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San Diego de Alcala Church

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PUBLISHED April 6, 2012
PHOTOGRAPHY and WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO

The San Diego de Alcala Church, a parish church located in the neighborhood of Polo in Valenzuela of Manila, has a bit of history lying in its parish grounds because it was once the oldest church in the city.

Valenzuela Church_San Diego de Alcala Parish_Mariano Sayno_ 2014.01.18.DSC_0088
Valenzuela Church_San Diego de Alcala Parish_Mariano Sayno_ 2014.01.18.DSC_0061

It was the locals that were forced to work to complete the original church in 1632, which was the first church built by Father Juan Taranto, Father Jose Valencia and Don Juan Monsod after the town gained its independence from Spain in 1623.

 

As a result of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II, the main structure of this four-century old edifice was destroyed to bricks and ashes, leaving the belfry and the entrance to the building all that remains of it today. Fortunately, the citizens of Polo, (the old name of Valenzuela, Manila) took the initiative to preserve the remains of this site, allowing them to be preserved in their historical state as a result. As of today, the bell tower of the San Diego de Alcala Church is recognized as a cultural and religious relic from the bygone Spanish era, as well as a historical landmark.

Valenzuela Church_San Diego de Alcala Parish_Mariano Sayno_ 2014.01.18.DSC_0061

It was the locals that were forced to work to complete the original church in 1632, which was the first church built by Father Juan Taranto, Father Jose Valencia and Don Juan Monsod after the town gained its independence from Spain in 1623.

 

As a result of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II, the main structure of this four-century old edifice was destroyed to bricks and ashes, leaving the belfry and the entrance to the building all that remains of it today. Fortunately, the citizens of Polo, (the old name of Valenzuela, Manila) took the initiative to preserve the remains of this site, allowing them to be preserved in their historical state as a result. As of today, the bell tower of the San Diego de Alcala Church is recognized as a cultural and religious relic from the bygone Spanish era, as well as a historical landmark.

Valenzuela Church_San Diego de Alcala Parish_Mariano Sayno_ 2014.01.18.DSC_0022

A good time to visit the historical church is during the feast day of San Diego de Alcalala on the 12th of November during which the town also celebrates a food festival honoring the so-called putong polo, a unique type of rice cake that is typical in the area.

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All photographs that appear on the site are copyright of Mariano Sayno ©2022 Beauty of the philippines

All photographs that appear on the site are copyright of Mariano Sayno ©2022 Beauty of the philippines.com

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