Before & After the Quake Struck Bohol

For centuries, Bohol’s heritage churches have withstood the forces of nature such as typhoons, floods and fires.  These architectural gems even survived marauders, pirates and World War II.

It took less than 30 seconds and a 7.2- magnitude earthquake to level them off and reduce them to piles of rubble

More than just being symbols of our unwavering faith and a reflection of our deep religiosity,  these churches are very much a part of our rich cultural heritage and are lasting legacies of Roman Catholicism that has been bequeathed to us by Mother Spain

What took years and decades to establish and to build have been knocked off by a devastating quake that left a tale of destruction and loss of lives

  Among these “National Cultural Treasures” that now lie in ruins are:

BEFORE: Our Lady of Assumption. Dauis, Bohol 

AFTER: Our Lady of Assumption. Dauis, Bohol 
 

BEFORE : Church of Our Lady of Light, Loon, Bohol  

AFTER: Church of Our Lady of Light, Loon, Bohol

BEFORE: Immaculate Conception Church, Baclayon, Bohol 

 AFTER: Immaculate Conception Church, Baclayon, Bohol 

BEFORE: San Pedro Church, Loboc, Bohol

AFTER: San Pedro Church, Loboc, Bohol

Even the world- famous and Bohol's iconic tourism draw, The Chocolate Hills in Carmen have not been spared

The Chocolate Hills Before the Quake

The Chocolate Hills After the Quake

Bohol's  greatest architectural treasures and testaments to its rich cultural heritage as well as the soul of its existence may have been obliterated and eventually be wiped off from the face of the earth but their legacy will forever live in our hearts and linger in our memories

We will rise again, Bohol!

Photo Credits:  Robert Michael Poole, Michelle Francisco, Dennis Saco, Ederic Eder, Wikipedia