We were racing against the sun across Caramoan’s concrete roadways, cameras and tripods in tow, to catch the brick-laden cathedral we saw at the town earlier for the sunset.

We just came from a day of island hopping and since we were not able to finish off our tour on a blazing sunset, we planned to make do with the town’s church instead.

The church looked old, and I found out that indeed it was.

Founded in 1619 by the Franciscans, its walls are made of bricks punctured by arched doors and windows. The brick walls were also reflected inside.

One thing I found really interesting is its ceiling which were made of unpainted patchwork of plywoods. Imagining an unpainted plywood-clad ceiling may not bring to mind grand things, but once you see the pattern it makes on the church’s curved ceiling, you’d see what I mean.

I also like the atypical cross on the church’s altar, which is not the usual symmetrical ones we see.

Located on the main avenue of the town, St. Michael Church was actually the first thing that snagged my attention as we went speeding by earlier that day.

It was the first thing we visited upon arriving, checking its brick facade and climbing its steep mezzanine. The church was beautiful then in the bright morning light, but it was during twilight when it really shines best.

Masses are held here daily, but as expected they are in Bicol. For those who don’t understand the local vernacular, they do have English masses on Sundays too.

I’m not sure if this church is already declared by the National Historical Institute as a national landmark, as I cannot recall seeing a marker along its walls. If it’s not, I strongly believe that it deserves a landmark status.

 

St. Michael the Archangel Church
Address: Barangay Tawog, Caramoan, Camarines Sur
Email: caramoan_stmichael@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.caceres-naga.org/caramoanparish