Antipolo

Inmaculada Concepción Cathedral

In 1626, Gov. Gen. Niño de Tabora brought an image of the Immaculate Conception from Mexico and handed it to the safekeeping of the Jesuits. After the image (which is considered miraculous) had traveled as the patroness of the galleon, it was given the sobriquet Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyages.

Antipolo church is an appropriate starting point for a tour of the Eastern shores of Laguna, because it is customary to seek the intercession of the Virgin for a safe voyage. The present church is of post-war vintage built on the site of an earlier church completed in 1632 by Juan de Salazar, S.J., damaged during the Chinese uprising of 1639, and the earthquakes of 1645, 1824, 1863. Each time, the church was repaired and improved by the Jesuits and then by the Recollects in the 19th century. This church is a pilgrimage site frequented by visitors in the months of May and June.

Heritage Features: Although the 17th-century church was damaged beyond repair during World War II, and consequently demolished, the Virgin’s image was saved by the townspeople who brought it out of the church. The image, made of dark wood, was kept in Quiapo church until a new church in Antipolo was completed in the 1950s. Bas reliefs, salvaged from the Virgin’s altar after the War are now in the San Agustin Museum and in a private collection.

click on thumbnail photo to go to GALLERY