelization to the south and west of Pan-ay until they had established footholds in the whole island. By the late 1500s, they had been had been the sole evangelizers of Panay island until the Jesuits arrived at this time.

THE BELL OF THE CHURCH OF STA. MONICA

Geographically located some 7.5 kilometers east of Roxas City the capital center of the Province of Capiz in the Western Visayas Region - (and north of the Regional Center City of Iloilo), the town of Pan-ay is a quaint little town that has since been established before the Spanish era in 1580.

THE CHURCH OF STA. MONICA

In the advent of Spanish colonization of the Islands, the ecclesiastical administration of the town of Pan-ay apparently fell on the responsibilities of the Augustinian Order during the 18th century, upon which the Augustinian friars had embarked on the construction of a church edifice which was finally completed in the year 1771.

Pan-ay Bell

Because of lack of food, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi transferred the Spanish settlement from Cebu to Panay in 1569. The town was formally founded in 1572 (1581 according to Jorde), although by that time Legazpi had moved the capital of the Philippines, further north, to Manila. Fr. Bartolome de Alcantara was named the prior of the town with Fr. Agustin Camacho as assistant. A prosperous town due to trade, Pan-ay became capital of captivating Capiz for two centuries, until Capiz was named capital. The town name was eventually given to whole island. After 1607, Fr. Alonso de Méntrida, noted for his linguistic studies and Visayan dictionary became prior. In the 18th century, Pan-ay was famous for its textile industry which produced a cloth called suerte and exported to Europe. In the 19th century, Don Antonio Roxas, grandfather of Pres. Manuel Roxas, opened one of the largest rum and wine distilleries in the town. The Augustinians held the parish until 1898, when administration tranferred to the seculars.

The first church was built before 1698 when it is reported that a typhoon had ruined it. In 1774, Fr. Miguel Murguía rebuilt the church, but it was later damaged by a typhoon on 15 January 1875. Fr. Jose Beloso restored the church in 1884. The church is best known for its 10.4 ton bell popularly called dakong lingganay (big bell). The bell was cast by Don Juan Reina who settled in Iloilo in 1868. Reina who was town dentist was also noted as a metal caster and smith. The bell was cast at Pan-ay from 70 sacks of coins donated by the townspeople. The bell was completed in 1878. It bears an inspiring inscription which translated reads: “I am God’s voice which shall echo praise from one end of the town of Pan-ay to the other, so that Christ’s faithful followers may enter this house of God to receive heavenly graces.”

santa monica church

Pan-ay
Santa Monica Church

In 1566, Fray Martín de Rada is said to have preached the Gospel in Bamban (Pan-ay) and from there he proceeded to evangelize Dumangas to the south. The Augustinians continued to spread their net of evangelization to the south and west of Pan-ay until they had established footholds in the whole island. By the late 1500s, they had been had been the sole evangelizers of Panay island until the Jesuits arrived at this time.

Because of lack of food, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi transferred the Spanish settlement from Cebu to Pan-ay in 1569. The town was formally founded in 1572 (1581 according to Jorde), although by that time Legazpi had moved the capital of the Philippines, further north, to Manila. Fr. Bartolome de Alcantara was named the prior of the town with Fr. Agustin Camacho as assistant. A prosperous town due to trade, Pan-ay became capital of Capiz for two centuries, until Capiz was named capital. The town name was eventually given to whole island. After 1607, Fr. Alonso de Méntrida, noted for his linguistic studies and Visayan dictionary became prior. In the 18^th century, Pan-ay was famous for its textile industry which produced a cloth called suerte and exported to Europe. In the 19^th century, Don Antonio Roxas, grandfather of Pres. Manuel Roxas, opened one of the largest rum and wine distilleries in the town. The Augustinians held the parish until 1898, when administration tranferred to the seculars.

The first church was built before 1698 when it is reported that a typhoon had ruined it. In 1774, Fr. Miguel Murguía rebuilt the church, but it was later damaged by a typhoon on 15 January 1875. Fr. Jose Beloso restored the church in 1884. The church is best known for its 10.4 ton bell popularly called dakong lingganay (big bell). The bell was cast by Don Juan Reina who settled in Iloilo in 1868. Reina who was town dentist was also noted as a metal caster and smith. The bell was cast at Pan-ay from 70 sacks of coins donated by the townspeople. The bell was completed in 1878. It bears an inspiring inscription which translated reads: "I am God's voice which shall echo praise from one end of the town of Pan-ay to the other, so that Christ's faithful followers may enter this house of God to receive heavenly graces."

Heritage Features: Pan-ay belongs to the Baroque style. The pediment cascades gracefully down. The façade is ornamented with swags of flowers, niches and statuary. The bell tower to the left of the façade is simple in contrast to the façade. It base is planned as a quadrilateral but its upper stories are octagonal with the two sides longer than the other. To the church was attached an L-shaped convento, which had been ruined. Remnants of the covento have been incorporated into the present modern convento. Behind the church are remnants of a wall, which according to town lore was once a fortification. Attached to the sacristy is a large storage room, now converted into a Blessed Sacrament chapel.

The interior was formerly divided into a central nave with flanking aisles, but in recent years, the wooden posts that marked the divisions were removed to improve sight lines to the altar. The wooden choirloft was also removed because it was damaged by termites, so were the wooden floors of the bell tower. In place the tower has an independent steel stairway that leads to the topmost floor. This floor has been reconstructed in reinforced concrete with coral stone facing. The roof of the church, already damaged by a storm in 1984 and subsequently repaired, was already in a dilapidated condition in 2000. Its wood work was rotten and was in danger of collapsing. The woodwork and roof have been replaced by a steel and galvanized iron structure.

The church retains much of its original floor: terra cotta tiles, white marble and black slate as accents and for the sanctuary.

The church has three altars in Baroque style. The retablo of the central altar has been painted over in silver and gold enamel, however, the side altars have hardly been touched and probably represent the original colors of the woodwork—primaries of blue, red, green, orange with gold leaf accents. These altars are unique for Latin inscriptions carved on roundels set in its reed thin columns.

Behind Gospel side altar are remnants of decorative painting, also done in brilliant primaries.

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Brief History of Panay

Panay is the place where the dawn of Christianity started. It is also the center of the first act of revolt against the Spaniards in the Province of Capiz. The first encounter between the Filipino revolutionaries and the Spanish forces happened in May1897 at Tadiao Bridge. Despite the inferiority in manpower and arms, the revolutionaries were able to repulse the advance of the Spanish forces by sheer ingenuity. Using only “gafas” or nipa stalks which looked like rifles from afar, they simultaneously fired the seven guns that they have. The Spaniards thinking that the Filipino revolutionaries were well equipped and prepared retreated to Capiz now Roxas City.

The following day, the Spaniards regrouped well armed and prepared, went back to Panay on big boats tied in two’s (Conduccion) through Banica River. Upon reaching Lahab River near Panay town proper, the revolutionaries armed with cannon, rifles, bolos and spears laid an ambush to the Spanish forces.

The Filipinos untrained in the use of cannon fired at the Spanish forces but missed. A fierce battle ensued and the Filipinos inferior in arms and number ultimately retreated to the Poblacion using what is now called Calle Revolucion. The pursuing Spanish forces put the town into torch and spared only the Sta. Monica Church and the Parish Convent, reason why no old houses can be seen in town today. The battle raged on and ultimately the revolutionaries retreated to Balisong Hills in the Town of Pilar where the last battle between the Spaniards and the Filipinos was fought.

Today, the centuries-old Sta. Monica Church is one of the major tourist attractions in Capiz. Declared as National Heritage by the National Historical Commission in 1997, Sta. Monica Church houses in its 5-storey belfry a gigantic bell whose booming sound can be heard 8 kilometers away. It is made of 70 sacks of coins and weighs 10.4 tons, the biggest Catholic Church bell in Asia.