Laguna 2015 Series| St. John the Baptist Parish Church

happened on May 23, 2015

the baroque styled Parish Church

The Windangan Group finally sat foot on Laguna for the weekend to visit J's home, eat seafood and see their famous waterfalls.

It's a road trip on our second day. We had lunch in Real, Quezon and bought some seafood.  After lunch, we just checked out the beach (which didn't impress the kids) and drove another 2 hours to Liliw for some shoe hunting.

one of the restored old houses

one of the shoe stores

Liliw town proper is very small in area - you can literally completely roam around it for less than  an hour.  But it can't be taken for granted on how many things this town can offer.  Apparently, it's one of the most favorite tourist's destinations in Laguna - which is famous for cold springs, sweet delicacies, shoes and the old church that houses the 500 year old image of Franciscan Father Padre de San Buenaventura (the first author of Tagalog dictionary) .

While my friends are busy looking for nice shoes, I'm not in the mood for a Cinderella moment so I just did some photo shots since the place is full of picture worthy old houses and restaurants.  

love how they re use these drift woods

an old home turned into Japanese restaurant (it doesn't show any Japanese at all hehe)

My eyes were immediately stuck with the old looking red church.  It's made of bricks just like Bantay Tower in Ilocos Sur and with a baroque architecture. 

at first glimpse

History of the Church (from Wikipedia):

Original structure, which is made of wood, was built in 1620.  A stronger church was built from 1643 to 1646 and was partially destroyed during the 1880 Luzon earthquake.  It was reconstructed in 1885 and was partially burned in 1898.

even the gate is made of red bricks

The façade:

I'm just completely astonished with its façade - completely adorned with red bricks.

the watch tower

nothing was left for art work

The interiors and the altar:

It only consists of two long rows of seats with few religious images.  Even the windows are eye candies.

Priest's station common during the Spanish era

It's like deja vu looking at the altar.  I'm sure seeing it in one of the movies I've seen.  They are also elaborately decorated.

Laguna is as also known for wood carvings as shown on this altar table

The church is quite crowded that time so I spent only a few minutes inside.  I just offered some prayers, took some shots and left with a peaceful heart.

lots of tourists at that time, all wanted to have a picture with the altar as a backdrop

It's highly recommended to drop by this famous place and you'll surely fall in love with it like I did.