LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA (Sichuan, China)

Dearest readers, do you know what is the largest and tallest stone Buddha statue in the world? Allow Tita S to tell you 13 facts about it.

1.The Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-meter (233 feet) tall stone statue, built between 723 and 803, during the Tang Dynasty¹, depicting a seated Maitreya², with hands resting on his knees.

Watch this 2:28-minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFvWm8uDnRo.

2. It is the largest and tallest Buddha statue in the world. It is also the tallest pre-modern statue in the world and the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world.

It is ten stories high, as tall as the Statue of Liberty, if this Buddha stood upright.

Photo source: Ariel Steiner, own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, created 8 June 2005, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leshan_Giant_Buddha#/media/File:Leshan_Buddha_Statue_View.JPG 

3. It is carved out of a cliff face of Cretaceous³ red bed sandstones at the Lingyun Mountain’s Qigeng Peak, that lies at the confluence of 3 rivers – the Minjiang River, Qingyi River, and Dadu River – in the southern part of Sichuan⁴ province in China, near the city of Leshan⁵.

The entire art piece is built in stone, except for the ears that were designed in wood, covered with mud on the surface to make clay, and attached to the head.

4. The stone sculpture faces Mount Emei⁶, with the rivers (stated above) flowing below its feet.

5. Buddha’s body is placed in a symmetrical posture and the proportions of the various body parts are proportioned in accordance with the Buddharupa⁷ requirements of a statue. It has a calm form, which conforms to the Tang Dynasty¹ style.

6. The hair is composed of 1,021 spiraled curls embedded in the head that measures 14.7 m (48 ft) in height and 10 meters (33 feet) in width. The ears, 7 m (23 ft) long, are capable of holding 2 people inside. The eyebrows and nose are 5.6 m (18 ft) long, and the fingers are 8.3 m (27 ft) long. The mouth and each of the eyes have a width of 3.3 m (11 ft).

Photo source: BrightRaven, own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, created 19 May 2009, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leshan_Giant_Buddha#/media/File:Leshan_Giant_Buddha_head.jpg

His shoulders are 24 m (79 ft) wide and his smallest toenail is large enough to easily accommodate a seated person. His instep is around 8.5 m (28 ft) in width and can hold about a hundred people.

7. The operating hours are 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM from April to October, and from 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM from October until March. Remember, weekends and holidays have more tourists, so go on weekdays.

The most convenient way to get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Leshan⁵ Town is through local bus 13. You can buy a ticket at CNY⁸ 90 per person (check online for current price and entry status for tourists), and this includes a visit to Mahao Cliff Tomb⁹ and a nearby temple.

There is a pedestrian pathway that allows visitors to get a closer look of the statue and appreciate the changing view of its body through multiple perspectives. Just be careful since the plank pathways are steep and narrow.

There are also sightseeing boats good for 35 passengers, and costs CNY⁸ 70 per person. Just be prepared to wait in line.

The adventurous can explore the different pathways throughout this mountain too.

8. The Mount Emei⁶ Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area¹⁰, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, in the World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.

It is one of the 5 World Cultural Heritage sites in the province of Sichuan¹¹, the second most popular provincial attraction, with almost 3 million visitors per year.

9. This statue was designated as a cultural relic and was protected by the Sichuan Provincial People’s Committee after the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1956.

In 1998, the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area Management Committee was formally established.

In 2008, the Mount Emei-Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area Management Committee was formally established, with the main task of developing tourism resources for the said area.

10. Construction started in 723 AD, led by a Chinese monk named Hai Tong. He hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that plagued the ships traveling along the rivers.

Funding was insufficient so the statue was only completed from the shoulders up. Several years after his death, his disciples continued the work on the statue with financial support from Zhangchou Jianxiong, a local official, but only until the knees since the latter was called to work at the royal court in Chang’an¹².

Seventy years later, Jiedushi¹³ Wei Gao¹⁴ decided to sponsor the project and the construction was completed by Hai Tong’s disciples in 803.

11. A sophisticated drainage system was incorporated into this statue when it was built, and you know what? It is still in working order.

It includes drainage pipes carved into various places on the body, to carry away the water after the rains so as to reduce weathering. The advanced drainage system located behind the Buddha’s head and between his two ears preserves it from erosion. The hidden gutters and channels scattered in the hair, collar, chest and holes in the back of the ears and chest carry out the rainwater to keep the inner areas dry. This architectural system prevented the erosion of this statue for more than 1,200 years!

When this statue was carved, a huge 13-storey wood structure was built to shelter it from the rain and sun but this structure was destroyed and sacked by the Mongols during the wars at the end of the Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368). From then on, the stone structure was exposed to the elements.

12. This statue was damaged at the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty (960 – 1279). The body was covered with moss and the wooden pavilion had collapsed.

During the reign of Song Renzong¹⁵, the Giant Buddha was repaired once on a large scale, and the wooden pavilion was rebuilt. Records of succeeding destruction and reconstruction of this statue have been missing and the original temple, Lingyun Temple, had been destroyed by war many times.

13. According to Xinhua News Agency, this statue, along with other Chinese natural and cultural heritage sites in the region have been affected by weathering, air pollution, and the influx of tourists. The government planned restoration work.

In March 2002, the first phase of the repair project by the World Bank officially started. This involved completely renovating the Buddha from the chest up to the head, and strengthening the rock wall. On June 23, 2002, the second phase started, which entailed the repair of the feet and the eroded part of the rock below water level.

The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Leshan Giant Buddha.”¹⁶

So, did Tita S convince you to include this attraction in your China travel bucket list after safe travel will again be allowed? Search for Sichuan tours, like in https://www.chinadiscovery.com/sichuan/tourism/world-heritage-sites.html#1, and tell Tita S about your experience.

This is not a sponsored post. I just want to share with my readers about this stone statue.

Photo source of the Buddha picture used in the cover photo collage: Ariel Steiner, own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, created 8 June 2005, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leshan_Giant_Buddha#/media/File:Leshan_Buddha_Statue_View.JPG

Heads up: Before planning to travel, always get updates regarding local government status, rules, restrictions and safety measures of the destination/s you want to visit, taking into consideration your personal health conditions, and level expectations.

Did you find this post informative? I would like to hear your comment about the Leshan Giant Buddha, especially sharing your experience and photos, if you were able to go there during pre-Covid times.

See other interesting places through other posts in this category and other categories of SCapades, Pinoy Delights, and Smart Travelers – Foreign Travelers Ask, Now You Know, and Say, Say, Say. Happy reading, and I hope that you will appreciate what I shared and some of the featured destinations will be part of your future travel plans!

Do share this post with your Facebook friends, follow me by clicking on the bottom right corner of your device, and do not forget to like this post. Thank you.  

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The following terms are defined for interested readers, especially those with “Senior-Moments”, those not familiar with terms used in this post, and those too busy or lazy to Google such terms:

¹The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China founded by the Li family after seizing power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire. It started in 618, with a period of progress and stability during its first half.

This dynasty is regarded as the golden age of cosmopolitan culture and a high point in Chinese civilization because Chinese culture flourished and further matured during this period. It is traditionally considered the greatest age for Chinese poetry. Woodblock printing, a method of printing on textiles and paper, was developed too.

There was an interregnum between 690 and 705 when Empress Wu Zetian seized the throne from her son, the Emperor Ruizong of Tang, proclaiming the Wu Zhou dynasty and became the only legitimate Chinese Empress Regnant. This lasted until Emperor Zhongzong of Tang was restored to the throne.

The An Lushan Rebellion (755 – 763) led to the decline of the central authority in the dynasty’s latter half, and ultimately ended the dynasty after 289 years, in 907. It was followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period.

The information was obtained from the Wikipedia pages “Tang dynasty”¹⁷ and “Zhou dynasty (690-705)¹⁸.

²Maitreya, or Metteyya, is regarded as a future Buddha of this world, the successor to the present Buddha, Gautama Buddha. In some Buddhist literature, the being is referred to as Ajita.

Maitreya is a bodhisattva¹⁹ who will appear on Earth in the future, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma (cosmic law and order). He is typically pictured seated, with either both feet on the ground or crossed at the ankles, on a throne, waiting for his time. He is dressed in the clothes of either a bhiksu (monk) or Nepali royalty.

The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Maitreya”²⁰.

3The Cretaceous is a geological period that lasted from about 145 to 66 million years ago (mya). It is usually abbreviated K, for its German translation Kreide. It is the third, longest, and final period of the Mesozoic Era²¹.

It was a period with a relatively warm climate and dinosaurs continued to dominate the land. The world was ice-free, and forests extended to the poles. New groups of mammals and birds appeared. At its early stage, flowering plants appeared and began to rapidly diversify to become the dominant group of plants across the Earth. It ended with large mass extinction where many dinosaurs and invertebrates disappeared, caused by climate and atmospheric causes, along with the fall of a large asteroid.

The information was obtained from https://www.euston96.com/en/mesozoic-era/#Characteristics_of_the_Mesozoic_era and the Wikiepdia page “Cretaceous”²².

⁴Sichuan is a landlocked province²³ in Southwest China, with the city of Chengdu as its capital. It occupies most of the Sichuan Basin and the easternmost part of the Tibetan Plateau, between the Daba Mountains in the north, the Jinsha River on the west, the the Yungui Plateau to the south. It was one of the most productive areas of China in the 19^th century.

The area’s warm damp climate encouraged spicy dishes, and the native Sichuan pepper helped to form modern Sichuan cuisine, making Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo Tofu as staples of Chinese cuisine worldwide.

The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Sichuan”.²⁴

⁵Leshan, formerly called Jiading or Jiazhou, is a prefecture-level city²⁵ located at the confluence of the Dadu and Min rivers in Sichuan⁴ Province²², China. It has an area of 12,827.49 km² (4,952.72 sq mi).

It features the following tourist attractions: the Mount Emei⁶ Scenic Area, including the Leshan Giant Buddha¹⁰; the Oriental Buddha Park (a privately run cultural theme park with thousands of reproductions of Buddha statues and Buddhist-themed carvings; and the ancestral home of Gua Moruo, a Chinese writer, academician and politician, in the Shawan District.

Visit its website: www.leshan.gov.cn. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Leshan”.²⁶

⁶Mount Emei is a 3,099-meter (10,167 ft) tall mountain in Sichuan⁴ Province²³, in the city of Leshan⁵, China. It is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China²⁷ so it is regarded as a place of enlightenment (bodhimanda). It sits at the western rim of the Sichuan Basin, and to its west are the mountains called Daxiangling.

This is the location of the first Buddhist temple built in China in the 1^st century. There are 76 Buddhist monasteries of the Ming and Qing dynasties, most of them located near the mountain top. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Beware of Tibetan macaques, one of the largest monkeys in Asia, which often take food from tourists. If you want to feed them, there are local merchants who sell nuts for that purpose.

The information was obtained from the Wikipedia pages “Mount Emei”²⁸ and “Tibetan macaque”²⁹.

⁷Buddharupa refers to the Buddhist statues or models of beings who have obtained Buddhahood, the condition and rank of a buddha “awakened one”. Depictions of the Buddha vary widely across cultures, but here are some attributes of a Buddharupa: fingers and toes elongated proportionately; long and aquiline nose; elongated earlobes; head protuberance, and broad shoulders. Buddharupa literaly means “Form of the Awakened One”. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddharupa for more details.

The information was obtained from the Wikipedia pages “Buddharupa”³⁰ and “Buddhahood”³¹.

⁸CNY, Chinese yuan renminbi, or simply renminbi, is the official currency used in the People’s Republic of China, issued by the People’s Bank of China. The yuan is the basic unit of the renminbi. One yuan divides into ten jiao, and a jiao, in turn, divides into ten fen. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Renminbi”.³²

⁹Mahao Cliff Tomb is located in Maohaowan, a km from the suburbs of Leshan City⁵, Sichuan⁴ Province²³. There are abundant stone carvings in the tomb. The cliff tomb of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) constitutes the tomb gate, tomb passageway and coffin chamber, which is 29.93 m deep, with the widest area measuring 10.9 m, and the highest at 2.8 m. The gate was carved with the images of the upturned eaves and tiers of brackets. A Buddha was engraved on the pillar in the passageway, one of the earliest Buddha sculptures in China.³³

¹⁰Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, is located in Sichuan⁴ Province²², in the city of Leshan⁵, China. It is considered one of Buddhism’s holiest sites. The area is also notable for its exceptionally diverse vegetation, ranging from subtropical to subalpine pine forests. Some of the trees are more than 1,000 years old. This 15,400 hectare property was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety.³⁴

Mount Emei (Emeishan) is an area of exceptional cultural significance as it is the place where Buddhism first became established on Chinese territory and from where it spread widely through the East. The first Buddhist temple was built on the summit of Mount Emei in the first century AD. Now there are over 30 temples on Mount Emei, showcasing Chinese temple architecture and building techniques.³⁴

¹¹The five World Cultural Heritage sites in the province of Sichuan are³⁵:

* Huanglong National Park – It is regarded as an “unmissable site” near Jiuzhaigou, located at Songpan County, Aba Autonomous Prefecture.

* Jiuzhaigou Valley – It is called “Fairytale Land on Earth”, located in Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Autonomous Prefecture.

* Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area¹⁰ – Mount Emei is located at Emeishan City, in Leshan, and is called “The Sacred Buddhist Mountain with Natural Beauty”. The Leshan Giant Buddha is located at the Shizhong District, in Leshan, and is called “The Largest Buddha Statue in the World”, among others (see fact number 2 above).

* Mount Qingcheng, together with Dujiangyan Irrigation System – Mount Qingcheng is an important Taoist Center in China, located in Qingcheng Mountain Town, Dujiangyan, Chengdu. Dujiangyan Irrigation System is called a “Magical Ecological Engineering Feat”, located on the Minjiang River at the west of Dujiangyan, in Chengdu.

*Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries – This is the flagship area for Giant Panda conservation, located in Mount Siguniang, the Jianjin Mountains, and Wolong. There are two bases: Shenshuping Panda Base (in Wolong) and Dujiang Panda Base.

¹²Chang’an was an ancient capital of more than 10 dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi’an, Shaanxi province. Chang’an means “perpetual peace”. During its heyday, it was one of the largest and most populous cities in the world. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Chang’an”.³⁶

¹³Jiedushi is the title for regional military governors in China, intoduced in 711 during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907), and abolished in the Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368). A jiedushi supervises several prefectures, maintains his own army, collects taxes, and promotes and appoints subordinates. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Jiedushi”.³⁷

¹⁴Wei Gao (745 – 805) was a general of the Tang Dynasty of China. He was a jiedushi¹² of Xichuan Circuit, with headquarters in modern Chengdu, Sichuan⁴, known for his campaigns against the Tibetan empire and his reopening of relationship between Tang and Nanzhao. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Wei Gao”.³⁸

¹⁵Emperor Renzong of Song (1010 – 1063) was the 4^th emperor of the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279) in China. He was the longest reigning Song Dynasty emperor, 1022 till his death in 1063, for a total of 41 years. His original personal name was Zhao Shouyi, but was changed by imperial decree in 1018 to Zhao Zhen, meaning “auspicious” in Chinese. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Emperor Renzong of Song”.³⁹

¹⁶“Leshan Giant Buddha,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leshan_Giant_Buddha 

¹⁷“Tang dynasty,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_dynasty

¹⁸“Zhou dynasty (690-705),” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhou_dynasty_(690-705) 

¹⁹A bodhisattva refers to a person who is on the path towards Buddhahood, the condition and rank of a buddha “awakened one”. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Bodhisattva”⁴⁰.

²⁰“Maitreya,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreya 

²¹The Mesozoic Era, or the Middle Life Era, was a period of the Earth from about 252 million years to about 66 million years ago. It began in the Triassic Period and ended in the Cretaceous Period. It is also known as the Reptile Era or the Dinosaur Era since dinosaurs and giant reptiles and beasts roamed the earth. The continents began to separate to move to the position they have today. Botanically, it is known as the Age of the Cycads. The atmosphere was warmer than it is today, and the polar zones did not yet exist.⁴¹ For more information, see https://www.euston96.com/en/mesozoic-era/.

²²“Cretaceous,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretaceous

²³A province is the highest administrative division in the People’s Republic of China. There is a total of 23 provinces. Every province on mainland China has a Communist Party of China provincial committee, headed by a Secretary. Under the latter is a governor. In practice, the day-to-day affairs are managed by a provincial party standing committee, which makes decisions for a province, analogous to the Politburo for the central government. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Provinces of China”.⁴²

²⁴“Sichuan,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan 

²⁵A prefecture-level city in China is an administrative division which ranks below a province²³, and above a county. The first of its kind was created on November 5, 1983. The administrative chief (mayor) generally has the same rank as a division chief of a national ministry. It is often not a city; instead, it typically consists of a main central urban area and its much larger surrounding rural area containing many smaller cities, towns and villages. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Prefecture-level city”.⁴³

²⁶“Leshan,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leshan

²⁷The Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China are the sacred mountains in Buddhism which are important destinations for pilgrimage.

* Emei¹⁰ Shan, or High and Lofty Mountain, located in Sichuan⁴ Province²³ – It is 3,099 m (10,167 ft) high. The patron bodhisattva¹⁸ of Emei is Samantabhadra, known in Chinese as Puxian.

* Jiuhua Shan, or Nine Glories Mountain, located in Anhui Province – It is 1,341 m (4,400 ft) high. Many of its shrines and temples are dedicated to Ksitigarbha (known in Chinese as Dizang), who is a bodhisattva¹⁸ and protector of beings in hell realms.

* Putuo Shan, or Mount Potalaka, located in Zhejiang Province – It is 284 m (932 ft) high. It is considered the bodhimanda⁴⁴ of Avalokitesvara (Guan Yin), Bodhisattva of Compassion.

* Wutai Shan, or Five-Platform Mountain, located in Shanzi Province – It is the home of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Manjusri or Wenshu. It is 3,058 m (10,033 ft) high.

The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Sacred Mountains of China”.⁴⁵

²⁸“Mount Emei,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Emei 

²⁹“Tibetan macaque,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_macaque 

³⁰“Buddharupa,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddharupa 

³¹“Buddhahood,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhahood 

³²“Renminbi,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renminbi 

³³http://en.chinaculture.org/library/2008-02/15/content_32669.htm 

³⁴https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/779/#:~:text=Video-,Mount%20Emei%20Scenic%20Area%2C%20including%20Leshan%20Giant%20Buddha%20Scenic%20Area,one%20of%20Buddhism’s%20holiest%20sites. 

³⁵“Chang’an,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27an 

³⁶https://www.chinadiscovery.com/sichuan/tourism/world-heritage-sites.html 

³⁷“Jiedushi,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiedushi 

³⁸“Wei Gao,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wei_Gao 

³⁹“Emperor Renzong of Song,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Renzong_of_Song 

⁴⁰“Bodhisattva,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva 

⁴¹Gabriela Briceño, https://www.euston96.com/en/mesozoic-era/ 

⁴²“Provinces of China,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_China 

⁴³“Prefecture-level city,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefecture-level_city 

⁴⁴Bodhimanda is a Buddhist term meaning “the position of awakening”. It is “a place used as a seat, where the essence of enlightenment is present”. It is believed to be a spiritually pure place, conducive to meditation and enlightenment. It is regularly visited by Buddhist pilgrims, and some have become popular secular tourist destinations too. The Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China²⁶ are examples of the famous bodhimandas in China. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Bodhimanda”.⁴⁶

⁴⁵“Sacred Mountains of China,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Mountains_of_China 

⁴⁶“Bodhimanda,” accessed February 11, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhimanda

A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE AND NATIONAL SHRINE: MIAGAO CHURCH (Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines)

Aside from grand mansions, the province of Iloilo¹ offers historical and beautiful churches to visit. I am blessed to have visited one of them – Miagao Church.

Allow Tita S to tell you a dozen facts about Miagao Church:

1. Miagao Church, or the Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in the town of Miagao², in the province of Iloilo¹, in the Western Visayas Region³ of the Philippines, consecrated in 1581 and founded in 1731 by Spanish Augustinian missionaries.

2. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site⁴ on December 11, 1993, together with San Agustin Church in Manila, Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Church in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, and San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, under the collective title Baroque Churches of the Philippines, a collection of four Baroque Spanish-era churches in the Philippines. See a related post: Seniors, Now You Know: WHAT ARE THE WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN THE PHILIPPINES?

3. This church is dedicated to Saint Thomas of Villanova (1488 – 1555), a Spanish friar of the Order of Saint Augustine, who was a noted preacher and religious writer of his day. He became an archbishop who was famous for the extent of his care for the poor of his See. He is also called Saint Thomas of Villanueva, named after Villanueva de los Infantes, a municipality in the province of Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, in Spain, where he grew up and was educated. He was canonized on November 1, 1658 by Pope Alexander VII.

Old master print of St. Thomas in Portraits of Illustrious Spaniards (Madrid, 1791) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_of_Villanova#/media/File: Tom%C3%A1s_de_Villanueva.jpg

4. The current location of this church is at the highest point of the town of Miagao² to guard against invaders, with the first building constructed in 1787 and completed in 1797. After severe damage during the Spanish Revolution in 1898, a fire in 1910, World War II, and an earthquake in 1948, the current church is the third church built since it was founded in 1731. It underwent restoration in 1960 and was completed in 1962.

5. It was declared a National Shrine⁵ through Presidential Decree No. 260, along with other shrines, monuments and landmarks, by President Ferdinand Marcos on August 1, 1973.

6. It has a Baroque Romanesque architectural style. This fortress-looking church has thick walls with sturdy pillars, large towers, and decorative arcading of semi-circular arches in windows and doorways.

The barrel vault concept is used in the ceiling, from the entrance of the church up to the altar, with antique hanging chandeliers over the pews. The church has also earned the distinction of being one of the best examples of Baroque churches in the country.⁶ 

7. Its unique ochre color is due to the materials used in construction – adobe, egg whites, coral and limestone.

Yes, egg whites, dearest readers! The coral was pulverized and formed into a durable mortar, mixed with natural lime as well as egg whites as emulsifier. Inquisitive readers, you might ask, what do they do with all the egg yolks? Obviously, these are not thrown away. Instead, the egg yolks were used to make wonderful sweets and desserts, like yemas and flans!⁷

During my January 2020 visit, I noticed the restoration made in this church, colored ochre too.

8. The church’s foundation is 6 meters deep and the massive stone walls, 1.5 meters thick, are intensified through the use of 4-meter thick setback buttresses as protection against the Moro⁸ invaders, as stipulated under Royal Decree 111 of 1573 (Law of the Indies)⁹. The Moros repeatedly invaded Miagao² sometime during the middle of the 18^th These features fortified the church, and with its location at the highest point of the town, and reportedly, secret passages, this church became so secure, almost like a fortress, thus it was sometimes referred to as the Miag-ao Fortress Church.

9. Its facade consists of an ornately decorated bas-relief in the middle of two huge watchtower belfries on each side. The unique bas-relief is a mixed influence of Medieval Spanish, Chinese, Muslim and local traditions and elements. A prominent part of the facade is a large coconut tree which reaches almost the apex. An integral part of the Philippine landscape, the coconut tree is depicted here as the tree of life to which St. Christopher¹⁰, dressed in local and traditional clothing, clings on to, as he carries the Child Jesus on his shoulder. The rest of the facade features the daily life of the people of Miagao² in their native dress during the time, including native flora (e.g., coconut, palm tree and papaya) and fauna.

I could not help but admire the fusion of four cultures in the bas-relief, quite unique indeed! No wonder Miagao church was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site⁴!

10. Above the wooden door entrance, at the center of the facade, just below the image of St. Christopher¹⁰, is a carved image of the town’s patron saint, St. Thomas of Villanueva. At each side of the door are the images of St. Henry of Bavaria¹¹ on the left and Pope Pius VI¹². Above these images are their respective coats-of-arms.

11. The two huge unequal bell towers are directly attached to the main church to serve as watchtowers in defending the town against Moro invasions then. These have two different designs since they were commissioned by two different priests. On the left side is the older belfry, the taller west belfry, with four levels. Originally, the east belfry was constructed with only two levels. It was in 1830 when Father Francisco Perez decided to add another story to the east belfry. Until now, the east belfry (three levels) is one level shorter than the west belfry (four levels).

I personally found the uneven and different bell towers to be interesting – creating a unique architectural feature, and adding to the charm of Miagao Church!

12. The original late 1790s images of St. Thomas of Villanova can also be found enclosed in a glass case in the rear side of the church. Unfortunately, I did not have time to go to this part of the church.

To summarize, this National Shrine and UNESCO World Heritage Site³ church is worth the visit, what with its history as well as its unique architecture with local designs and features that I described above. And why not set a schedule to hear mass in this historical church during your visit, like we did? Just check the schedule of masses with your tour guide.

The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Miagao Church”¹³ and “Miagao”¹⁴.

Did you find this post informative? I would like to hear from you regarding your visit to Miagao Church.

See other interesting places through other posts in this category and other categories of SCapades, Pinoy Delights, and Smart Travelers – Foreign Travelers Ask, Now You Know, and Say, Say, Say. Happy reading, and I hope that you will appreciate what I shared and some of the featured destinations will be part of your future travel plans!

Do share this post with your Facebook friends, follow me by clicking on the bottom right corner of your device, and do not forget to like this post. Thank you.

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The following terms are defined for interested readers, especially those with “Senior-Moments”, not familiar with the Philippines, and those too busy or lazy to Google such terms:

¹Iloilo is a province located in the Western Visayas Region³ of the Philippines, founded in 1566. It occupies the central and eastern sections of Panay Island¹⁵, bordered by the province of Antique to the west, Capiz to the north, the Jintotolo Channel to the northeast, the Guimaras Strait to the east, and the Iloilo Strait and Panay Gulf to the southwest. Its capital is Iloilo City¹⁶. It consists of 42 municipalities and two cities (Iloilo City and Passi City). The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Iloilo”.¹⁷ You may visit its website: www.iloilo.gov.ph

²Miagao, also written as Miag-ao, is a coastal town in the province of Iloilo¹ in the Western Visayas Region³ of the Philippines, politically subdivided into 119 barangays. This first-class municipality is considered the “Onion Capital of the Visayas”. After the recognition of the Miagao Church as a UNESCO World Heritage Site⁴, the entire town was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage City¹⁸ and became a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC)¹⁹.

³Western Visayas is an administrative region in the Philippines, also known as Region VI, with a land area of 20,794.18 km² (8,028.68 sq.mi.). It consists of 6 provinces (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo¹ and Negros Occidental), 2 highly urbanized cities (Bacolod City and Iloilo City¹⁵), 14 component cities, 117 municipalities, and 4,051 barangays. It is considered the most populous region in the Visayas. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Western Visayas”.²⁰

⁴A World Heritage Site (WHS) is a unique landmark, or geographically and historically identifiable place, which is selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having cultural, historical, scientific, physical or other form of significance, and is legally protected by international treaties. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “World Heritage Site”.²¹ See my post about the WHSs in the Philippines – (place link here)

⁵A national shrine is a Catholic church, or other sacred place, that has met certain requirements and is given this honor by the national episcopal conference²² to recognize the church’s special historical, cultural and religious significance. There are 26 national shrines in the Philippines, and Miagao Church in Iloilo is one of them. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “National shrine”.²³

 ⁶https://business.inquirer.net/238620/church-hopping-iloilo#ixzz6C2oYj4Iq

⁷https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/151867/do-spanish-colonial-structures-need-steel-reinforcement/#ixzz6Bkoh2PJ1

⁸The collective term Moro people, or Bangsamoro people, refers to the 13 Islamized ethnolinguistic groups of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan: Badjao, Iranun, Jama Mapun, Kalagan, Kalibugan, Maguindanao, Maranaw, Molbog, Palawanon, Sama, Sangil, Tausug and Yakan.

They form the largest non-Christian majority population in the Philippines, which is about 5 million people. Most Moros are followers of Sunni Islam of the Shafi’i madh’hab. The Muslim Moros originally had an independent state known as the Sulu Sultanate, which once exercised sovereignty over the present-day provinces of Basilan, Palawan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, the eastern part of the Malaysian state of Sabah (formerly North Borneo), and North Kalimantan in Indonesia.

Today, the Moro people mostly live in southwest Mindanao, Sulu and Basilan. Small communities can also be found in most large modern cities of the Philippines, including Manila, Cebu, and Davao. Some emigrated to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei in the late 20^th century due to the Moro conflict in Mindanao.

The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Moro people”.²⁴

⁹The Law of the Indies refers to the entire body of law promulgated by the Spanish crown during the 16^th, 17^th, and 18^th centuries, for the government of its colonies outside Europe.²⁵

¹⁰St. Christopher (unknown – c.251) is widely known as the patron saint of travelers (especially long distances) since legend tells that he carried a child, who was unknown to him, across a river before the child revealed himself as Christ. But, dearest Seniors, did you know that he is also revered by athletes, mariners, ferrymen, archers, bachelors, boatmen, soldiers, bookbinders, fruit dealers, gardeners, market carriers, motorists, drivers, sailors, surfers, transportation workers, and mountaineers, and is recognized as well as the protector against lightning, pestilence, epilepsy, floods, storms, and toothache? Wow, so many! The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “St. Christopher”.²⁶

¹¹St. Henry of Bavaria (973 – 1024), also known as St. Henry the Exuberant, was the son of Duke Henry II, Duke of Bavaria, and Gisela of Burgundy. Through his father, he was grandson of Henry I, Duke of Bavaria, and the great-grandson of King Henry I of Germany. By his mother, he was the grandson of King Conrad I of Burgundy, and the great-grandson of King Rudolf II of Burgundy. He was canonized in July 1147 by Pope Bl. Eugenius III, and is the patron saint of the city of Basel, Switzerland.

He became an oblate of the Benedictine Order, and today, is venerated within the Order as the patron saint of all oblates, along with St. Frances of Rome. He was crowned by the Pope as the Holy Roman Emperor (1014 – his death in 1024) and was the last member of the Ottonian dynasty of emperors as he had no children. He reigned as Duke of Bavaria from 995 – 1004, and was crowned King of Germany in 1002 and King of Italy in 1004.

The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor”.²⁷

¹²Pope Pius VI (1717 – 1799), born Count Giovanni Angelo Braschi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States²⁸ from February 15, 1775 to his death in 1799. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Pope Pius VI”.²⁹

¹³“Miagao Church,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miagao_Church

¹⁴“Miagao,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miagao

¹⁵Panay Island is the 6^th largest and 4^th most populous island in the Philippines, located in the Western Visayas Region³ of the Philippines, with a total land area of 12,011 km² (4,637 sq mi). This triangular island is located in the western part of the Visayas and consists of 4 provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo¹. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Panay Island”.³⁰

¹⁶Iloilo City is a highly urbanized city on the southeastern tip of Panay Island¹⁴ in the Philippines. It was founded in 1566, recognized as a city in 1889, and as a highly urbanized city in 1979. It is the capital of the province of Iloilo¹ where it is geographically situated but, in terms of government and administration, it is politically independent. It is the regional capital of the Western Visayas Region³ and the regional hub of education, healthcare, tourism, culture, industry and economy. It is also the regional center of government offices, financial institutions and government-owned and controlled corporations. It has 180 barangays. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Iloilo City”.³¹ You may visit its website: www.iloilocity.gov.ph

¹⁷“Iloilo,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iloilo

¹⁸A UNESCO World Heritage City is a city chosen by, and a member of, the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC). It must possess two characteristics: (1) It is a location of a living urban fabric of historic or contemporary interest. Its outstanding universal value has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and has been registered in the World Heritage list. (2) It has to adhere to the values of the OWHC and ensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Organization of World Heritage Cities”.³²

¹⁹The Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization of 250 cities in which sites of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage list are located. It was founded in 1993 in Fez, Morocco, during the second International Symposium of World Heritage Cities. Its headquarters is located in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Since its first General Assembly, the member cities have been meeting every two years. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Organization of World Heritage Cities”.³²

²⁰“Western Visayas,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Visayas

²¹“World Heritage Site,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site

²²An episcopal conference, sometimes called a conference of bishops, is an official assembly of the bishops of the Catholic Church in a given territory. It is generally defined by geographic borders, often a national one, with all the bishops in a given country belonging to the same conference, although they may include neighboring countries.³³

²³“National shrine,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_shrine

²⁴“Moro people,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_people

²⁵https://www.britannica.com/event/Laws-of-the-Indies

²⁶“St. Christopher,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Christopher

²⁷“Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperor

²⁸Papal States refers to the series of territories in the Italian Peninsula, under the direct sovereign rule of the Pope, from the 8^th century until 1870. At their zenith, the Papal States covered most of the modern Italian regions of Lazio (which includes Rome), Marche, Umbria and Romagna, and portions of Emilia. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Papal States”.³⁴

²⁹“Pope Pius VI,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Pius_VI

³⁰“Panay Island,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panay_Island

³¹“Iloilo City,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iloilo_City

³²“Organization of World Heritage Cities,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization_of_World_Heritage_Cities

³³“Episcopal conference,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_conference

³⁴“Papal States,” accessed January 17, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_States

WHAT ARE THE WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN THE PHILIPPINES?

We have always heard of the term World Heritage Site, but do we really know what it is all about and how it is selected? And, do we know the World Heritage sites in the Philippines? Well, look and wonder no more!

WHAT IS A WORLD HERITAGE SITE? HOW IS IT SELECTED?

A World Heritage Site (WHS) is a unique landmark, or geographically and historically identifiable place, which is selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having cultural, historical, scientific, physical or other form of significance, and is legally protected by international treaties.

Sites are demarcated by UNESCO as protected zones. The list is maintained by the International World Heritage Program administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 state parties which are elected by the General Assembly. Under certain conditions, listed sites can obtain funds from the World Heritage Fund.

As of July 2018, there are a total of 1,092 World Heritage sites across 167 countries (845 cultural, 209 natural, and 38 mixed properties). The top countries with the most sites are: Italy (54), China (53), Spain (47), France (44), Germany (44), India (37), and Mexico (35).

But how is a site selected? UNESCO mandates a nomination process. It starts when a country lists its significant cultural and natural sites to form a Tentative List. It can then place sites selected from that list into a Nomination File which is evaluated by the International Council on Monuments and Sites and the World Conservation Union. These bodies then make their recommendations to the World Heritage Committee. The Committee meets once a year to determine whether or not to inscribe each nominated property on the World Heritage List, and sometimes defers or refers the decision to request more information from the country that nominated the site.

Wow! Sites are well screened.and countries should be really proud of their World Heritage sites and protect/preserve them!

There are 10 selection criteria and a site must meet at least one of them to be included in the list:

CULTURAL CRITERIA:

1. It represents a masterpiece of human creative genius and cultural significance;
2. It exhibits an important interchange of human values, over a span of time, or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning, or landscape design;
3. It bears a unique, or at least, exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition, or to a civilization which is living, or which has disappeared;
4. It is an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural, or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates a significant stage in human history;
5. It is an outstanding example of a type of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture, or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change;
6. It is directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literally works of outstanding universal significance;

NATURAL CRITERIA:

7. It contains superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;
8. It is an outstanding example representing major stages of Earth’s history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;
9. It is an outstanding example representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems, and communities of plants and animals; and,
10. It contains the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.

All information were obtained from the Wikipedia page “World Heritage site”.¹

WHO CAN NOMINATE SITES TO BE WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN THE PHILIPPINES?

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Museum of the Philippines, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and other heritage agencies, are the prime nominators of the Philippines. The permanent Delegation of the Philippines to UNESCO, universities and NGOs can also nominate sites in the Tentative List.

I am just wondering why it took so long for the Philippines to have sites declared as such. Here is what I found out: in the 1990s, Filipino architect Augusto Villalon represented the Philippines in the UNESCO Committee and drafted the nomination dossiers of five heritage inscriptions, and all of them were declared as UNESCO World Heritage sites from 1993 to 1999 (see list below). However, after Villalon retired, the country had a 14-year drought in UNESCO World Heritage designations. Since 2014, six sites have been on the World Heritage site list, spanning nine locations: three are cultural and three are natural. In 2015, 28 sites in the Tentative List were revised, with 9 submissions for possible nomination in the future.

All information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “List of World Heritage sites in the Philippines”.²

WHAT ARE THE WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN THE PHILIPPINES?

Filipinos, be proud, we have six World Heritage sites and I will list them in order of recognition:

1. 16^th century Baroque Churches of the Philippines: San Agustin Church (City of Manila), Santa Maria Church (Ilocos Sur), Paoay Church (Ilocos Norte), and Miagao Church (Iloilo) – inscription: 1993; minor boundary modification: 2013, based on cultural criteria 2 and 4 (see previous topic). All four churches have been declared National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines³.

(l-r): Miagao Church, Paoay Church, San Agustin Church and Santa Maria Church (photographers: Wowleology and Patrick Roque, featured at http://www.en.wikipedia.org)

2. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (Palawan) -inscription: 1993; extension: 2009, based on natural criteria 7, 9 and 10 (see previous topic). It is said to have been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴. It is one of the New7Wonders of Nature⁵, an ASEAN Heritage Park⁶, and a Ramsar Wetland Site⁷. It is also located within the Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Resesrve⁸.

 Tubbataha Reef (photographers: Nikswieweg, Ron Van Oers and Jun V Lao, featured at http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubbataha_Reef)

3. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras – inscription: 1995, based on cultural criteria 3, 4 and 5 (see previous topic). It is located in the Ifugao province of the Cordillera Region and dates back to 100 BC. The inscription includes 5 properties: the Bangaan Rice Terraces, Batad Rice Terraces (both in Banaue), Hungduan Rice Terraces (in Hungduan), Mayoyao Rice Terraces (in Mayoyao), and Nagacadan Rice Terraces (in Kiangan). These rice terraces have been declared as National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines³.

Batad Rice Terraces in Banaue and Nagacadan Rice Terraces in Kiangan (photographers: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas and Shubert Ciencia, featured at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_Terraces_of_the_Philippine_Cordilleras)

4. The Historic City of Vigan (Ilocos Sur) – inscription: 1999, based on cultural criteria 2 and 4 (see previous topic). This 16^th century site is one of the New7Wonders Cities⁹. The Mestizo Section, House of Father Jose Burgos¹⁰ and Leona Florentino¹¹ have been declared as National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines³.

Calle Crisologo, Vigan (photographer: Joelaldor,  http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigan)

5. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Palawan) – inscription: 1999, based on natural criteria 7 and 10 (see previous topic). It is said to have been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴. It is part of the Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve⁸ and a declared Ramsar Wetland Site⁷.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan; photo from http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Princesa_Subterranean_River_National_Park

6. Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (Davao Oriental) – inscription: 2014, based on natural criteria 10 (see previous topic). It is said to have been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴. It is declared as an ASEAN Heritage Park⁶.

Mount Hamiguitan inDavao Oriental; photo from http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hamiguitan

Perhaps, if you have not yet visited the aforementioned sites, why don’t you include these in your 2019 bucket list?

All information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “List of World Heritage sites in the Philippines”.²

THE TENTATIVE LIST FOR THE PHILIPPINES

There are 19 sites that are included in the Tentative List for the Philippines for the Philippine government to nominate as WHSs in the future:²

1. Apo Reef National Park (Sulu Sea), based on natural criteria 7, 9 and 10 (see criteria topic). It is said to have been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴. This site is the second biggest producer of juvenile marine fishes in the world, next to the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
2. Baroques Churches of the Philippines (extension), based on cultural criteria 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (see criteria topic). – Boljoon Church (Cebu), Guiuan Church (Eastern Samar), Lazi Church (Siquijor), Loboc Church (Bohol), and Tumauini Church (Isabela) – All five 18^th to 19^th century baroque churches have been declared as National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines³.
3. Batanes Protected landscapes and seascapes (mixed criteria, see criteria topic) – It is said to have been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴ and 100 AD. The Mahatao Church of Batanes is a declared National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines³.
4. Butuan Archeological Sites (Agusan del Norte), based on cultural criteria 3, 4 and 5 (see criteria topic). This 10^th century site showcases the pre-Hispanic Rajahnate of Butuan¹² as a nation with great expertise in boat-making, seafaring, and gold manufacturing.
5. Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (Bohol), based on natural criteria 6 and 7 (see criteria topic). This site has been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴and is the focal property of the proposed Bohol Global Geopark Reserve.
6. Coron Island Natural Biotic Area (Palawan), based on cultural criteria 3 and natural criteria 9 and 10 (see criteria topic). It is part of the Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve⁸.
7. El Nido – Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, based on natural criteria 9 and 10 (see criteria topic). It is said to have been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴ and is within the Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve⁸.
8. Kabayan Mummy Burial Caves (Benguet), based on cultural criteria 1 – 6 (see criteria topic). This site has been in existence since 100 AD and has been listed by the World Monuments Fund¹³ for immediate international conservation. It is also declared as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines³.
9. Mayon Volcano Natural Park (Albay), based on natural criteria 7 and 10 (see criteria topic). This site has been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴ and is the central property of the Albay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve⁸.
10. Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park (Mindoro), based on natural criteria 9 and 10 (see criteria topic). This site has been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴and is a declared ASEAN Heritage Park⁶.
11. Mount Malindang Range Natural Park (Misamis Occidental), based on natural criteria 7, 9 and 10 (see criteria topic). This site has been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴ and is a declared ASEAN Heritage Park⁶.
12. Mount Mantalingajan Protected Landscape (Palawan), based on natural criteria 9 and 10 (see criteria topic). It is said to have been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴ and is part of the Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve⁸.
13. Mount Pulag National Park (Ifugao, Nueva Viscaya and Benguet), based on natural criteria 9 and 10 (see criteria topic). It is said to have been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴ and is the third highest point in the Philippines.
14. Neolithic Shell Midden Sites in Lal-lo and Gattaran Municipalities (Cagayan), based on cultural criteria 2 – 5 (see criteria topic). This site has been in existence since the Neolithic Period¹⁴ and is the largest shell midden¹⁵ zone in the Philippine archipelago.
15. Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and outlying areas inclusive of the buffer zone (Isabela), based on natural criteria 9 and 10 (see criteria topic). It is said to have been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴ and is the largest national park in the Philippines.
16. Paleolithic Archaeological Sites in Cagayan Valley – Awidon Mesa Formation Paleolithic Sites of Solana in Cagayan Province and the Callao Limestone Formation Paleolithic Sites of Peñablanca in Cagayan Province, based on cultural criteria 2 – 5 (see criteria topic). This site has been in existence since the Paleolithic Period¹⁶ and includes the location where the bone fragments of Callao Man, the oldest hominid¹⁷ found in the Philippines, was located.
17. Petroglyphs¹⁸ and Petrographs¹⁹of the Philippines – Alab Petroglyphs of Mountain Province, Anda Peninsula Petrographs of Eastern Bohol, Angono Petroglyphs of Rizal, Peñablanca Petrographs of Cagayan Province, and Singnapan Caves Petrographs of southern Palawan, based on cultural criteria 3 (see criteria topic). These multiple sites have been in existence since the Paleolithic Period¹⁶. The Alab, Angono and Singnapan sites have been declared as National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines³. The site in Angono has been listed by World Monuments Fund¹³.
18. The Tabon Cave Complex and all of Lipuun (Palawan), based on cultural criteria 2 – 5 (see criteria topic). This site has been in existence since the Paleolithic Period¹⁶ and is a declared National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines³ due to the Tabon Man²⁰ discovery in the area. It was listed by the World Monuments Fund¹³.
19. Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (Tawi-Tawi), based on natural criteria 9 and 10 (see criteria topic). It is said to have been in existence since the Pleistocene Epoch⁴ and is a major green sea turtle breeding and hatchery zone in the Asia-Pacific.

Another wow! These are 19 possible additions to our local travel bucket list!

The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “List of World Heritage sites in the Philippines”.²

Did you find this post informative? I would like to hear from you. Have you ever been to any of these sites? Simply scroll to “Leave a Reply” and enter your comment in the box. Please scroll and click the “Like” tab and “Facebook” to share this post. Do not forget to follow me by clicking “Follow” on the lower right corner of your device.

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The following terms are defined for interested readers, especially non-Filipinos, those with “Senior-Moments”, and those too busy or lazy to Google such terms:

¹“World Heritage site,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_site.

²“List of World Heritage sites in the Philippines,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_sites_in_the_Philippines.

³A National Cultural Treasure (NCT) of the Philippines is a unique tangible (movable and immovable) or intangible cultural property found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is highly significant and important to the country and nation, declared by the National Commission for Culture and Arts and other cultural agencies such as the National Museum of the Philippines, National Library of the Philippines, and National Archives of the Philippines, authorized under the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 and recognized within the Cultural Properties of the Philippines by the Philippine government. This information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “List of National Cultural Treasures in the Philippines”.²¹

⁴Pleistocene Epoch, or Ice Age, is the geological epoch from about 2,588,000 to 11,700 years ago, spanning the world’s most recent period of repeated glaciations, according to the Wikipedia page “Pleistocene”.²²

⁵New7Wonders of Nature (2007-2011) was an initiative led by Bernard Weber who organized the New 7 Wonders Foundation, and attracted 100 million voters worldwide to create a list of seven new natural wonders:  the Amazon Rainforest and River (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuaodr, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela), Halong Bay (Vietnam), Jeju Island (South Korea), Iguazú (Argentina/Brazil), Puerto Pricesa Subterranean River National Park (Philippines), Komodo Island (Indonesia), and Table Mountain (South Africa), according to Wikipedia page “New7Wonders of Nature”.²³

⁶The Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Heritage Park is a project of the ASEAN Ministers of Environment to list heritage parks in the region of particular biodiversity importance or exceptional uniqueness among member states, to implement regional conservation and management action plans. Thirty-seven ASEAN Heritage Parks have been designated since the last inscription in November 2015. This information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “ASEAN Heritage Parks”.²⁴

⁷Ramsar Wetland Site is a wetland recognized for its economic, cultural, scientific and recreational value, based on the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, signed in the city of Ramsar, in Iran, in 1971, according to Wikipedia page “List of Ramsar sites in the Philippines”.²⁵

⁸A Biosphere Reserve is an internationally recognized area comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems, nominated by a national government to the Man and Biosphere Programme, an intergovernmental program, launched in 1971 by the United Nations Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), according to the Wikipedia page “Man and the Biosphere Programme”.²⁶

⁹New7Wonders Cities (2011-2014) was another initiative led by Bernard Weber who organized the New 7 Wonders Foundation, and attracted voters worldwide to create a list of seven cities which best represent the achievements and aspirations of our global urban civilization: Beirut (Lebanon), Doha (Qatar), Durban (South Africa), Havana (Cuba), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), La Paz (Bolivia), and Vigan (Philippines). This information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “New7Wonders Cities”.²⁷

¹⁰Fr. Jose Burgos (1837-1872) was a Filipino Catholic priest who was accused of mutiny by the Spanish colonial authorities, underwent a mock trial, and was executed in Manila, along with two other clergymen, according to the Wikipedia page “Jose Burgos”.²⁸

¹¹Leona Florentino (1849-1884) was a Filipino poet in the Spanish and Ilocano languages, considered “the mother of Philippine women’s literature” and the “bridge from oral to literary tradition,” according to the Wikipedia page “Leona Florentino”.²⁹

¹²The Rajahnate of Butuan (before 1001-1756) was an Indic polity³⁰ centered on present Mindanao island in the modern city of Butuan, in southern Philippines. It was known for gold mining, gold products, and its extensive trade network across the Nusantara area³¹, with trading relationships with the ancient civilizations of Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Persia and Thailand. This information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Rajahnate of Butuan”.³²

¹³World Monuments Fund is a private, international, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic architecture and cultural heritage sites around the world through fieldwork, advocacy, grantmaking, education, and training, according to the Wikipedia page “World Monuments Fund”.³³

¹⁴The Neolithic Period (around 8000 – 2000 BC), or New Stone Age, is the period of the Stone Age which started in the Middle East, characterized by the development of agriculture, pottery, and the making of polished stone implements.³⁴

¹⁵Shell middens are places where debris from eating shellfish (clams, oysters, whelks, mussels) and other food has accumulated over time, found on the coast, inland lakes, swamps, and river banks, indicative of Aboriginal activities in the past. They can contain: shellfish remains; bones of fish, birds, and land and sea mammals used for food; charcoal from campfires; and, tools made from stone, shell and bone.³⁵

¹⁶The Paleolithic Period, or Old Stone Age (2.6 million – 10,000 years ago), is the period in human prehistory distinguished by the original development of stone tools, with humans living a nomadic lifestyle in small groups, and their survival depended heavily on their environment and climate.³⁶

¹⁷A hominid is a primate of a family (Hominidae) of erect bipedal primate mammals that includes humans, their fossil ancestors and some of the great apes (the orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee and bonobo).³⁷

¹⁸Petroglyphs are images created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, or abrading, as a form of rock art, often associated with prehistoric people, according to the Wikipedia page “Petroglyph”.³⁸

¹⁹Petrographs are drawings, writings, or inscriptions on stone, as a painting on a cave wall.³⁹

²⁰Tabon Man refers to collective remains discovered by Robert B. Fox, an American anthropologist of the national Museum of the Philippines, in the Tabon Caves in Lipuun Point in the municipality of Quezon, in the west coast of the province of Palawan, in the Philippines, on May 28, 1962. The remains, the fossilized fragments of a skull and jawbone of three individuals, were believed to be one of the earliest human remains known in the Philippines which date back to 16,500 years ago. This information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Tabon Man”.⁴⁰

²¹“List of National Cultural Treasures in the Philippines,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Cultural_Treasures_in_the_Philippines.

²² “Pleistocene,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocene.

²³“New7Wonders of Nature,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/New7Wonders_of_Nature.

²⁴“ASEAN Heritage Parks,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASEAN_Heritage_Parks.

²⁵“List of Ramsar sites in the Philippines,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ramsar_sites_in_the_Philippines.

²⁶“Man and the Biosphere Programme,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_and_Biosphere_Programme.

²⁷“New7Wonders Cities,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/New7Wonders_Cities.

²⁸“Jose Burgos,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Burgos.

²⁹“Leona Florentino,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leona_Florentino.

³⁰Indic polity refers to traditional Southeast Asian political formations, such as federation of kingdoms under a center of domination, according to the Wikipedia page “Mandala (political model)”.⁴¹

³¹The Nusantara area, or Maritime Southeast Asia, is the local Malayo-Polynesian name for the region which consists of what is now Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Timor Leste. This information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Maritime Southeast Asia”.⁴²

³²“Rajahnate of Butuan,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajahnate_of_Butuan.

³³ “World Monuments Fund,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Monuments_Fund.

³⁴www.ancient.eu and www.yourdictionary.com

³⁵www.environment.nsw.gov.au

³⁶www.diffen.com

³⁷www.merriam-webster.com

³⁸ “Petroglyph,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroglyph.

³⁹www.en.m.wiktionary.org

⁴⁰“Tabon Man,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabon_Man.

⁴¹“Mandala (political model),” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala_(political_model).

⁴²“Maritime Southeast Asia,” accessed April 16, 2018, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_Aouthwast_Asia.