San Guillermo de Aquitania, in Dalaguete, Cebu

 Marker states:

Simbahan ng San Guillermo de Aquitania

"Itinatag bilang Visita ng Carcar, 1690. Naging parokya, 1711. Sinimulan ang kasalukuyang simbahan, 1802. Natapos, 1925. Ang kumbento, 1932; at ang kampanaryo, 1860. Itinalaga sa pagtankilik ni San Guillermo de Aquitania. Ang simbahan at bantayan sa harapan ay ginamit bilang tanggulan laban sa pananalakay ng mga pirata noong unang bahagi ng ika-19 daantaon. Kinumpuni ang mga nabe, 1868. Gawa ni Canuto Avila ang mga larawan sa kisame ng simbahan, 1935. Mahalagang halimbawa ng arkitekturang Filipino-Espanyol at isa sa mga natitira at katangitanging Church-Fortress Complex sa bansa, inihayag bilang pambansang palatandaang makasaysayan, 16 Abril 2004."

Like many Churches in Southern Cebu, the Church of Dalaguete is made of limestone. In front of the Church, there is a statue of Christ the King. The message was clear, they always wanted Jesus to reign in their lives. The bell fry is almost adjacent to the Church and the convent is quite big. Fronting the Church there is always enough space for people to gather in or even to celebrate.

This church-fortress is so thick it can surely keep people inside the walls safe. I can imagine how the priests were not only spiritual leaders, they were also defenders of the people under their care. When pirates attacked, the priests helped the people to find safety. In the case of Fr. Ruperto Sarmiento known as Padre Pentong, a secular priest who served Dalaguete for 12 years, he formed a group of 500 men and trained them for defense. He found ways and means of  protecting his people from their enemies as well as from fires that would ensue from those attacks. There was a heritage well found in the area that was used to supply water for the various needs of the people. He distributed corn, rice and other foodstuff during famine and taught them many things that can help improve their lives. He built the Escuela Catolica in Dalaguete to give better opportunities to his parishioners. Fr. Pentong led the people in building roads to Paling-Paling. Truly, Fr. Pentong took seriously the words of St. Paul, "Become all things for all men.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church in Argao, Cebu

Marker in marble reads:

The construction of this beautiful Baroque Rococo Church was begun in 1734 - a year after the parish was established by the Augustinian Order and was completed in 1788.

On the Bicentenary of her completion specifically from September 29 1987 until September 29, 1988 the feastday of St. Michael the Archangel, Patron Saint of Argao, the Argawanons, thru the Argao Parish Bicentenary Commission headed by Hilario C. Davide, Jr., restored her and her premises to their original beauty and grandeur - in gratitude to their forebears who built her. In thanksgiving to God for the countless blessings he showered and continues to shower upon them. As an expression of the constancy of their love for Our Lady and their devotion to their Patron Saint and Protector, and as their spiritual gift to the generations yet to come.

The feastday was fittingly climaxed by a pontifical Mass with His Eminence Ricardo D. Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu as  the Main Celebrant.

Installed this 29th day of September in the year of Our Lord One thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight.

St. Michael the Archangel Church in Argao is beautiful. It is something that the Argawanons can be really proud of. I appreciate their love for the Church. I'm sure the restoration of their Parish Church cost them a lot but their generosity is indeed remarkable. The result is a fitting legacy and living testimony of your fervor.

A story of how they happened to make "torta", a local delicacy made of flour, eggs and sugar have been faithfully circulated. They said they've been using the egg whites for the construction of the church walls, putting stone upon stone using egg whites as adhesive. And what with the eggyolks? They started using them to make torta. It's a folk story, so we can no longer trace the original author. Thanks to people who have been retelling this story, 

Historic Sites: Church and Museum in Carcar, Cebu

Facade of St. Catherine of Alexandria

Life-sized statues of the apostles around St. Catherine's

Carcaranons must be very industrious persons. To think of making ampao, a delicacy made of sweetened puffed rice sometimes drizzled with peanuts. They also make chicharon, banana and camote chips. Their shoe making industry have flourished and supplied neighboring islands with spadrilles, sandals and other footwear. 

They're friendly, hospitable, courteous and honest people. I have observed that with those who attended us at the mall, at the restaurant, the tricycle driver who brought us around, as well as the Innkeeper at the Pension House where we spent the night.  Going around the city made me feel at home right away. It was a simple and peaceful place.

The Church of Carcar was dedicated to their Patron Saint, St. Catherine of Alexandria, a fourth century martyr of the faith. She was martyred for her philosophical  defense of the Christian Faith. Now she is considered as the patron saint of science, students, and teachers.The Church Architectural design is one of a kind. It's not common to find Eastern Orthodox style of architecture in the Philippines. Seeing the Church of Carcar will make you feel like you are in the land of Alladin and Disney Princess, Jasmin. 

Carcar Museum

The Carcar Museum was originally a Dispensary where the cholera victims were treated during the outbreak. It's an American Era Wooden building with two floors. How I love the woodwork intricately designed like the dainty white lace or crocheted white bedspread.

When we first had the ocular visit, it was clean up day at the museum and we were not allowed to go to the second floor. I was so intrigued by what the museum curator told me. She said, the table where the Leon Kilat plot was hatched was displayed upstairs. At that time, I barely knew Leon Kilat. I googled everything I could to know about him, especially because he was from Negros Island.

I was transported through the "google wayback" to the time of Pantaleon Villegas and the people behind the plot. I saw what an able fighter he was. He was precisely called Leon for his bravery and Kilat for his lightning skills. He learned magic from Cebu because he used to perform in the circus there. He was legendary for his speed and fighting skills. I do not want to mention now the names of those responsible. I became emotional: moved to tears, angered and felt patriotic. Later, my heart found a way to understand the plight of those Filipinos who plotted against Leon's life. Imagine, he was a highly able General of the Katipunan, who won against the Spanish troops in Cebu. As the Spaniards regrouped themselves and called for reinforcement from Manila, Leon Kilat went to Carcar to meet with his friends in order to plan further for Philippine Independence. He was welcomed by his Carcaranon friends with a banquet. He ate and drank that night of Holy Thursday, just like Jesus. That very night, they killed him with their own hands, afraid of Spanish retaliation. So, at dawn of Good Friday, they hanged him at the center of town so people would see that he was dead. They wanted to prove to the Spaniards that they were not supportive of whatever Leon was fighting for. Now, the Carcaranons have placed Leon Kilat's Monument astride his horse to redeem themselves.

In Carcar, Judas' statue was placed away from the church. It was standing alone near the convento. My reflection was, any one of us can be a Judas if we are not careful. Oh, the complications of the human heart. May St. Catherine of Alexandria help us pray to God for purity and faithfulness to God.

In case you do not know, the second Bishop of  Bacolod, Monsigneur Manuel Yap was a son of Carcar. They have also the Servant of God, Monsigneur Camomot who has founded so many Diocesan Congregations of Sisters to aid the Church. Our very own Blessed Virgin Missionaries of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or BVMC and Sisters of the Rural Mission were founded by him. Thank you, Carcar.

Boljoon Church Complex

Boljoon Church Complex

Visiting an Ecclesiastical Heritage Site like the Boljoon Church Complex was very enriching. It was good to know that several hundreds of years ago, this place near the sea was occupied by settlers most probably from Borneo. Gold necklaces, bracelets, a lone ear piece such as one worn by a chieftain like Humabon and Lapu-lapu were found there. Human remains were found in the area. A young tour guide assigned by the museum curator explained to us how the human skeletons were found. He said it was not exactly a graveyard as we understand it today. It was believed that people of long ago buried their dead under their homes, He said, if they were buried elsewhere, their spirits will not be at rest according to their common belief.  There must have been a village in that area before the Spaniards came. He explained further that women were buried  with pots or Chinese porcelain because women were related to the preparation of food. Men, on the other hand were buried with hands and arms crossed over their chest with  farming tools over the head.

With the coming of the Spanish Missionaries, a big Church was built and the people seemed to welcome the Christian faith. The vast Church Complex included the Church of Patrocinio de Maria which means Patronage of Mary. It has a seating capacity of more or less 500 persons. In my calculations, there were about 25 pews on the left and another 25 pews on the right which can sit about 10 regular person per pew.The Convento was huge. The walls were super thick and were constructed from the limestone which must have been cut from the mountain near the area.The Museum was located at the ground-floor of the Convento and the Guide explained that during Moro Raids, the Parish Priest passed through an escape passage which he showed us. There was a big open area in front of the church and at the left side 

El Gran Baluarte was located much further near the sea. According to the marker I read near the building it was the largest extant Spanish watchtower in the Philippines built by Fr. Julian Bermejo, OSA in 1808. According to the marker, it was the main fortress in the vast church complex's fortification. The marker pointed out that during the height of the Moro Raids, the structure served as Fr. Bermejo's command center in his elaborate defense of the Visayan seas. (This portion was not part of our museum tour. After dispersal from our museum tour, I saw this building from afar and I run to take a picture. Then, I discovered the marker where I got the info I wrote above.) The marker even added that the basement was used as a prison and that there was a mural painting made by the prisoners themselves at the same basement of the watchtower.

I found the Escuela Catolico. It was an old wooden building with two big staircases. It was built in 1909 so it was a later addition. I would have gone inside if not for the limited time. I could imagine St. Pedro Calungsod with his companion catechists being instructed there before being sent to the Marianas. If I was not aware that he was martyred in Guam many centuries back, I would have believed my imagination. Who would know for certain what took place in these sacred grounds of history or herstory? If only the walls can tell what really happened then. Now, imagination is the only limit. Why don't the Historical Commission reconstruct this Spanish Village? The residents can dress up like they were in the Spanish Era like the way they preserved Fort Santiago. Perhaps more tourists and pilgrims will be interested to come and film makers will make historical movies shoot here.

The original records found in the museum are in bad state because of the humidity. There are no air conditioning units to cool the place and preserve the museum pieces. The steel trusses they placed on the ceiling must be removed to restore the beauty and grandeur of the painted ceiling. The paintings that were stolen from the old pulpit must be replaced to restore the aesthetics. More pilgrims should come to visit Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon, Cebu.

Church of Malate

The Church of Malate was marked by the Historical Research and Markers Committee as a historical site since 1937. It has passed through the administration of the Augustinians, the Secular Clergy, the Redemptorists and the Columbans according to the Marker. Whoever administers the Church, matters little. What matters most is that, this is a Church that has served the spiritual needs of the Filipinos since 1588. It might have been greatly damaged by the earthquake of June 3, 1883 but the good news is, it was restored again by the people of God. Earthquakes, calamities, wars destroy, but faith rebuilds. 

We are living stones..." built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure , being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:20-22) 

If you pass by Roxas Boulevard from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, it is found right side of the road. It may not be as tall as the skyscrapers that has mushroomed in the area but you will not miss this old structure. It has a small plaza in front. Malate is a busy place. Old and new, good and bad, rich and poor coexist. It has witnessed the lives of Filipinos for almost 500 years. Christians, yes, but struggling Christians who go to Church every Sunday; some even go to Church everyday but remain far from living the life of Christ we are following.

Let us pray for each other that our faith may grow, remain strong, and above all be a living reality of our daily lives. Let us pray that the structures of sin and corruption may crumble to pieces and allow only the good, the true and the beautiful to remain. As we prepare for the fifth centenary of Evangelization in the Philippines, may our Christianity become more solid and faithful to Jesus' teachings. May this Year of the Poor bring us closer to the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 

Church of San Vincente de Paul, San Marcelino St., Manila

St. Vincent de Paul is a Parish Church. It is found within the Adamson University Compound in San Marcelino St., Manila. Beside the Church is the Convent of the Congregation of the Mission, a congregation of  Religious Men running both the Parish and Adamson University. At the ground-floor you will find the Marian Center.

St. Vincent is also called the apostle of the poor. He was a friend of both the rich and the poor. He has contributed in the education of the rich during his time. His association with the rich has actually aided him in reaching out to the poor especially the prisoners and slaves of his time. He has brought liberation to many of them. Together with St. Louis de Marillac, he founded the Daughters of Charity. 

Today, the Daughters of Charity run Orphanages like, Hospicio de San Jose and Homes for the Aged all over the Philippines. They also run schools like La Concordia, Sta. Isabel and many more.

Devotion to the Miraculous Medal is one great contribution of the Daughters of Charity and Congregation of the Missions. Through the Association of Children of Mary, Miraculous Medals are widely distributed to the youth of today. Many young people who joined the Children have discovered their own vocation in life; a vocation to serve God through the Church. 

A statue of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is found at the center of the church. Mama Mary's outstretched arms with rays coming from her fingers seem to tell everyone who are passing by the church how good God is and how much graces He has showered upon us through our Lord Jesus Christ, her Son. If you enter the Church, you will find the beautiful retablo in the main altar. It's  made up of three statues, the image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in the middle; a seated image of Mama Mary with St. Catherine Laboure on her knees talking to Mary at the left side and at the right side, the image of an M surmounted by a cross with 12 stars surrounding it and the twin hearts of Jesus and Mary below it, showing the back portion of the Miraculous Medal. 

    

Historic Church of Sta. Ana in Molo, Ilo-ilo

This marker shows that the National Historical Institute has proclaimed Sta. Ana Church in Molo Ilo-ilo as a historic site in 1992.

Marker reads:

Unang ipinagawang yari sa Tabque Pampango na may bubong na tisa. Pinalitan ng nipa ni P. Jose Ma. Sichon, 1863. Iniharap ang plano ng pagpapatayo ng simbahang bato, 1866; inaprobahan ni Obispo Mariano Cuartero, 1869 ang kasalukuyang simbahan na may arkitektura na istilong Gothic-Rennaisance ay ipinatayo agad makaraang aprobahan ang plano nito. Inialay sa karangalan ni Santa Ana. Ito ay nakilalang Simbahan ng mga kababaihan dahilan sa may16 na imahen ng mga santa, Dinalaw ni Dr. Jose Rizal dahilan sa mga Biblikong Pinta, 1896. Nagsilbing sentro ng ebakwasyon noong ikalawang digmaang pandaigdigan. Bahagyang nasira noong liberasyon. Inayos ni Rep.P. Manuel Alba sa tulong ng mga mananampalataya makaraan ang liberasyon.

It is good to visit historical sites like this. It is a great source of inspiration. The churches may be made of cold stone but for me, they are living testimonies of the burning faith of early Christians in our country. They could not have stood as they do today if early Christians did not help build these churches. Our hearts are filled with gratitude to the people especially to those who led them in order to make the construction of these churches a reality. 

Facade of Sta. Ana Church

Inside Sta. Ana Church 

Sta. Ana Church in Molo, Ilo-ilo is a very interesting Church. With 16 life-size statues of female saints, it was dubbed as the Church for women. Doubly interesting is the plaza found in front of the Church of Sta. Ana where you will find statues of Greek goddesses as though saying that out here are Greek goddesses while inside the church are Christian women saints. Well, you can have your own interpretation, but I would prefer the real motive why it was made so. Perhaps, if we can interview those in charge, they can enlighten us on this matter. For now, let us leave things that way. I cannot explain something that I do not know. We can make guesses but they will remain guesses.

Gazebo in the middle of the plaza