ILOILO STATE COLLEGE OF FISHERIES - SAN ENRIQUE CAMPUS
San Enrique, Iloilo
PASSI CITY SAN GUILLERMO PARISH CHURCH: ITS HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTION
TO THE REMNANT OF ’S GLORIOUS PAST
YUI JED PADURA
DAN MIGIELLE OMEGA
JERICHO GEONANGA
SAINT CLEO MAHILUM
JASFER CAJANDIG
GUIAN ALVERO
Presented to MR. CESAR N. PABILONA JR.
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the subject
GE 2-READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
October 2022
ILOILO STATE COLLEGE OF FISHERIES - SAN ENRIQUE CAMPUS
San Enrique, Iloilo
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The Protector Patron Saint of Passi, Founder of Heritage of St. William
To us Passinhons, February 10 is a much awaited day of the year, for it is the feast day of our
Patron Saint William. Much have been told and written of the belief of how this Saint had
protected and saved the people of Passi in the very early days in times of eminent danger and
crises, but nothing is known of the birth of parentage of this saint, except that he seemed to
have been a Frenchman. He is thought to have been a soldier in his youth and to have led a life
of dissipation. So powerful and self-confident, he was very cruel to his neighbors and did great
damages to them, so that he earned the fame of a monster. St. Bernard gradually guided him to
the better side of life and by the grace of God was converted.
The first definite accounts of his early life was of him as a penitent making a pilgrimage to
Rome. He spent eight years in performing this and other pilgrimages. Upon his return to
Tuscany, Albania, he retired and lived in a remote place, a forest near Pisa doing plenty of
penance. There, many came to ask for prayers so he was privileged to form a congregation.
However, he found his disciples not amenable for reform and strict discipline so he determined
to live in solitude the life he had unsuccessfully propose to others. He entered this solitude in
September 1155 and had no lodging but a cave. During the first four months, he had no
company but that of wild beasts and he ate only the herbs on which they fed. He was joined by
a disciple named Albert who lived with him till his death, which happened thirteen months
later. It was Albert who recorded the last events of his life.
St. William instructed his disciples in the ways of penance and perfection which he taught even
more effectively by his own examples – an example, however so transcended that it was rather
to be admired than imitated. He had the gift of prophecy and miracles. The Passinhons treasure
the belief that at one time when the church caught fire and almost reduced the entire building
to ashes, a strange figure clad in black robe poised himself against the door in the middle of the
leaping flame. When the fire subsided the holy image of San Guillermo remained untouched
including all things around him.
ILOILO STATE COLLEGE OF FISHERIES - SAN ENRIQUE CAMPUS
San Enrique, Iloilo
A short time before his death, a physical called Renaldo came to join, and he and Albert buried
St. William’s body in the garden on February 10, 1157. The two monks continued to live
according to the Saints’ rule and sometime after, when others came to swell their little
community, they built a chapel over the founder’s grave and heritage to serve their own needs.
This was the origin of the Hermits of Saint William who afterwards, spread over Italy, France,
Flanders and Germany.
STATEMENTS OF THE PROBLEMS
This study aims to find out the historical background and contribution of San Guillermo
Church in the Municipality of.
Specifically, it answers the following historical research questions:
1. What is the historical background of San Guillermo Church in the Municipality of?
2. What are the historical contributions of San Guillermo Church in the Municipality of?
3. Where is this San Guillermo Church located?
4. What is the significant importance of these baroque Church ?
Main Points
Passi is considered to be one of the oldest Spanish settlements in Iloilo. It was organized as a
pueblo (community settlement of natives) in 1766 with Don Martin Saligumba as its first
gobernadorcillo. It was settled by three Malay brothers named Dig-on, Tokiab and Umawang
long before the arrival of the Spaniards.
ILOILO STATE COLLEGE OF FISHERIES - SAN ENRIQUE CAMPUS
San Enrique, Iloilo
The Historical contribution of ST. WILLIAM PARISH Church is that the church is considered as a
militaristic church in that it was planned as a ‘fortress church’ and the proof of this can be seen
in the massive buttresses which support the front and back walls of the church. The church was
built to replace churches that had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1612 and subsequent
churches that had been destroyed by fires.
ILOILO STATE COLLEGE OF FISHERIES - SAN ENRIQUE CAMPUS
San Enrique, Iloilo
Founded in 1584, Passi is now a chartered city in the Province of Iloilo. It is
authentic that Passi City had the most colorful people in the island, the Pintados.
However, the history of the church could be traced back in the early 1600’s but
the present church was initiated in 1821-1837. The architectural style is perhaps
undistinguished but it might be referred as Baroque. In our present era Saint
William Parish Church was located in San Juan St., between F. Palmares Sr. St. and
Saligumba St.
The importance of these Baroque Churches is that the Baroque architecture in the
Philippines was designed to protect structures from calamities especially
earthquakes. The architecture is known as “Earthquake Baroque” and Paoay
Church is one of the most notable “earthquake baroque” structures in the
country.
The Baroque architecture was brought to the Philippines by the Spanish and
developed there during the 17th and 18th century. Churches were the focus of
architecture during this period. The distance from Europe and the local
influences gave origin to a unique style, adapted to local conditions.
CONCLUSION
ILOILO STATE COLLEGE OF FISHERIES - SAN ENRIQUE CAMPUS
San Enrique, Iloilo
the SAN GUILLERMO PARISH CHURCH is an important Cultural property of Passi City that
deserves a national recognition and should be listed at the Philippine Registry of Cultural
Property (PRECUP) as National Historical Landmark. It contributed to the lives of every
Passinhon. The Baroque Church in the municipality is a manifestation that once, Passinhons
were united and will united at through times.
Reference/s
TAhir, R (2011) Famous Churches – San Guillermo Parish Church, Baroque Church, Passi City
Iloilo, Philippines, 11/21
Unknown, (2012) Beautiful Churches in Iloilo, Philippines, 06/parish-of-san-guillermo-passi-
city.html
Informants
GILDA AMADOR SUMAGAYSAY
- FORMER NUN OF SAN GUILLERMO CHURCH
