Simbahan sa Loay

Is built on an elevated plain, when I got to its grounds there were children playing on its basketball court – but even with this activity the barrio had a very relax and quite environment. Coming from the Clarin house I had to climb stairs of a hundred steps. After catching my breath I went straight inside the church, it was perfect time to pray, I was completely alone, not a soul in sight.

The façade is being cemented on the side using hollow blocks but the original facade could still be seen, according to the book Philippine Churches it was finished in 1822 with semicircular arched main entrance at the first level, rectangular windows on the second level and a low triangular pediment topped by allegorical figures of faith, Hope and Charity.

The pulpit has a tornavoz or portavoz which is a sounding board built on top of the pulpito to amplification purposes – necessity is indeed the mother of all invention. Loay was a Recollect mission, and like Baclayon which became theirs, the church is filled with icons of their devotion. These pulpito’s once useful structures are no longer used, seeing it makes me imagine how mass was once like and I’m glad to see that most are left standing.

The ceiling is painted with murals by Ray Francia in 1927; he must’ve been a very busy man since he had several works of this kind all over the island during his days. There is pipe organ which was installed in 1841, I don’t know if it’s still working but this musical instrument definitely needs some restoration.

The octagonal bell is just a few feet away from the church, unlike other bell towers this one have a domed roof. What was previously a convent is now a beautiful school; the Holy Trinity Academy was founded in the mid 1950’s.

The Church of the Holy Trinity is about 18 kilometers from Tagbilaran.


Loay church

Bas Relief that can be found in the bell tower.


An example of a good restoration job, while the roofing was upgraded, the original building was left untouched, preserving its architectural integrity.

Casa Clarin in Loay

After Baclayon, I decided to visit another place I’ve read about, Casa Clarin in Loay. The Clarin’s were known for their political roles during the American years, I would not be surprised some of them are still politicos.

The house was built in 1840, an NHI marker stands in front of it, and it’s superbly preserved. I took a look inside the house and it was as if the prominent family still lives there, everything was in order. It houses the family’s antique's which are mostly American era objects.

The ancestral house is in very good condition I think, structurally it feels sound, my only worry was that its susceptible to fire, the roof is covered in nipa and the entire house is made of wood. There were indications of anay presence; hopefully they get controlled before they extend their damage.

The garden is now a restaurant, Café Olegario. Bea Zobel was a guest of honor when it opened, it’s a quite area where people can enjoy Loayan delicacies and Boholano style cooking - but I immediately made an exit when I found out how much a meal would cost me (I only have my pamasaje with me) but I’m sure most tourist can enjoy their meals in the cafe, the place and the food is worth it.

I was looking for someone to take my picture outside the house when I found a boy – who never shied away, he was a gamer! I had to teach him how to focus the camera and shoot, it took some time, the people passing by was having a good laugh, because the boy can’t seem to make it work which was really funny, he finally did, children are fast learners and this one is – you be the judge if the boy have future in photo journalism.