(#4) Passing Through the Graves of San Joaquin Cemetery

By Cento Ron

The previous night, these Restless Soles were anxious to make the most of our Panay trip, and reach as many remarkable places as possible. We agreed to head south of the island and kept ourselves open for pleasant surprises along the way.

Before the streaks of dawn, we were already hitting the road to southwest of Iloilo City on our way to Antique.

 Just as the sun was rising at the horizon, we were standing by the roadside facing the San Joaquin Cemetery, with soft light illuminating the chapel. This was supposed to be a mere short stopover, a kidney-break at that, considering that my two travel buddies had been here the other afternoon. The majestic structure simply beholden us and made us spend more time than expected marveling at its classic grandeur.

The San Joaquin Cemetery Chapel sits a little elevated from the national road, following its terrain through a flight of 20 steps from the ground level by the gate. Its construction which dates back to 1892 is ascribed to Fray Mariano Vamba, the last Augustinian Parish Priest of the town.

Perhaps, the most photographed angle of this majestic cultural treasure is by the roadside capturing and using its lone gate as a frame to the Baroque-inspired architecture.

We took several pictures of the chapel, all from different perspectives. Despite the varied viewpoints, a common sight loomed at our horizon, that is, that this cemetery must have been deliberately built along the national road as a visual reminder to all passersby that no matter where everyone is heading towards, we are all merely passing by. And, eventually, we shall be heading towards a single destination.

What a way to start our day! We tried to take a piece of memory through our photography. Subtly, we were also confronted by our mortality. We knew that stacking meaningful memories shall usher us through in this passing journey.