Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Location: The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is located at 58 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa, Mimaropa, 5300. 
Opening hours: The cathedral is open to the public from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and there is no entrance fee. The cathedral is also wheelchair-accessible and has a parking area.

Entrance fee: Free

Transportation: The cathedral is easily accessible by public transportation, as it is near the Port of Puerto Princesa and the Puerto Princesa International Airport. It is about 15-minute walk from the SM Mall and about 2-minute walk from the port.

Reason to visit: It is a beautiful blue church and a good starting place to visit before your trip in the Puerto Princesa City. A quite place conducive for worship, praying and seeing local religion. 

Immaculate Conception Cathedral is a famous and beautiful religion landmark blue cathedral in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. There are many churches in the Philippines, but Immaculate Conception Cathedral is beautiful and unique. Its main building is light blue, and the glass inside the church is transparent and very bright, although it is not as luxurious and complicated as other cathedrals, it has another fresh feeling. 

Introduction of the Church

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral that serves as the mother church of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa, which covers the municipalities of Palawan west of Puerto Princesa City. The cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, who is the patroness of Puerto Princesa.

The history of the cathedral dates back to 1872, when the first mass in Puerto Princesa was held at the site of the present cathedral by the Augustinian Recollect Fray Ezequiél Moreno, who is now a saint. Moreno also established the town and its parish mission under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception. The cathedral has been rebuilt several times since its establishment, and the current structure was completed in 1961.

The cathedral is known for its interesting angular structure, which is reminiscent of the Gothic churches built in Medieval Europe. The facade is painted light blue, which contrasts with the white columns and arches. The interior is adorned with stained glass windows, wood carvings, and religious paintings. They create a pretty, colorful and mysterious atmosphere inside the church, as the sunlight shines through these window and casts different hues of light. The cathedral also houses a historical marker of Saint Ezequiél Moreno, which was unveiled in 2014 to commemorate his contribution to the founding of the city.

What to Expect Here and Around

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is a solemn destination where one can meditate and find solace. It is home to Puerto Princesa City’s large Roman Catholic population, and masses are held daily at 5 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The cathedral also hosts various religious events and celebrations throughout the year, such as the feast day of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, which is also the city's foundation day.

The cathedral is also a cultural and historical attraction, as it is located across the historic Plaza Cuartel, where the Palawan massacre took place during World War II. The plaza is now a memorial park that honors the American soldiers who were burned by the Japanese forces in 1944. The plaza also features a bronze statue of Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, and a fountain.

Near the cathedral is the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk Park, which is a leisure area along the coast of Puerto Princesa Bay. The baywalk is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, who enjoy the scenic views of the sea, the islands, and the fishing boats. There are also stalls that sell food, drinks, and souvenirs along the baywalk. The baywalk is especially lively at night, when the lights and music create a festive atmosphere.

The cathedral and the plaza are usually included in the city tour packages around Puerto Princesa, which also cover other destinations such as the Palawan Heritage Center, the Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village, the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (Crocodile Farm), and the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm. These attractions showcase the diverse aspects of Palawan's culture, nature, and history.