Palo Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in Palo, Philippines.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord's Transfiguration in Palo is a Catholic cathedral featuring a Kimball Pipe Organ installed in 2012 with three keyboards and 1,086 pipes. This organ is a centerpiece of the interior and shapes the acoustic experience during services.
Jesuit missionaries founded the first church of Palo in 1596 and consecrated it on August 15, 1598. The building evolved from this colonial foundation into the cathedral that stands today.
The cathedral hosts the annual Pamalandong, a Passion Play performed every Good Friday, bringing local religious traditions to life through theatrical performances that draw the community together.
The cathedral offers regular worship services, guided tours, parking facilities, and restrooms for visitors. It is best to visit during or outside of service times depending on whether you want to experience the active religious community or explore the space more freely.
During World War II, the cathedral served as a hospital for American casualties between October 1944 and March 1945 during Leyte's liberation. This wartime transformation reveals how the sacred space became essential to the community's survival during a critical moment in history.
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