Churches in the Philippines

philippinechurch — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:04:12 +0000

Capiz is brilliant place when it come to churches. There they have the prestigious Dumalag church and the Sta Monica Parish Church. Let’s talk about the Sta Monica Parish Church.

Sta. Monica Parish church is one of the great tourist spots in Capiz. It was declared as National Heritage by the National Historical Commission in 1997. According to history Pan-ay is exactly located on plain and fertile land irrigated by the rivers of Panay. The climate is rather humid due to the abundant nipa fields and being located in low sea level. It’s bounded by the sea of Mindoro, Pontevedra and the town of Capiz. Panay is has the only capability to challenge Dumangas distinction of being the first town to have received the faith.

Panay belongs to the Baroque church in the Philippines. The pediment cascades gracefully down. The façade
is ornamented with swags of flowers, niches and statuary. The bell tower to the left of the
façade is simple in contrast to the façade. And it housing the biggest bell in Asia. It base in planned as a quadrilateral but its
upper stories are octagonal with the two sides longer than the other. The interior was
formerly divided into a central nave with flanking aisles, but in recent years, the wooden
post that marked the divisions was removed to improve sight lines to the altar. This floor
has been reconstructed in reinforced concrete with coral stone facing the roof of the
church, already damaged by a storm in 1984 and subsequently repaired, was already in a
dilapidated condition in 2000. The church retains much of its original floor terra
cottatiles, white marbles and black slate as accents and floor the sanctuary. The church has
three altars in Baroque style. The retalbo of the central altar has been touched and
probably represent the original colors of the woodwork primaries of blue, red, green,
orange with gold leaf accents. These altars are unique for Latin inscriptions carved on
roundels set in its read thin columns. Behind Gospel side altar are remnants of decorative
painting, also done in brilliant primaries.

philippinechurch — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:34:29 +0000

One of Spain’s objectives in colonizing the Philippines was to establish the Catholic religion among the Filipinos. Therefore, missionaries were among the first Spanish colonizers (1565), and the Catholic faith was the state religion for the next three centuries. In early history there was no separation of church and state in the Philippines, and in most cases local parish priests played the dual role of civil official and ecclesiastical leader. Not until the end of the Spanish administration (1898) was there a true separation of church and state and only then were other religions permitted. For more information on church history in the Philippines, see: biggest bell in asia

Anderson, Gerald A., Editor. Studies in Philippine Church History. Ithaca, New York, USA: Cornell University Press, 1969. (FHL book 959.9K2s.)

Elwood, Douglas J. Churches and Sects in the Philippines: A Descriptive Study of Contemporary Religious Group Movements. Dumaguete City, Philippines: Silliman University, 1968, c1967. (FHL book 959.9K2e.)

Von Oeyen, Robert J., Jr. Philippine Evangelical Protestant and Independent Catholic Churches: An Historical Bibliography of Church Records,
Publications and Source Material Located in the Greater Manila Area. Quezon City, Philippines: Asian Center, University of the Philippines, 1970. (FHL book 959.91 K23vo.)

Catholic Church Records

The Roman Catholic Church remains the largest church in the Philippines, with 85 percent of the population belonging to it. During its 400–year history in the Philippines, the Catholic Church created many useful genealogical records. Most church records in the Philippines are Catholic. In this outline, church records refer to Catholic Church records unless otherwise stated. tourist spot in the philippines

Dumalag church

philippinechurch — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:45:29 +0000

nother tourist attraction that Dumalag captivate is the Dumalag Parish Church under the Patron St. of Saint Martin de Tours. The first church and convent of Dumalag were constructed between 1600 and 1720, and the parish was dedicated to Saint martin of Tour, a bishop. In 1833 Fr. Augustin Duran, whose name has been adopted by one of the Dumalag’s biggest Barangays, started the construction of present church. The church had a five story bell tower which rose majestically at the left side of the church.

The church made of yellow sandstone, is 70m and 18m wide. It has two doors at the sid and one in the front. Small pilasters decorate the facade wall. Six engaged rectangular pilaster rise up to the triangular pediment. The five story belltower rises gracefully by the left side of the church.

church in capiz

philippinechurch — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:18:42 +0000

Sta Monica Parish Church December 17, 2009 In 1566, Fray Martín de Rada is said to have preached the Gospel in Bamban (Pan-ay) and from there he proceeded to evangelize Dumangas to the south. The Augustinians continued to spread their net of evangelization to the south and west of Pan-ay until they had established footholds in the whole island. By the late 1500s, they had been had been the sole evangelizers of Panay island until the Jesuits arrived at this time. Because of lack of food, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi sta monica parish church transferred the Spanish settlement from Cebu to Pan-ay in 1569. The town was formally founded in 1572 (1581 according to Jorde), although by that time Legazpi had moved the capital of the Philippines, further north, to Manila. Fr. Bartolome de Alcantara was named the prior of the town with Fr. Agustin Camacho as assistant. A prosperous town due to trade, Pan-ay became capital of Capiz for two centuries, until Capiz was named capital. The town name was eventually given to whole island. After 1607, Fr. Alonso de Méntrida, noted for his linguistic studies and Visayan dictionary became prior. In the 18th century, Pan-ay was famous for its textile industry which produced a cloth called suerte and exported to Europe. In the 19th century, Don Antonio Roxas, grandfather of Pres. Manuel Roxas, opened one of the largest rum and wine distilleries in the town. The Augustinians held the parish until 1898, when administration tranferred to the seculars. Sta monica parish church The first church was built before 1698 when it is reported that a typhoon had ruined it. In 1774, Fr. Miguel Murguía rebuilt the church, but it was later damaged by a typhoon on 15 January 1875. Fr. Jose Beloso restored the church in 1884. The church is best known for its 10.4 ton bell popularly called dakong lingganay (big bell). The bell was cast by Don Juan Reina who settled in Iloilo in 1868. Reina who was town dentist was also noted as a metal caster and smith. The bell was cast at Pan-ay from 70 sacks of coins donated by the townspeople. The bell was completed in 1878. It bears an inspiring inscription which translated reads: “I am God’s voice which shall echo praise from one end of the town of Pan-ay to the other, so that Christ’s faithful followers may enter this house of God to receive heavenly graces.” Heritage Features: Pan-ay belongs to the Baroque style. The pediment cascades gracefully down. The façade is ornamented with swags of flowers, niches and statuary. The bell tower to the left of the façade is simple in contrast to the façade. It base is planned as a quadrilateral but its upper stories are octagonal with the two sides longer than the other. To the church was attached an L-shaped convento, which had been ruined. Remnants of the covento have been incorporated into the present modern convento. Behind the church are remnants of a wall, which according to town lore was once a fortification. Attached to the sacristy is a large storage room, now converted into a Blessed Sacrament chapel. The interior was formerly divided into a central nave with flanking aisles, but in recent years, the wooden posts that marked the divisions were removed to improve sight lines to the altar. The wooden choirloft was also removed because it was damaged by termites, so were the wooden floors of the bell tower. In place the tower has an independent steel stairway that leads to the topmost floor. This floor has been reconstructed in reinforced concrete with coral stone facing. The roof of the church, already damaged by a storm in 1984 and subsequently repaired, was already in a dilapidated condition in 2000. Its wood work was rotten and was in danger of collapsing. The woodwork and roof have been replaced by a steel and galvanized iron structure. The church retains much of its original floor: terra cotta tiles, white marble and black slate as accents and for the sanctuary. The church has three altars in Baroque style. The retablo of the central altar has been painted over in silver and gold enamel, capiz tourist attraction however, the side altars have hardly been touched and probably represent the original colors of the woodwork—primaries of blue, red, green, orange with gold leaf accents. These altars are unique for Latin inscriptions carved on roundels set in its reed thin columns. and now become the one of the hottest capiz tourist spot Behind Gospel side altar are remnants of decorative painting, also done in brilliant primaries -from tourist spot in capiz http://www.admu.edu.ph/offices/mirlab/panublion/r6_stamonica.html

Tanay Church

philippinechurch — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:28:22 +0000

Built in 1778, the church was named after the Archbishop Ildefonso of Toledo, Spain, who was consecrated during the year 657 AD; revered for his spiritual vitality and deep writings contained in “ The Book of the Virginity of Maria”. Behind the heavy stone edifice decorated with Hispanic, archetype windows and stone sculpture of its saint, are legends that found its way to this generation. Tradition has it that an image of the Lady of the Immaculate Conception, was found among the belongings of our fleeing forefathers on the onset of the Spanish Invasion in 1573; the same image found among the remnants from the fire that gutted the first church in 1620- a lone survivor! During the Chinese Uprising in 1639, Father Geronimo de Frias hid it in the fields but was later on found by the Chinese rebel who tried to destroy the image, instead to themselves befell violent death. This event took place on the 24 th of February, 1640; hence the annual date for the towns fiesta in honor of its second Patron Saint- The Immaculate Concepcion.

Inside, the antiquated retablos hold a charming aide memoire – scored images of its saints, particularly Saint Ildefonso, enclave in this palatial altar since the 17 th century- their expressive fragile appearances depict sobriety and depth. In its ingrained, graying stonewalls inlay “The Station of the Cross”, a dramatic representation of the great agony of Christ; marching from one station to the next, in waves of glorious rhetoric; sculpted in wood by an unknown native and immortalized in Nick Joaquin’s “Via Crucis”. The ancient Sagragio lain in its respite, in one corner of the Retablo of Juan de Bautista, its aged wooden figure stands firm despite its antiquity. Other 17 th century relics like the venerable and heavy church bells, ancients cisterns for holy water, and the variants of religious figures drawn on its dome-like ceiling are felicitous additions to this elegant and reclusive world; a moment when the onlooker loses himself within the composition that its outcome becomes real! of many philippine churches

Passing through its ancient pavements, one finds silent markings on the floor -of ancient headstones where our dead ancestors lain, mostly dated 1905. The sublime reality of their existence is reminiscent of the present time, when people walk to and from these same pathways or stand in awe admiring every detail, every piece of its history embellished in the stone laid by bare hands of our enduring forefathers; the fruit of their labor we harvest in our time; Their humble past becomes the soul that lies within us.As a tourist spot also

Baclayon Church

philippinechurch — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:27:39 +0000

Visits to Bohol’s churches are a common activity in Bohol especially during the Lenten season. The most visited is the Baclayon Church which is the oldest church in the province and one of the oldest in the Philippines. It is the town’s main attraction!

Ever since I was small and at every visit to Bohol, I passed by the Baclayon Church on the way to my Dad’s place in Guindulman or to my Mom’s at Mahayag, San Miguel. You would hardly miss the dark, imposing structure looming at the side of the road in the municipality of Baclayon.

Only recently was I able to visit or enter the Baclayon Church and now my mind set was different. I have grown, and I now appreciate art, artefacts and their value. So the chance to visit this famous church in Bohol was a go-go and a cause for excitement.

At close quarters, the church is huge, blackened by centuries of moss and dirt. It is made of blocks of coral stones said to have been hauled by 200 slaves thru forced labour and cemented together by millions of eggs and lime.

Lying alongside the road is the bell tower, likewise made of coral stones with a rooftop. Although it adjoins the main facade of the church, it is a separate edifice and does not cover the front facade.

Three arches with huge wooden doors, estimated to be 20 feet tall and very wide, grace the front facade. Coming directly from the brightly lit outside world and going through the huge door at the centre, the church interiors looked dull, dark and gloomy.

It was the first impression I got although that changed after my eyes adjusted to the interior light and slowly noticed the sunlight streaming from the stained glass windows. The varied colourful reflections filled the church and were breathless to behold.

From the door, one sees the rows of pews obviously made from hardwood and a tiled floor. Afar off, the altar looks magnificent with multiple levels reaching up to the ceiling. At a closer look, it was the more beautiful! The six arches of the altar with one at the top displays some saints that I cannot identify. Surmounted on the main altar though is the Jesuits’ emblem and motto “Ad majorem Dei gloriam.”

A pipe organ that dates back to the 19th century is high up on one side yet it is not functioning anymore. The choir and organ loft though have intricate designs and looks attractive.

Come to think of it, why not visit the church yourself? At your own perspective, a visit to the Baclayon Church and its museum would be more rewarding. Besides, Bohol is loaded with heritage sites and home to one of the world’s wonders: the Chocolate Hills.tourists spot Yet it has more! Come and see for yourself!

Brief History of Philippine Churches

philippinechurch — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:56:57 +0000

The hundreds of churches that were built throughout the Philippines were a product of the missionary enterprise of the Spanish regime that began in 1521. On March 16, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese-turned-Spanish navigator, reached the island of Homonhon in Samar, the easternmost island in the archipelago. Magellan’s discovery of the archipelago was accidental; he was on a route westward across the Pacific in search of Oriental spices and the riches of the Indies. The Catholic religion was introduced in the islands as soon as the Spanish landed in Samar. In March 31, 1521, the first mass ever performed in the archipelago was held on the shore of Limasawa. This momentous event was signified by the planting of a wooden cross on a hill overlooking the sea. This cross would symbolize the first Christianization attempt of the islands by the Spanish missionaries. In a skirmish with the natives led by a chieftain named Lapulapu, Magellan was not to return to Spain alive. Three years after sailing from San Lucar where the voyage started, the remainder of Magellan’s expedition team completed the first circumnavigation attempt of the globe. It was 22 years later when the archipelago was once more rediscovered by the Spanish, this time by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos. He claimed the archipelago under the Spanish rule and named it “Philippines” in honor of King Philip of Spain. The arrival of the Spanish General Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in February 1565, 44 years after Magellan’s discovery of the islands, marked the beginning of Spanish influx in the new colony, most of them coming from New Spain or Mexico. This renewed interest in the archipelago was prompted by the orders of Philip II to the Viceroy of New Spain to Christianize the islands as well as to use it as a base for the spice trade in the region. The cross, along with the sword, ruled the new colony for almost 400 years. Throughout this period, the culture and way of life of the people in the archipelago took on a path that was dominantly controlled and determined by the Spanish conquistadors. Except for pockets and areas where there were very strong resistance against the colonizers, such as the people in the Cordillera region and in southern Mindanao, the natives eventually adapted to a Christian way of life. Other influences inevitably affected the course of life in the archipelago, including the form of government, economy, lifestyle, and educational system. Yet, the colonial atmosphere was very disadvantageous, often very painful and bitter, to the colonized people. To remedy the growing dissatisfaction of the people, the Spanish activated political, economic, and social reforms in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. While foreign education became accessible only to a privileged few–the illustrados–it had a paradoxical effect to the people’s struggle for freedom from the colonizers. The illustrados became instrumental in revealing and articulating the atrocities of the Spanish regime. The nationalistic fever of a few natives spread throughout the country and led to numerous skirmishes against the Spanish authority. Finally, the nationalistic movement catapulted to the Philippine revolution of 1896. In 1899, the last of the Spanish fleet left the Philippines for the last time. Behind them, they left, among many irrevocable influences, hundreds of brick and stone churches throughout the archipelago.

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