I’m always amazed when I see old churches. This one in the town of Calasiao, Pangasinan is no exception- from the solid iron entrance gate I walked upon the cobbled road leading to the church. Built by the Dominicans between the 17th and 19th century, the imposing facade of bricks and cement is eye-catching I was trigger-happy with my camera.
The long convent on the right side and the 5-story brick belfry on the left was enough for me to be silenced. Although I know that God cannot be housed by building made with human hands, I was awe-struck with this magnificent structure. I was unfortunate however to enter the church as it was closed when we went there. I somehow want to see the altar Langyaw mentioned when he visited some interesting churches in Pangasinan.
This house of God known as Iglesia Parochial de San San Pedro-San Pablo (Sts. Peter and Paul), one of the 34 Spanish-era churches that is included in the our National Cultural Treasure directory. National Cultural Treasures are “unique objects found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to the Philippines.”
If you are interested with the list, you can count how many have you been to:
1. Parish Church of San Agustin in Bacong, Negros Oriental
2. Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in Balayan, Batangas
3. Parish Church of Santiago Apostol in Betis Guagua, Pampanga
4. Parish Church of Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon, Cebu
5. Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Calasiao, Pangasinan
6. Parish Church of San Vicente de Ferrer in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya
7. Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in Guiuan, Eastern Samar
8. Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental
9. Parish Church of San Juan Bautista in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental
10. Parish Church of San Isidro Labrador in Lazi, Siquijor
11. Parish Church of San Pedro and San Pablo in Loboc, Bohol
12. Parish Church of Santa Catalina de Alejandria in Luna, La Union
13. Parish Church of San Carlos Borromeo in Mahatao, Batanes
14. Parish Church of San Guillermo de Aquitania in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur
15. Parish Church of San Gregorio Magno in Majayjay, Laguna
16. Parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in Maragondon, Cavite
17. Parish Church of San Andres in Masinloc, Zambales
18. Parish Church of Santa Monica in Panay, Capiz
19. Cathedral of San Jose in Romblon, Romblon
20. Malaueg Church of San Raymundo de Peñafort in Rizal, Cagayan
21. Parish Church of San Joaquin in San Joaquin, Iloilo
22. Parish Church of San Juan Bautista in Tabaco City, Albay
23. Parish Church of San Ildefonso in Tanay, Rizal
24. Basilica of St Michael the Archangel in Tayabas, Quezon
25. Parish Church of Santa Catalina de Alejandria in Tayum, Abra
26. Parish Church of San Matias in Tumauini, Isabela
27. Parish of The Most Holy Rosary, Nuestra Señora Virgen del Santissimo Rosario, Reina de Caracol in Rosario “Salinas”, Cavite
28. Maribojoc Church (Bohol)
29. San Andres Apostol Church Bacarra, Ilocos Norte
30. Camarin de la Virgen, Parish Church of Nuestra Sra. De los Desamparados (Sta. Ana, Manila)
31. Our Lady of the Gate Church (Daraga, Albay) – Eastern & Western Facades, Belfry and Baptistry
32. Loon Church in Bohol (Bohol)
33. Parish Church of Santa Monica in Minalin, Pampanga
34. San Nicolas of Tolentino Parish Church in Dimiao, Bohol
“These churches were given priority status not just due to their historical value, but also based on the geographic representation of various regions across the nation.” -Wiki
Napintas ti Pangasinan! (Beautiful Pangasinan) is a 5-part series that highlights my 3D/2N trip with Mica and Alex to Pangasinan Province. It was short, sweet but memorable. Here’s a rundown of my experiences (click to redirect you to your chosen article):
Awed by the beautiful Calasiao Church;
Burped at the Calasiao puto and delish Dagupan Bangus;
Captivated by the most beautiful Capitol Complex in the country;
Delighted by the friendly service at President’s Hotel; and
Enjoyed the historic Lingayen beach.
Bonus: 5 Places to Visit in Lingayen Pangasinan

James point and shoot lang ba talaga gamit mo sa pagkuha mo ng mga larawan. Galeng…Saludo ako sa iyo. Ang gaganda kaya pag may post ka sa twitter e di ko napapalampas e. Di matatapos ang araw na di ko babasahin blog mo.
yes, P&S hybrid- im using a new camera now Panasonic LX5.
and thanks for this comment, dahil sa mga ganito ginaganahan ako mag-blog. thanks Mye! i’ll buy you a coffee kung magkita tayo.
Cool, nice shots! I finally found out more about this church after we visited 😀
hahaha, i hope its not too late. thanks Alex!
To be honest, na-appreciate ko lang yung churches in Pangasinan when I started bringing my friends there. Akala ko noon pare-pareho lang mga churches lol.
Yay can’t wait to read the rest of your Pangasinan posts! 😛 Merry Christmas James!
thanks for bringing us to calasiao!
yup, i agree you appreciate more the places you visit when you bring others there too.
Happy new year mica
love churches too! there were several times in the past when our itineraries would depend on the churches we can see in that province. great photos, by the way 🙂
really? i learned to appreciate colonial churches when I read langyaw.com’s series on churches.
i think we will get most from the old churches when we read their history.
thanks glads!
If I’m not mistaken there used to be a Poon here that’s said to be miraculous.
yes sir, the divino tesoro thing which they say is becoming bigger and bigger..
but im not into those things miraculous. 🙂
ang ganda nga james!
thanks pre! philippines has lotsa beautiful churches, sana nga lang ma-restore ng maayos
I miss Sts Peter and Paul Parish Church, I miss our town calasiao pangasinan specially puto calasiao. baley na calasiao, alagar mo ak unsempet ak la napasyar taka la kasabik manlapod saudi arabia…
dyak mayatan manong! haha
what’s baley na calasiao?
awesome post to James! I am glad to have been there recently and had the best experience of a lifetime 🙂