CHURCHES AND HISTORICAL PLACES

SAN GUILLERMO DE AQUITANIA CHURCH

San Guillermo de Aquitania Church, Rectory, and Belfry (National Historical Landmark)
Poblacion - The foundation of the town started when it became a visita of Carcar in 1690 but later established itself as an independent parish in 1711. However, the construction of a permanent church structure happened only in 1802 and was initiated by Fr. Juan Chacel. The church was finished in 1825. Fr. Juan Alonso built the rectory on a later date and was finished in 1832, based on the inscriptions found on the front door. The octagonal three-story belfry was added between 1850 to 1860. In the early 1800s, the church served as a fortification protection the townspeople during Moro attacks.

The church design is earthquake baroque characterized by buttresses found on the sides of the church. The church front is divided into three levels by cornice stone moldings. Four pilasters with floral relief extend from the base of the facade all the way to the dement on top which separates each level into segments. The lower level of the facade has a semi-circular entrance way and is balanced with decorated niches on both sides. The second level has two-semi-circular windows and a niche in the middle. The pediment has a central niche and a small circular window that serve as lookout. Finials adorn both sides ad on the apex of the pediment.

The interior of the church is richly accentuated by a retablo that is of Rococo design with gilded moldings. The four-sided altars have similar elaborate ornamental designs. The church has a barrel ceiling painted with biblical scenes and personalities. This was done by Canuto Avila, who was commissioned by Fr. Ruperto Sarmiento in July 1935.

The rectory is located on the right side of the church and is connected by a passage through the choir loft. It is a typical Spanish era structure made of stone materials on the lower level and with wooden elements on the upper level.

The plaza was used from the Spanish era until the present as a processional route during fiesta and other church celebrations.

   

Casa Real (Municipio)
Poblacion - Local residents believe that the Municipio must have been built around 1832. This building was the seat of government of the town from the Spanish era until the present.  The original structure was L-shaped with a symmetrical facade and clay tiles roofing while the wall are made of coral stones.  By the passing of time, the roof is replaced with galvanized iron sheets and the canopy is added at the main entrance area.

During the 1898 revolution, the municipyo was attacked and occupied by rebels that burned important

papers pertaining to a local Spanish boat San Juan dela Austria. The rebels were captured and executed. This execution has prompted the locals headed by Fr. Ruperto Sarmiento to group, arm and station themselves at the hillsides so they can attack the Spanish troops. However, the Americans came and the group disbanded.

During World War II, this was the center of the civil government and of the Japanese Constabulary, commonly referred to as JC. There was a prison cell at the back portion of the building to hold guerilla prisoners mostly coming from Alcoy, Boljoon and other areas.

 

 Cristo Rey Monument
Poblacion - This monument was made through the efforts of Fr. Ruperto Sarmiento, parish priest to express his concern for spiritual upliftment among the parishioners.

The structure has a balustered stairway and perimeter enclosure. Finials top each corner of the pedestal where the Cristo Rey is mounted. It stands proud today at the center of the church plaza. This was completed on July 29, 1938.

 

 Poblacion Watchtower (Kiosko)
Poblacion- Originally two levels in height, the Poblacion watchtower, popularly known as the Bantay Moros, was built in 1768 as inscribed on top of one of the windows. It served as the first line of defense for the town during the Moro attacks in the late 1700s and early 1800s. One of the watchtowers found in Dalaguete that comprised the string of watchtowers strategically stationed stretching from Sibonga to Santander, it also served as the early warning line for approaching Moro invaders. In the 1970s the upper level of the watchtower has been transformed and added with a pavilion-like structure. At present, it is a town landmark locally referred to as “kiosko”.

 

Canon
Poblacion- This canon was one of the strongest weapons that the Spaniards used against the bandits, particularly the Moros at the late 1600s.

A tale was told that this canon was the very weapon Snr. San Guillermo held. Invaders were then afraid to attack because of a giant (believed to be San Guillermo) holding a canon and marching at the shores of Dalaguete.

 

 Obong Watchtower
Obong - This square planned bastion built sometime in the late 1700s and early 1800s was one of the three watchtowers found in Dalaguete that comprise the series of watchtowers built by Fr. Julian Bermejo to protect the southern part of Cebu from Moro raids. It served as an early warning station and defense line for the townspeople when Moro invaders approach inland.

 

 Santa Cruz
Poblacion - Constructed by Fr. Ruperto Sarmiento in 1921, the monument commemorates the Redemptorist Missions at that time which was made possible through his invitations.  The structure is composed of a square base plinth with a narrow top crowned with a cross perched on a cornice molding.

 

Osarium
Poblacion - The presence of the remaining osarium on the site suggest that it must have been the location of the first cemetery for Dalaguete during the Spanish era. Relief design on the pediment of the edifice are still visible though some portion have already deteriorated.

BEST OF DALAGUETE

BEST OF DALAGUETE

San Guillermo de Aquitana Church

 

The historic church of Dalaguete, San Guillermo de Aquitana, sits in the heart of the town facing the sea. I’ve read about how bad the raids were during the Spanish era. Villages being looted, villagers being kidnapped, houses and churches being burned down to the ground. But for the most part, this didn’t stopped the missionaries building their churches and convents close to the coast, as if defiantly to say, “We’re in this for the long haul”.
But there were instances when they had to transfer location after recurring attacks, like in Carcar, where they decided to the church to Vallodolid. There’s a reason why these churches attempts to stay where they are. The concentration of the population typically exist near the coast, so the missions had to build near them, where the people are, and these union between church and man became the towns we know today.
The church of San Guillermo de Aquitana is unique for it is actually inside a fortress complex, made of thick adobe walls and solid militaristic sentries. Intended to deter pirate attacks, the major threat for the growing Christian population then. The complex share similarities to that of Argao. It is indeed a very important heritage site for it demonstrates true Filipino Spanish architecture and design (some objects like the crystal chandeliers were said to have been brought by the galleons) and how our Christian faith and traditions began and how it was defended, not by Spain and its missionaries alone but by the Christianized natives.

 

Origin of the Name "Dalaguete"

 THE DALAKIT TREE -  Origin of the Name Dalaguete 

“The natives look upon the tree not for its gigantic size, nor for its fruit which is of no use, but rather for the religious observance of the natives” (Alcina 1668: 473-485). They highly consider this tree for their belief that it harbors spirits or diwatas who could impose sickness if maltreated or hand in fortunes and gifts if placated. When fully grown, the intertwining roots are exposed from the earth and from huge caverns that could house several people.

 

The dalaket (Ficus benjamina linn) tree is the foundation  of the origin and name of Dalaguete. In ancient times, before the coming of the Spaniards, these trees have been used by people as major landmarks. People gathered under its encompassing shades and conduct social and economic activities such us festivities, contest, trading meetings and other community gatherings. They establish market places under the shades of the dalaket where they sell their products and conduct trade with local roving traders bringing in Chinese and Asiatic goods from the port of Cebu.

 

The place where the church or the poblacion were laid have been the site of a communal gathering area for the natives. It was also the abode of
a huge dalakit tree which provide shade and shelter while people conduct their activeities. “Adto ta mag-abot sa dalakit.” “Adto ta magtigom-tigom sa dalakit” [Let us meet at the dalakit]. These and other popular phrases have the common practice of our ancestors when coming up with an agreement to meet or conduct an activity specifically at the site where the dalakit is situated. For several generations in pre-hispanic Dalaguete, the area have always been unofficially called as dalakit. Its accessibility and its reputation as a communal area for community gathering have prompted the leaders Spanish authorities to construct the church and eventually establish the area as part of an encomienda. From this common ground, and from this tree, begun the conception of a larger town which later come to be known as Dalaguete.

 

Language experts know that in Spanish, the letter “G” is often pronounce “K” so that the word dalakit is in fact spelled out by them as dalaguet. There is no “K” in the Spanish language. The nearest other spelling would have been “Dalaquet”, with a “q” instead of a “g” which, when written by hand in those early days, would also have been interchanged. Whatever the case, thus was born christened the town of Dalaguete.