Puerto Princesa City Tour Part 2: Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Day 3: City Tour Part 2 

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Since we were not able to finish our City Tour on our first day, we decided to visit the remaining stops ourselves after our Honda Bay Island Hopping tour. Being near Aniceto's Pension House, we started off by walking towards the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. 

Immaculate Conception Cathedral's blue facade

What made this religious edifice unique and standout from the rest of the churches we comonly see is it was mainly made of cement with Gothic architecture. It kind of reminds of the San Sebastian Church in Manila, which is an all-steel church (in contrast with cement).

Interior design dominated by pointed arches with accents hanging from the ceiling

Built in 1961 under the supervision of the late Bishop Gregorio Espiga, the present-day cathedral stands at the same location where the first mass was held in Puerto Princesa around 1872. Back then, it was just a small church. Since then, it has grown and presently is an apostolic vicariate in the Catholic Church hierarchy, functioning as a diocese and is headed by Bishop Pedro Arigo.

Angel statues holding holy water fonts stand guard at both sides of the entrance

Undoubtedly, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral is the center of Palawan's religious heritage. The locals celebrate the feast of their patroness, Immaculate Conception of Mary, from November 28 to December 8, coinciding with the founding anniversary of Puerto Princesa City.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Barangay Liwanag, Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City

How to get there:

-Ride a trike (Php8)
-Walk from your accommodation if it's just nearby

Next stop is the Plaza Cuartel, which is just right across the cathedral.