Dakung Ligganay: The Big Bell of Santa Monica, Capiz

Biggest bell in Southeast Asia, and third in the world. 
Dedicated to the late Very Rev Msgr Benjamin F Advincula, PC, Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Capiz; and parish priest of Santa Monica Parish.

Dr Abe V Rotor 

The big antique bell, measures 7 feet in height, 5 feet in diameter, and 10.4 tons in weight.  It is surrounded by eight smaller bells that are sounded in coded pattern depending on the church occasion.

Author stands beside the replica of the biggest bell in Southeast Asia  and third world's biggest.  The original bell hangs atop the Sta Monica church belfry (lower photo). The faithful respond to its call with respect, to as far as eight kilometers away, like their ancestors did for generations. Roxas City, Capiz

Old Santa Monica church's interior garden

Details: engravings, scar of war, hanger, bell's interior and thickness

"Nothing is far from God."   - Saint Monica Feast Day - August 27th Patron of Wives and Abuse Victims

Sta. Monica church was built in 1774, it is considered one of the oldest churches in the country and can be found in Panay, Capiz. Declared as a National Landmark by the National Historical Institute in 1997, its architecture is majestic Baroque. 

The grand structure of the church is made of coral stone, shaped into Latin cross with one large central altar and four lateral ones. Each lateral altar, stunningly gilded with retablos of hardwood, supports artistically-made polychrome religious statues. 

Atop the five-storey belfry of the church hangs the Dakung Ligganay (big bell), which is believed to be the biggest bell in Southeast Asia, and third in the world. The bell was cast using 70 sacks of coins by Don Juan Reina to honor God and the Virgin of Consolacion in 1878. (Mystical Capiz, by Ma Glaiza Lee)

 For whom the bell tolls but for thee,
   when born to when you shall leave,
   and in between silence takes you free
   into what life is and what you believe,
   yet not being alone in this cruel world, 
   but finding it sane in Heaven's bid. 

Acknowledgment: Very Rev Msgr Benjamin F Advincula, PC
Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy, Archdiocese of Capiz; Santa Monica Parish; and Museo de Santa Monica curator and staff.