[2] Miagao was formerly a visita (a locality served by a visiting priest) of Oton until 1580, Tigbauan until 1592, San Joaquín until 1703 and Guimbal until 1731.

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.

[4] Its ochre color is due to the materials used in constructing the church: adobe, egg, coral and limestone.

[4] The façade of the church consists of an ornately decorated bas-relief in the middle of two huge watchtower belfries on each side.

The bas-relief is a mixed influence of medieval Spanish, Chinese, Muslim[4] and local traditions and elements, a unique characteristic of the church façade.

The rest of the façade features the daily life of the people of Miagao during that time including native flora (like papaya, coconut and palm tree) and fauna.

The two huge unequal bell towers [2] directly attached to the main church serve as watchtowers to defend the town against invasion of Moros.

[5] The original late 1790s images of St. Tomas of Villanova can also be found enclosed in a glass case in the rear side of the church.