Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo - Philippines

The Jaro Cathedral is one of the old churches in the Philippines that still draws a lot of tourists to this day. The cathedrals rustic and old world charm lets tourist dream of what was the life and culture back in the Spanish era. It is also one of the most recognizable symbols of the province of Iloilo. The cathedral is also the main place of worship for Catholics living in the province, being the Archdiocese of Iloilo and Guimaras. The provinces of Antique and Negros Occidental are under its jurisdiction.

The Jaro Cathedral is the only cathedral in Panay that was constructed in 1864. One of the high points in Panays history was when Pope John Paul II conducted mass at the cathedral in 1982. Tourist can climb to a kind of balcony situated in front of the Jaro cathedral where a life-size icon of the Madonna and child is placed. It is inside a glass case and is dressed in a cape. It also has an immense white choker on its neck. Devotees flock to the church, believing that the Madonna and child are miraculous. It is also widely believed that the image is originally placed in a niche atop the Jaro Cathedral church front.

Over the years, the Madonna and child is believed to have grown from its original size and when the niche could no longer fit the small niche, it had to be removed from its previous location to its present location.

From either the airport or by the fast craft ride from the seaport of Iloilo, tourists can ride a cab to reach the Jaro Cathedral or the Jaro Plaza. Another way to get to the Jaro Cathedral is to walk to the main street of Iloilo City (which is only a short distance since the port of Iloilo is near the Old City proper) and wait for passing jeepneys that travel to Jaro. The fare is usually less than ten pesos. Mariano Cuartero, Jaros first bishop, was responsible for the construction of the Jaro Cathedral in 1864. By the same year, it was also recognized as a diocese by Pope Pius IX.

The Jaro Cathedral was severely devastated in the Iloilo quake of 1948 and reconstructed by the order of Jose Ma. Cuenco, Jaros first archbishop. Jaro Cathedrals style is Baroque, with addition of the Gothic style which is incorporated in the Cathedral over numerous renovations.

The Nuestra Senora dela Candelaria or the Lady of the Candles is the only female among the all-male collection of statues that decorate the walls of the Jaro cathedrals interiors. The Lady of the Candles is placed in a glass encased shrine which is constructed from the façade of the church. The limestone where the Lady of the Candles is placed is said to be continuously growing. The feast of the four hundred year old image is February 2nd.