The Church of San Diego de Alcala in Silay, Philippines was built in 1925 through the generosity of Don Jose Ledesma, a Knight of St. Gregory the Great, and the Silaynons. The Architectural design of the church was made by an Italian Architect named Lucio Bernasconi, thus the design is Romanesque in style.
Works on repair and renovation was initiated over the years under various parish priests with the major one starting in 2002 and completed in 2005 in time for the church’s 80th anniversary with the theme “At 80, ‘to God be the glory’” (Rom. II, 36).
The renovated Church of San Diego de Alcala, also known as San Diego Pro-Cathedral Church, was blessed by the Most Reverend Vicente M. Navarra, D.D., Bishop of Bacolod on November 13, 2005, in time for the feast of San Diego de Alcala which is 8 days after the celebration of Cinco de Noviembre (Negros Revolution), a revolution which was secretly planned on a nearby street.
San Diego Pro-Cathedral
The San Diego Church is similar in design but not as majestic compared to the churches in Rome. The dome design at the top of the altar is the few of its kind in the Philippines. An almost similar dome structure are the Molo Church and Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo but the façade and structure of the latter is an older architectural design.
Entrance of San Diego de Alcala Church
The San Diego Pro-Cathedral Church in Silay has an amazing structure that makes one appreciates the beauty and grandeur of the church inside and out. The interior of the church is a combination of modern and Romanesque design with pews and pulpit preserved from the past. On the façade, one can see a statue of Jesus Christ staring outside of the glass above the church’s entrance door.
Christ staring outside
Schedule of Masses
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – 6:00 am (Ilonggo) and 5:15 pm (Ilonggo)
Wednesday, Friday – 6:00 am (English) and 5:15 pm (Ilonggo)
Saturday – 6:00 am (Ilonggo) and 5:00 pm (English, Anticipated Mass)
Sunday – 5:00 am, 6:30 am, 8:00 am, 4:00pm, 5:15pm (Ilonggo)
– 9:30 am, 6:30 pm (English)
Church Services
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Everyday – 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
Adoration of the Holy Trinity
Every Saturday after the 6:00 am mass
Novena to San Diego
Every Thursday before the 6:00 am and 5:15 pm mass
Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Every Wednesday at 6:00 am and 5:15 pm mass
First Friday Sacred Heart Novena
First Friday before 6:00 am mass
Penitential Dawn Procession
Every First Saturday at 5:00 am
How to get there and Contact Information
The Church of San Diego de Alcala is located in Rizal St, Silay City 6116, Philippines. It can be contacted at telephone number (+63)(34) 495-0840. From the Bacolod-Silay Airport, take a van-for-hire (P50) or tricycle (P30-P50, found outside the airport’s gate) and tell the driver to drop you off to the nearest area. Rizal St. is the main road and asking for direction from locals is easy. The Pro-Cathedral is 100 meters away from the Silay City Hall and fronting the City Park where one can visit the Civic Center who accommodates local and foreign tourists who have questions regarding tourism about the wonderful city believed to be a smaller version of Vigan.
Pulpit of the Church
The Church's Altar
The Dome from the Inside
Interior of San Diego Pro-Cathedral Church
San Diego Pro-Cathedral Side View
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About the author
Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.
Such a beautiful church. I hope more churches and historic sites get the chance to be preserved, too. So much of our country’s history is embedded in them.