Miagao was formerly a '' visita '' ( a locality served by a visiting priest ) of Oton until 1580 , Tigbauan until 1592 , San Joaquin until 1703 and Guimbal until 1731 . It became an independent parish of the Augustinians in 1731 under the advocacy of Saint Thomas of Villanova . With the establishment of the parish , a church and convent was built on land near the sea called '' Ubos '' . Father Fernando Camporredondo served as the town 's first parish priest in 1734 . When the town experienced frequent Moro invasion in 1741 and 1754 , the town moved to a more secure place . From there , a new church was constructed in 1787 through forced labor under the supervision of Fray Francisco Gonzales , parish priest and Spanish gobernadorcillo Domingo Libo-on . It was built on the highest point of the town to guard from invaders called '' Tacas '' . After ten years , the church was completed in 1797 . It was designed with thick walls to serve as protection from invaders . It was severely damaged during the Spanish revolution in 1898 but was later rebuilt , fire in 1910 , the second World War and earthquake in 1948 . The present day Miagao church is the third church built since its establishment in 1731 . To preserve the church , it underwent restoration in 1960 . This was completed in 1962 . It has been declared a national shrine through Presidential Decree No. 260
earthquake in 1948
1948 Lady Caycay earthquake
Miagao Church