Sta Monica Church – Pan-ay

Sta Monica Church – Pan-ay

Panay is located on a plain of very fertile land irrigated by the river of the same name; the climate is rather humid due to the abundant nipa fields and the low sea level. It is bounded by the Sea of Mindoro to the north, Pontevedra to the south and the town of Capiz (Roxas City) to the west. The town is located on the Panay River floodplain and it is said that when the river overflows its banks the flood waters easily reach the main altar in the church.

The original name of the settlement was Bamban and it was changed by the early Spaniards to Panay, a word which means “mouth of the river.” This is also the location of a fortress built by Juan de la Isla in late 1570.

The Augustinians accompanied the first Spanish expeditions to prevent any harm being done to the natives, as ordered by their Prior.  It is Friar Martin de Rada who is said to have been the first to priest to preach the gospel on the banks of the river in Bamban. He was subsequently south to Dumangas in Iloilo to continue his missionary work.


Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the expedition leader, set up his headquarters in Panay in 1569, moving them from Cebu because this was more fertile territory and the region could his forces with plenty of rice and seafood during an emergency added to which the natives were friendly and received the Spaniards well.


Source: http://historicphilippines.com/churches-v-3/st-monica-the-big-bell-panay-capiz/