I-Travel
The First Church in Panay
Inside the oldest church of Panay.Do you know when and where the first church of Panay was built? As an Ilonggo, and probably a Christian, you must be interested.
The first church built in Philippine soil is located in the town of Dumangas. This town was not Dumangas when the Agustinian Fathers established the first Agustinian church in Panay Island, in 1566.
Dumangas is located in the southeastern part of Panay. In the pre Spanish era, it was settled in, by a group of Malays, a group from the Shri Visayan empire. They called it Araut, named after their old settlement which they had left behind.
In 1565, the Spaniards landed in Panay in search for food. Once they got into Araut, the Spaniards were so happy because they found friendly natives and plenty of food to bring back to Cebu which at that time, was running out from its supply.
The year 1566 marked the return of the Spaniards to Araut from Cebu. Capitan Carlos de Hoaya led the Spanish group from Cebu, settled again in Araut, this time with an Agustinian priest Father Juan de Alva. They introduced changes to this town. In 1569, Father de Alva, established the first church in Panay, in Araut! It was and is still in located on top of a hill. This was the first church built in Araut, later called Dumangas, for the island of Panay.
At present,the church is still there on top of a hill, outside the town of Dumangas. Only the stone floor, part of the old walls, the table in front of the alter exist, as well as part of the altar. It is still interesting to visit this nice hilly area to witness the history of the church, recall the history of the Agustinian Fathers, who settled with the Spaniards from Cebu and later the whole island of Panay, built 72 Agustinian churches, in the whole Panay Island.
