By Joseph Aries F. Señara, Anchor, Brigada News FM Cagayan de Oro
If you’re ever in Cagayan de Oro with a free morning and a heart in need of quiet, follow the coastal road east. The city buzz fades. The sea peeks between coconut trees. And in just under an hour, you’ll find yourself standing before a church that seems to whisper, “Slow down. You’ve arrived.”
Welcome to the Immaculate Conception Parish Church in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, more fondly known to locals as Jasaan Church. Built on a hill in Upper Jasaan, this church isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a sacred keeper of stories, a reminder of the past, and a quiet symbol of hope for the future.
Where Time Slows Down
It’s hard not to be moved the moment you see it. The warm reddish bricks. The twin bell towers reaching into the sky. The arched doorways that seem to invite you to step into a different era. The Jasaan Church was built by Jesuit missionaries in the late 1800s, modeled after the famed San Ignacio Church in Intramuros, Manila. But here, in the cool highlands of Mindanao, it feels even more majestic maybe because it’s so unexpected.
Inside, the hush of devotion lingers. Sunlight spills through the windows and touches the intricate wooden ceiling, which looks like a woven banig like the very soul of Mindanao is stitched into its beams. Walk further in and you’ll find the neo-Gothic retablo, aged but alive with detail, standing behind the altar like a grandfather telling a story without words.
Outside, the bells still ring, one of them cast in 1807, another engraved with “Para El Pueblo de Jasaan 1860.” Each chime echoes with the faith of the generations who built, prayed, and lived around this church. It’s no wonder the National Museum declared it a National Cultural Treasure.
Getting There Is Part of the Journey
Reaching Jasaan Church is easy and even a little magical.
From Cagayan de Oro City, just head to Agora Terminal and hop on a van or jeepney bound for Jasaan or Gingoog. The fare? Just around ₱40 to ₱50. The views along the way rolling hills, sea breeze, humble towns come free. After about 45 minutes, ask to be dropped off at Jasaan proper, then take a short tricycle or habal-habal ride (₱10–₱20) up to the church in Upper Jasaan.
It’s not a tourist trap. There are no flashy signs or crowds. And that’s what makes it so special. It’s still raw, real, and sacred.
The Church That Gives Back
But this church isn’t just a monument. It’s a lifeline.
Meet Aling Maria, a soft-spoken mother who sells handmade rosaries near the church gate. “Before, I just stayed at home,” she says. “Now, every time someone visits and buys one of my rosaries, I feel like I’ve done something good for them and for my family.” Her small earnings help pay for her son’s school fees.
There’s also Mark Anthony, who used to work construction jobs on and off. Now, he’s a local tour guide, proudly telling the church’s history in three languages Cebuano, English, and a little Spanish. “It’s funny,” he laughs, “I never thought I’d make a living talking about something I used to pass by every day.”
Their stories are not just heartwarming, they’re proof that tourism creates real, sustainable jobs. When visitors come, they don’t just take photos. They support a local livelihood, send children to school, and help preserve a piece of culture for the next generation.
More Than a Visit: A Wake-Up Call
In a world rushing forward, the Jasaan Church stands still not out of stubbornness, but out of wisdom. It teaches us that progress doesn’t have to mean forgetting where we came from. That heritage can be preserved and still be part of the future.
But that future needs help. The church needs support from local leaders and national policymakers, not just to maintain its structure, but to protect the life it nurtures around it. Supporting tourism here means supporting education, environment, history and dignity.
Come for the View, Stay for the Peace
You won’t find big hotels here. No souvenir shops on every corner. What you will find is peace, beauty, and a deeper connection to something timeless.
You’ll feel it when you hear the bells. When you see a grandmother light a candle in silence. When a child runs across the old brick floor, laughing as if God’s house is their playground.
Whether you’re a history buff, a pilgrim, or just someone who needs a breath of quiet, Jasaan Church offers something rare: a space to remember what matters most.
So when the world feels too loud and life too fast, take that trip. Ride that van. Sit beside a stranger in a jeepney. And find yourself in Jasaan, where time slows down, and the soul catches up.
Because sometimes, the most unforgettable journeys begin with a simple prayer in a church on a hill.
