The 1836 bell of St. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church in Dao is the oldest bell in the area, made for communication and religious purposes. It is made of metal, but over time, it developed cracks, stains, and faded, making it unusable today. Historically, it was rung during funeral rites called “Agoniyas,” with different ringing patterns for men and women, and to call people to Mass or mark the day’s end. Though it no longer works, it remains a treasured artifact symbolizing the church’s long history and cultural identity. The bell is preserved in the bell tower, despite challenges like damage and limited visitor access due to safety concerns.
Photo Credit/s:
Jeffrey Jondonero, May 20, 2024
Mappers:
Neljoy N. Galigao
Tags:
1836 St. Tomas de Villanueva bell, Agoniyas funeral bell, antique bell preservation, bell with ringing patterns, Catholic bell heritage, church artifact conservation, church bell cultural symbol, church bell ringing traditions, church bell tower artifact, , cultural identity bell, Dao Iloilo church history, faded church bell, Filipino church traditions, heritage church bell Philippines, historic Catholic rituals, historic Philippine church bell, limited access heritage bell, oldest church bell Dao, religious communication bell, traditional bell ringing, unusable historic bell
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