2. The Jaro Cathedral (Filipino: Ang Katedral ng Jaro) in Iloilo was built
in 1874 under the management of KGG. Mariano Cuartero, O.P., the first
bishop of Jaro. It was destroyed by anearthquake in January 1948. It was
later repaired in 1956 by the order of KGG. Jose Ma. Cuenco, the first
archbishop of Jaro.
On December 20, 1856, Graciano López Jaena (1856 – 1896), a
Filipino journalist, orator, and revolutionary from Iloilo, well known for his
written work, La Solidaridad, was baptized in this cathedral.
Now, the Jaro Cathedral is also known as the Nuestra Señora de la
Cadelaria (Our Lady of Candles). Notably, Pope John Paul VI conducted a
mass in 1982 and set a crown upon the Lady of the Candles, and declared it
as the Western Visayas’ Patroness. The statue is carrying a child in her left
hand and a lighted candle on the other. It is believed that the lady of
candles brings protection and divine illumination to one’s path if the person
asks for her help.
3.
4. Fronting the
Jaro Church is the
belfry, situated in the
Jaro Park. It is
preserved by the
government officials
to give the
present, new and
coming generations a
glimpse of the past.
This bell tower
historically served as
a lookout from sea
raiders
5. Every February 2, the centuries-old image of the
Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria is the main focus of annual
Jaro Fiesta. The image is placed in the façade of the church
and one can reach the niche through a staircase about 32
steps in each side. Before entering the Jaro Cathedral, a
monument of Jesus Christ and a monument of Mother
Mary, both inaugurated in February 1925 can be seen. The
exterior’s thick and sturdy walls probably made from lime
stones and the solid pillars inside the church makes the
church tough and strong against several earthquakes and
typhoons.
An image of St. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus
Dei and “The Saint of Ordinary Life” can be seen inside the
church. Statues of different saints placed in the pillars and
the centuries-oldchandeliers are some of the features of the
church’s interiors.
In 1976, the National Historical Institute proclaimed the
Jaro Cathedral as a historical landmark.
6.
7. Interior of Jaro Church
Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria
Staircase going to the Statue of the lady of Candles
