Every
province, city or municipality has its own renowned; an instance of this is the
municipality of Dalaguete, a town of the province of Cebu, island of Cebu (Visayas;
region VII). At the mouth of the Tapon river E. coast, 50 m. S.S.W of Cebu. It
is located approximately 84 (km) kilometers from Cebu City. The tropical climate
prevails year round in Dalaguete.
The
temperature is high and varies little with a difference of about 3 degrees
centigrade between the coldest month which occurs around January and the
hottest month around May. Which is said to be “the summer capital of cebu” and
it’s also known to be “the vegetable basket of the south”.
The foundation of Dalaguete began when it was established as
a visita of
Car-car in 1690. In 1711, it became a parish under the patronage of San
Guillermo de Aquitania (which is also called St. William Parish Church). The historic church of
Dalaguete, San Guillermo de Aquitania, sits in the heart of the town facing the
sea. It
is constructed in the year 1770; the present hewn stone and brick church was
built by Fr. Juan Chacel (1802-1825) and was restored by Fr. Mateo Diez in
1868. In the 1800s, the church
complex served as fortification protecting the townspeople from the frequent
Moro attacks.
As we have read the history of Dalaguete there were really
shocking periods during the Spanish era. The villages were looted, the
villagers were kidnapped, houses and churches burned down to the ground. But
for the most part, this didn’t stop the missionaries in building their churches
and convents close to the coasts.
The church of San Guillermo de Aquitania is unique for it is
actually inside a fortress complex, made of thick adobe walls and solid
militaristic sentries. That intended for the deter pirate attacks, the major
threat for the growing Christian community here. It is indeed a very important
heritage for it demonstrates true Filipino-Spanish architecture and designs
(some objects like the crystal chandeliers were said to have been brought by
the galleons).
The current church was a product of the baroque taste of Fr. Juan
Chacel, known for its simple and neat styling just like Argao church.
The rectory on the right side was completed in 1832 while the octagonal belfry
was added in the late 1850s. The walls enclosing the church plaza consisted of
thick low barriers made of coral stones with square pillars topped with pointed
finials.
We’re very impress about their painted ceilings. The detail
of the hand painted ceiling are the work of Canuto Avila, who together with Ray
Francia were both commissioned to paint the churches of Bohol and Cebu from the
1920’s until 1930’s. The paintings were depictions of biblical scenes and
Catholic symbols. There were visible damages on some parts which could be
contributed to natural deterioration.
There were other interesting elements within
the church ground. The plaza in front of the church is wide and orderly; the
air is fresh, the environment is peaceful and a great
view of coasts. The life
here is simple, like the other towns is refreshing unhurried. Around the
@Poblacion, Dalagute’s you can find important old houses belonging to the old
families of the town.
The annual feast day falls on the 10th
day of February in honor of patron saint, St. William of Aquitania. The rectory
and church possess a very rare and precious artifacts collection which can only
be seen with prior arrangements with church’s authorities. It is declared as a
National Landmark last October 3, 2004.
Not
only their famous church you will see there, actually there were lot: The
Municipal Hall (was built around 1832), the Sta. Cruz Monument (1921),
Poblacion Watchtower, Christ the King Monument (1938), Obong Watchtower (late
1700s and early 1800s), the Osmena Peak, Dalaguete Beach Park, Kulabyaw Cave,
Obong Spring, rock formation and many more.
For more info about the church feel free to visit my fb account
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