In my mind

            The second settlement of Spanish colonization which is written in our history is the town Panay, Pan-ay or Bamban for our old folks. The 221-year old church is a living legend of how strong the Panay-anon is. The church was built before 1698 but a typhoon ripped it into pieces, a kind priest, Fr. Miguel Murgia head started its reconstruction but unfortunately was again destroyed by a typhoon in January 1875 and in 1884 it was again restored by Fr. Jose Beloso.

             Before, it was an everyday habit to enter the church and climb the winding stairs that leads to the tower that we usually call “campanaryo” where the bells are situated. We used to describe the church to be old, almost rotten and the smell really stinks before because of the bats, all we know before was that the church housed the “biggest bell in Asia” that was cast by Don Juan Reina from the seventy sacs of coins donated by the townspeople. It measure seven feet in height and weighs 10,400 kilograms. (By virtue of NHI resolution No. 3, s.1997 the church is declared as National Historical Landmark)

            The bell was completed in 1878. It bears an inspiring inscription which translated reads: “I am God’s voice which shall echo praise from one end of the town of Pan-ay to the other, so that Christ’s faithful followers may enter this house of God to receive heavenly graces.” We were told that when rung, the bell can reach as far as 8 kilometers, true because as told by our folks the bell was used as a warning whenever the Japanese are near.

            As time passed by, I eventually realized the true essence of church and discovered its remarkable features. The church belong to a baroque style it is said the before its façade is covered with curtains of flowers, niches and statuary but now looking at the church you can see the clean structure. Upon entering you will pass the huge wooden door that was as old as the church. Though is can be opened in half, the two small doors are usually used. Standing at the door you can directly see the baroque altar through the aisle with two rows of benches on its side. There are addition benches on each side on the front that has its own baroque style altars.

  The old dilapidated roof was now replaced and the choirloft was removed.The old L-shaped convent was now reconstructed and has a new and refreshed look. Although it still has the Spanish style appearance with its windows and the red-orange bricks façade. Even the front view of the church that was only covered with carabao grass is now covered with brick-style floors with matching posts.