This is my very first UNESCO World Heritage Site postcard ~ Miag-ao Church, which is officially known as the Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva. It is a prime example of Philippine rococo style. This church, resembling a fortress, dates back to 1787.
Here’s what WikiPilipinas has to say:
…its fortress-like design suggests its dual purpose as a place of worship and as a fort used in defending the town against moro raiders.
Miag-ao’s first parish church was constructed near the Tumagbok River in Ubos by Nicolas Pangkug, the first town capitan (equivalent to today’s town mayor). It was completed three years before the first assignment of a Spanish priest in Miag-ao, consequent to the creation of the Miag-ao parish on 15 May 1734. The first church was burned by Muslim pirates in 1741.
By virtue of P.D. 260, 1 August 1973 as amended by P.D. 375, 14 January 1974, this church was declared as a National Landmark. In 1994 it was listed by the UNESCO as a World Cultiral Heritage Sites.
It was sent together with this equally interesting commemorative stamp of National Artist for Film, Fernando Poe, Jr. {my papa’s favorite actor}
This was send to me by fellow Postcrossing Enthusiast member, Sheng, who blogs at The Postcard + Travel Lover. Thanks for your generosity, sis 🙂
This is my share for this week’s Postcard Perfect.