Built within the Villar SIPAG compound in Barangay Pulang Lupa Uno, the sanctuary is more than a place of worship. It is a living tribute to San Ezekiel Moreno, a missionary whose life quietly transformed communities, including Las Piñas, long before modern development reshaped the landscape.
SAN Ezekiel Moreno in stained glass.
PHOTOGRAPHS by patricia ramirez/cynthia villar for DAILY TRIBUNE
A MODERN Spanish Baroque design defines Santuario de San Ezekiel Moreno.
PHOTOGRAPHS by patricia ramirez/cynthia villar for DAILY TRIBUNE
THE altar.
PHOTOGRAPHS by patricia ramirez/cynthia villar for DAILY TRIBUNE
AN aerial view of the church in Las Piñas.
PHOTOGRAPHS by patricia ramirez/cynthia villar for DAILY TRIBUNE
AN image of San Ezekiel Moreno at the Bamboo Organ museum.
PHOTOGRAPHS by patricia ramirez/cynthia villar for DAILY TRIBUNE
In moments when the world feels uncertain, when noise and worry seem louder than hope, many still return to a quiet, enduring refuge. Prayer remains a steady anchor. It does not always change circumstances overnight but it shapes the heart to endure, to trust, and to keep moving forward. Throughout the generations, sacred spaces have stood as reminders of this truth, places where faith is not only professed but lived.
For Santuario de San Ezekiel Moreno, that sense of stillness meets a deeper story of devotion and purpose. Built within the Villar SIPAG compound in Barangay Pulang Lupa Uno, the sanctuary is more than a place of worship. It is a living tribute to San Ezekiel Moreno, a missionary whose life quietly transformed communities, including Las Piñas, long before modern development reshaped the landscape.
The church itself reflects this harmony of past and present. Designed in a modern Spanish Baroque style, its column-free interior opens the entire space toward the altar, allowing worshippers an uninterrupted view that mirrors the clarity many seek in prayer. Light filters through stained glass windows and a grand dome, illuminating intricate details of wood, marble, and gold-toned finishes. Outside, landscaped gardens soften the structure, offering pockets of calm that echo the saint’s connection to nature and the land.
That connection runs deeper than symbolism. During his time in Las Piñas from 1876 to 1879, San Ezekiel Moreno was known not only for his pastoral care but also for his practical contributions to the community. He introduced irrigation systems and helped establish dams that supported farmers in the area. These early efforts, once vital to the town’s survival, continue to resonate today, particularly around the Prinza Dam that links Las Piñas and Cavite.
In an exclusive conversation, former Senator Cynthia Villar, managing director of the Villar Foundation, shared that the creation of the Villar SIPAG Farm School was inspired by these very efforts. For her, it was a continuation of the saint’s work, rooted in the same belief that empowering communities begins with nurturing both land and people.
This vision extends to the Villar group, through their property development arm, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., the Villar family has created spaces where faith and daily life intersect. The Santuario stands as part of a broader effort to integrate places of worship within communities, ensuring that spiritual grounding remains accessible even as cities expand.
Within its walls, devotion continues in quiet, personal ways. The Adoration Chapel offers a more intimate space for prayer. A small museum tells the story of a life dedicated to service, bridging history with the present generation.
For the current times, when chaos and despair seem to run our lives, these kinds of spaces remind people of something steady. Prayer becomes not just a plea for relief but a practice of resilience. And in honoring the legacy of San Ezekiel Moreno, the Santuario reminds us that in faith, when nurtured and shared, can shape both land and life for years to come.
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