Bantayan Church, a photo from Cebu, Central Visayas

Photographer's Note

This photo was taken inside Bantayan Island's main Catholic church, which was built by an Ilonggo priest named Padre Doroteo Andrada. Construction started in 1839 and completed in 1893. It is considered to be one of the oldest church in the country with walls made of coral stones which are considered to be one of the thickest wall among all stone churches in Cebu. Centuries old life size statue of saints and ancient Spanish time carvings adorn the altar. It also has a tall belfry with resonant bells that can be heard miles away. During ancient times, this was the town's alarm system to warn the populace about the incoming attack from Moro invaders.

One of the two features of the church I find most interesting are its big glass stained windows ... each of the 12 side windows depicting one stage of Christ’s crucifixion. The other is its massive weathered entrance doors made of untreated hard wood ... quite amazing how it has survived the ravages of time. I have posted in the workshop these two features for viewing.

During Easter, thousands of overseas and Filipino tourists travel to the island to enjoy the sun drenched white beaches and witness the Holy Week rites. Most anticipated is the procession of life-size antique religious images mounted on huge, elaborately-decorated carrozas. The priceless images were hand-sculpted by artisans in Spain in the 1800s, then entrusted to prominent families for safekeeping.

Also, while the rest of the Filipino Catholics around the country are obligated to abstain from eating meat during Holy Week, the local folk in Bantayan Island have special exemption from the Pope. As a result of a Papal Indult issued decades ago, Bantayanons were sanctioned by the Church to consume meat, so they can cease fishing in order to take part in religious rites. This loop hole seems to contribute to the general festive mood of the whole island, as compared to the somber and solemn celebrations in other parts of the country. In my experience, the atmosphere is like that of one big 'fiesta'. Beer consumption of this small island during Holy Week tops that of any province in Cebu. Interestingly, our top selling beer is named after a Saint, San Miguel … quite appropriate to drink during the lenten season :)

tigra, robertosalguero, pablominto, lestans, besnard, snunney, Budapestman, Zelanda, dip, josepmarin, axiotea, atus, siolaw, danos, bakes888, gunbud, pierrefonds, Angshu, mumek, Ocean2Ocean, jaywalker heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

tigra (2968) 2007-07-12 22:09

Hello Renier
Never been to sich churches before. Looks very untypical.
There's too much light - are there windows on the right side?
Excellent perspective, good POV!
Katia

Bruno40 (6662) 2007-07-12 22:29

Renier
Excellent DOF and exposure. Wondering why not choosing a more symmetric POV?
cheers
Jorge

noborders (1010) 2007-07-12 22:44

The photo needs to be open to appreciate its beauty, the details of the architecture are interesting and the colours very subtle, I also like the composition with the rhytm of the benches and the ceramics on the pavement !
Well done, bravo,
Cath.

lestans (17258) 2007-07-12 23:25

Hi Renier!
a strange different church! I like to see it and to read your note.
Picture very clear, rich of sharp details

Livia

besnard (59196) 2007-07-13 0:03

Bonjour Renier
Belle composition très nette et bien équilibrée. le regard suit l'allée centrale au beau dallage jusqu'à l'autel.
C'est du bon travail - merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

robertosalguero (292) 2007-07-13 0:28

Nice and elegant simple church. The dark pews contrast nicely with the white walls and the pattern of the floor. Good light for an interior picture with good colours and details. You also centered the image very well. Lovely little church Renier :-)

Roberto

pablominto (53746) 2007-07-13 0:38

Hello Renier,
Your point of view is so close to the centre line it is almolst annoying!
The interior is very well depicted, with fine details and attractive colours...
And I have no problems in supporting the quality of San Miguel, but I wasn't aware you get an almost religious feeling when drinking it..!
Greetings,
Pablo -

:-) OK-

Clementi (52514) 2007-07-13 1:09

Ciao Renier,
bella chiesa , la foto è ottimamente composta con la giusta luce e bei colori .
bel lavoro
Giorgio

snunney (130967) 2007-07-13 1:31

Hello Renier,
What depth to this lovely composition. Excellent clarity. You have made the best of the difficult lighting conditions that such places often exhibit; just some slight over-exposure on the right where the light is streaming through the windows. A very beautiful church.

Cretense (68709) 2007-07-13 4:17

Hi Renier!

Excellent architecture interior. The composition, although it's not "balanced" is great, and apart some burnt spots the light managment is great. Congratulations!

Hercules

jasmis (58653) 2007-07-13 5:07

Interesting interior of the church. Fine perspective. Detailed note, too.
Regards.

Budapestman (82620) 2007-07-13 6:01

Hi Renier,
Excellent architecture shot, I like the many beautiful details and the spectacular perspective, POV is very impressive, superb sharpnes and clarity. Splendid realization, Congratulations. Have a nice weekend
George

evanrizo (462) 2007-07-13 6:18

Hi Renier, it looks really majestic and very nice, the photo has a great depth and nice sharpness, except some details are overexposed.
Cheers
Evan

agbonavita (0) 2007-07-13 9:15

Pretty church. I like the light inside it. The stained glass window is very pretty too. But why here you didn't center the main pathway? I made a ws trying to correct this. hope you like it.

Regards
andre

[workshop] [compare]

jplebrun (21208) 2007-07-13 14:30

Bonjour Renier, belle église que tu présentes, les constructeurs ont donnés tous leurs savoir pour la gloire de leur foi, belle composition, ;)
Amicalement
Jean-Pierre

Zelanda (5692) 2007-07-13 15:06

Hola Renier,
Una iglesia un poco diferente a las que yo conozco.
Buena profundidad, color y detalles.
Buen trabajo.
Saludos cordiales
Ros

kevinos (7517) 2007-07-13 21:32

This is a ncie presentation of an interesting piece of architecture, Renier. You have a good, soft light, that has given you an even exposure across the frame. The church certainly shows the influence of the Spanish Baroque style.I can almost smell the incense. It reminds me of my Catholic youth. maybe you should have entered under the architecture catogory too. People might enjoy to see it there. regards kevin

Nicou (193806) 2007-07-14 1:20

Hello,

Très belle recherche de cadrage, maîtrise des couleurs parfaite et pfondeur, une toute belle compo.
Le parterre avec ces rosaces bordeaux va à merveilles avec les banc et l'ensemble. superbe.

Bravo et belle journée

Nicou

dip (21408) 2007-07-14 2:40

Hi Renier,
nice image,good perspective and sharpness with amazing colors.
well done!
Dimitris.

Gustaw (21670) 2007-07-14 3:26

Hi, my friend!
It is interesting old churche architecture. I very like old churche. Good quality and good colours. Nice light. Well done.
Marek

lolo73 (969) 2007-07-14 4:50

Hi Renier,
A very impressive perspective with a soft and nive light to see clearly details of this interior architecture. Nice job.
Laurent

josepmarin (59385) 2007-07-14 4:55

Hi Renier,
Your setting offers us a great perspective and sensation of depth in this capture of the interior of the church.
You have obtained a good control of the difficult light, and though it is a bit of overexposure in some window, the general result of the set is very good and agreeable.
Beautiful work.
Best regards,Josep

Silvio1953 (221751) 2007-07-14 5:48

Hi Renier, beautiful prospectic view of the interior of a splendid churc with wonderful light and colors, very well done, have a nice week end, ciao Silvio

efi (5303) 2007-07-14 6:33

hi renier;

the depth,light,sharpness are all perfect and the photo is very impressive.tfs.

axiotea (21651) 2007-07-14 6:50

Hi Renier
Nice symmetry, with the tiled floor providing a lovely pattern, leading the eyes to the richly decorated altar. Many sharp details to look at in this interesting picture.
Cheers
Marilyn

photographer123 (6248) 2007-07-14 9:44

hi..
very good composition..the middle path creat a great depth...exposure is very good...subir

siolaw (38294) 2007-07-15 0:31

Hi Renier,
The off centered POV works too, the sharpness and color tones are excellent, eye catching and perspective inducing floor tiles... people are very religious in Philippines... why is it empty!
Laurent

atus (15878) 2007-07-15 0:36

Hello Renier,
very well captured interesting shot, with very good light management. Thanks to the vertical format, the sense of depth is very good. It is very well exposed, with perfect sharpness and nice colors. Well done!
Tfs and have a pleasant Sunday!
Attila

danos (110407) 2007-07-15 3:59

Hello Renier,
impressive the interior of this Catholic church with the great perspective and the POV.The sanctuary in the background is outstanding and the light is perfect. I don't think you could better the quality or the sharpness, they are just outstanding.Very informative and your note too.Well done my friend.

Have a nice day,Danos

jackart (6702) 2007-07-15 13:05

Hi Renier!

Nice photo. Very good perspective and amazing sharpness. Photo is rich like a captured church full of wonderful details.

well done!

Regards,
Jacek

dorte_s_t (2287) 2007-07-21 6:15

Hi , Renier .
Beautiful church , and interesting stained glass windows . Impressing door too !
I like the simple decoration of the benches and the ornamentation of the altar . Would be interesting to take a closer look at the walls . Are the recesses decorated ?
Excellent note !
Greetings - and have a nice weekend
Dorte.

bakes888 (18499) 2007-07-23 1:13

Hi Renier. Wonderful photo. You have chosen your format well to include the curved roof and patterned floor, both of which add to the perspective and depth. Excellent detail also. Nice work and thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

gunbud (34066) 2007-07-23 20:49

Hi Renier,
A wonderfully unique old church with its brilliant stone wall. Your image shows very clear colors and excellent details to the intricate church decorations. You have achieved nice depth to this fine image. I love your note particularly about the Lenten beer
Regards, Tom

pierrefonds (114556) 2007-07-25 4:11

Hi Renier,

A nice image of the interior of the church, the photo has a good composition, DOF and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

Angshu (56760) 2007-07-31 20:52

Hello Renier
Beautiful interior shot. Like the symmetry created by the benches, with the aisle as an excellent lead-in. The light outside appears to be very harsh as evidenced from the right window..could have cropped them out, but then you would miss out on the lovely chandelier on the right.
Regards
Angshu

mumek (20226) 2007-08-10 3:12

Hi Renier!
Beautiful capture of the church's interior. Original, different kind of architecture, good light and very informative note. Thanks for sharing
regards
ziggy

jaywalker (16105) 2007-09-09 2:10

Hi Renier, A lovely inside photo, the light is excellent, great depth & a very beautiful interior, well balanced, very good colours & you have portrayed this church superbly, kind regards Wilson.