Morong: Church, Local History and Art

If you are considering Morong as a destination for a hotel stay, three cultural themes offer a concrete guide: the construction history of Saint Jerome Church, the former administrative function of the building at Morong Town Plaza, and the art of Rafael Pacheco. They offer different perspectives on the town: the church and the municipal building lead into different historical contexts, while Pacheco’s work puts an artistic practice at the center. This lets you choose your focus among architecture, local history and art.

The Construction History of Saint Jerome Church

Saint Jerome Church in Morong was built of stone and mortar by Chinese craftsmen in 1615. A fire destroyed the town and its first church in 1612; the present-day Church of Morong was built shortly afterward. The dates mark different events: the destruction in 1612 and the construction of the church in 1615. For an accurate chronology, it is important to distinguish the earlier place of worship from the present-day church.

Two Chinese lion sculptures stand at the entrance, and Saint Jerome Church also has an octagonal bell tower. Its design differs from Chinese Baroque architecture. The lions are a specific feature of the entrance, while the distinction from Chinese Baroque concerns the design of the church as a whole. This makes it possible to distinguish an individual detail from a general architectural characterization.

Another construction phase involved the façade and bell tower: Bartolome Palatino from Paete built both between 1850 and 1853. The construction history therefore includes more than the building work of 1615; the later work on the façade and tower is also part of it. The bell tower is characterized both by its octagonal shape and by this construction phase. Those interested in architecture can thus distinguish between features of its form and its different historical stages.

Morong Town Plaza and Local History

Morong Town Plaza in Barangay San Pedro is located in front of Morong’s old municipal building. During the Distrito Politica de Morong, also known as the “Commandancia,” this building served as the seat of the Governor of Rizal. Its location in front of the municipal building creates a clear spatial connection, while the building retains its association with its former administrative function. The plaza therefore offers a concrete point of reference for Morong’s political history.

Statues of well-known figures stand in the plaza. These include Tomas Claudio, a hero of World War I. Unlike the administrative history of the old municipal building, the statues focus on individuals. The plaza thus brings together institutional history and the remembrance of well-known figures.

Art by Rafael Pacheco

Another cultural theme is the work of Rafael Pacheco, who lives in Morong. He creates artworks using his fingers and palms. Unlike the church’s construction history and the history of the municipal building, this focuses on an artist’s working method. Working with fingers and palms makes this artistic practice tangible and provides a distinct focus alongside architecture and local history. For travelers who consider art as well as historic buildings when choosing a destination, it offers another point of interest.

Discover more destinations: Angono, Lobo, Calauan, Bacoor, Padre Garcia, San Juan, Tanauan City, Mabini.

For the broader travel overview: Calabarzon.