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Photo Essay: Lazi, Siquijor

“Laci” is synonymous to heritage. Inferring from the sheer size of its convent to the remarkable interior architecture of its church, I could tell that this place must have been one hotbed of religious activity. As it turned out, the Lazi convent was the retreat center, in the late 19th century, of Augustinian Recollects who also established parishes in the neighboring provinces of Bohol, Cebu and Negros.

More than the well-preserved structures, however, what struck me was the uncanny feeling that I was present at that particular time period when the church was just being built. A breeze blowing through the airy windows of its convent and a bright, quiet afternoon all made for one precious time travel experience. For this alone, Lazi should never be missed.

San Isidro Labrador Church


The San Isidro Labrador (St. Isidore the Laborer) Church was constructed from coral stones and local hardwood and finished before the turn of the 19th century.

Herringbone pattern of wooden floor is still extant

The wooden floors of San Isidro Labrador Church are remarkably well-preserved (and shiny!). A walk down this aisle would be, well, historic.

Impressive retablo

The Baroque design of the church is reflected in its ornate and gilded “retablo” or shelves “behind the altar” that contain sacred images.

Pulpit from where priests originally preach from

Priests used to give their sermons from pulpits like this. This one was recently restored through the help of the United States Embassy.

The Pieta

Iconography is central to Catholicism. San Isidro Labrador Church has managed to preserve their century-old icons. The “pieta” or the image of Mary holding the dead body of Christ is one icon always present in old Catholic churches.

Still functional confessional

The confessional is where Catholics perform the Sacrament of Penance; where they confess their transgressions to the priest and are, in turn, forgiven. Catholic friars during the time of the Philippine Revolution in the late 19th century were suspected of using this sacred booth as a medium for espionage.

Retablo on side altar and pulpit on the left

The “retablo” on the side awaits restoration, whereas the pulpit on the left has just been given facelift.

Official inscription of the church as a National Cultural Treasure

The plaque on the wall recognizes the church as a National Cultural Treasure. The plaque was inscribed in 2001.

Still functional Lazi Convent after more than 100 years

The convent is still used by the priest as his residential quarters. A small Catholic school operates downstairs.

Side view of Lazi Convent

The Lazi convent is reputed to be the biggest of century-old convents in the Philippines. Up close, it is immense!

The second floor of the Lazi Convent

I travelled back in time as I gazed out of the convent’s windows and into the church on a lazy, quiet afternoon. The Siquijor Heritage Museum, found on the same floor and just opposite this perspective, contains a collection of mostly Catholic artifacts special to Lazi. The museum could use some serious restoration. Picture-taking was not allowed.

The church as viewed from the Lazi Convent

Looking out of a huge window into a sunny, quiet afternoon was an experience unto itself. I seemed to have been transported back to that day when the acacia tree was just a sapling.

Click here for next article (Siquijor series) – San Juan, Siquijor >>

Photos by Cherry Vic Patalita

About Chris

Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.

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