Golden Canonical Coronation

The Commemoration of the 5oth Canonical Coronation was held at Villa del Sol Subd. City of SnaFernando Pampanga. San Fernando witness the very first Canonical Coronation of Virgen delos Remedios, here is where the Image was first crowned. The spot where the letter was read at the Capitol grounds has a marker now, unveiled the day before Sept. 8. Thousands had come to witness the re-enactment of the coronation for the 5oth year. Images from the 22 towns of Pampanga were also invited to come. Ceremony starts at the Metropolitan Cathedral, here spectatiors, devotees and the like awaits for the processional. The Image was dressed in gold with embroidery and had a new "templete", which was colored in powdered blue and gold guilded. Both Images were flourished with all white flowers. At 3pm the processional begun, those devotees of "Apung Iru" shoulder bourne the Image. All of the chapels and churches' bells were rung "madupical". At the main venue the ceremony starts by blowing the horn, this was very significant during the old times. Archbishop Pacino B. Aniceto led the concelebrated mass. Archbishop also crowned the Image, his auxilliary was the one who laid the lay to Sto. Cristo del Perdon and released the white doves. I haven't seen the rosary balloon being released right after the ceremony. During the old days the releasing of balloon is a ceremony awaitted by the people, because this is the basis of where the next eventwill be host, according to the direction the balloon moves. The tradition vanished due to lack of space to accomodate the increasing number of practitioners attending the event. This time the celebration went till 6pm, fireworks filled the panorama as the people goes back. There was still a ceremony after, to procession the Images back to their home at the Chancery. The ceremony was what they call "Salve Regina" honors to the Virgin Mary.

Dalo Balen

The Golden celebration of the Canonical Coronation of Virgen de los Remedios was the grandest among the previous one. For as early as June the council had long prepared for the main event. The Archdiocese commissioned Mr Tom Joven to restore the old Image, he did with much appreciation. One of the prelude to the coronation was the "Dalo Balen", visitation of the Canonically crowned Image to the 22 towns of Pampanga. Right-after the presentention of the restored Images of Virgen delos Remedios and Sto. Cristo del Perdon to the public at Pulung Masle Guagua Pampanga, the Images began the visit at Masantol. Town of Masantol was the very first town visited by the crusade when it began 50 years ago as brainchild by then Archbishop Cesar Ma. Guerrero. This event happens only after every 5o years, the reason why those who She visited were overwhelmed by Her presence. The Images leaves and arrives at every town as early as 4am, eventhough its too early many anxiously waited for Her arrival. The Images then stays for two days then leaves early the next day. Unending rosary is heard at the town church, motorcde is also expected for the other villages for them to be able to see the Images. The heighlight of their stay is the "memalens" offering songs to the Images (Harana sa Birhen).

Here are some of my personal collection photo which I took during the "Dalo Balen" at Santa Ana.

Virgen delos Remedios

The 51st Commemoration of the Canonical Coronation of the Patroness of Pampanga this September 8, 2007 will be held at Angeles City. For over 5o years now, Kapampangans celebrates the birth of Virgin Mary thru Her Image titular "Virgen delos Remedios". The Canonically Crowned Image is presently at the Holy Rosary Parish Church, Angeles City in preparartion for Her 9 day novena and coronation rites. According to resources, the Image together with the Image of Santo Cristo del Perdon stays there for a month. Originally the Image stays at the Chancery, She has a post at the main altar of a chapel named after Her. The heighlight of the annual event is a concelebrated mass by the Archbishop (Arch Paciano B. Aniceto), re-enactment of the canonical coronation ceremony, laying of a lei to the Image of Santo Cristo del Perdon and the releasing of the balloon rosary. Before, the releasing of a balloon rosary was symbolic for whom the cross lands will be the next year's host. Presently, Angeles City and the City of San Fernando were the one interchanging yearly as host since the avalance of Mount Pinatubo damage some parts of Pampanga. The two cities have the capacity to hold thousands of devotees.

Photo courtesy of;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/munsterinc/

Also visit his account for more of these photos.
I also posted discussion about Virgen delos Remedios from one of the flickr grups; Images of Faith here's the link:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/santos_images_of_faith/discuss/72157601742759907/

Re-dedication of Santa Monica Parish Church

August 27, 2007 - a day before the feast of San Agustin, early at 8am the town of Mexico out loud with the Church bells. The Re-dedication of Santa Monica Parish Church and the Blessing of the Eucharisting Chapel took place yesterday morning as passersby heard the bells of the old bellfry. Recently the church undergoes several renovations particularly the exterior, and finally concluded with a ceremony.

San Bartolome

Patayum was the former name of the village. Patayum means a place for tinting clothes. San Bartolome, its present name, is one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus written in the bible. Few have I knew about the life of the saint, He has an iconography of holding a sword which they say the instrument which flayed His skin alive. He also holds a bible at the other hand significant of Him being one of the Apostles. The village is one of those villages close to the town proper. The Chapel of San Bartolome has remaining features from the original structures, same as the other Chapels the chapel undergoes several alterations. The very recent was the addition of a stainglass in front portraying the saint. San Bartolome has 3 processional Images, following a heirarchy of heights. The smallest a "tallada" is used for the "lubenas" (9 day novena). The medium size was the one being used on all occasions specially during fiestas. The large one, which has a post at the main altar is used for a particular occasion only, during the lenten procession. August 24, is the feast day of the patron, "Happy Fiesta San Bartolome!".

The above photo is taken at this year's fiesta 2007, photo courtesy of Ma'am Bethuel

Recomended Site

Here is a site recommended by Center for Kapampangan Studies' Mr. Alex R. Castro. The site is also an informative for those churches in Pampanga with photos provided, another mastepeice done by Mr. Ivan Anthony Henares head of the Commission on Cultural Heritage of the city of San Fernando.

Here's the link;

http://www.geocities.com/pisamban/

http://kamaru.blogspot.com/

http://www.viewsfromthepampang.blogspot.com/

http://www.ivanhenares.com/

Istasyun

Istasyun is the local dialect for Stations of the Cross. Yesterday (Aug. 20, 2007) I have seen for the first time the original Stations of the Cross which used to hang on the walls of the Old Church. Accongding to the keeper, Tatang Jess (BPC president of Bo. San Nicolas), the stations were transfered to their Chapel during the reign of Fr. Lansang (then the Parish Priest). Good thing was they were still complete but due to the old state most fo the paintings were peeled. The Stations were painted on aluminum (with such a great paintings) and framed with old wood, relatively large in size wih cross on the middle top. I wonder why did they changed these masterpieces? The BPC President is willing to return these artifacts to the Parsh Church Museum. At sad state the Museum was temporary closed due to lack of space for a permanent exhibit hall.

September 14, 2007 the date when John Paul Canlas and Jonathan Musngi successfully transferred back to the hands of the Commission the original stations of the cross of Santa Ana Parish Church. Great paintings yet frustrating that these magnificent work of arts begun to peel. The move is another part of the Commission advocacy to restore what can be restored while existing.

Pisamban XX

San Andres Apostol Church (Candaba Pampanga)

Pinac was the old name of the town. Today pinac is just a part of it, what is now known as the sanctuary of Migratory birds. The old church is one of those skinned and somewhat appears to be untouched. I remember when we went there for my cousin’s wedding I stared at the belfry it appears to be altered maybe due to destruction and preventive measures. I have read an account stating a strange feature of the church, those tiles at the front door were said to have a Chinese inscriptions. Box type retablo probably the original painted in white with goldleafing.

The above featured photo was with the consent of the owner.
Also visit their flickr account for more of these images at;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allan_borja/

Pisamban XIX

Santa Catalina de Alexandria Church (Porac Pampanga)

The avalanched of lahar almost erased this town to the map of Pampanga. Aetas made refuge of this area after their homes were devastated by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. “Binulo Festival” is their signature festivity recently introduced to the public. Binulo is the way of cooking of the Aetas native. The church was simple with only the circular rose window. One of its distinct feature is that the seal of The Agustinian Missionary can still be found at the head of the main door. Other churches loose this detail due to the inclusion of canopies in front of the main door. Typical Christ centered main altar.

The above featured photo was with the consent of the owner.
Also visit his flickr account at;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allan_borja/

Pisamban XVIII

San Pedro Apostol Church (Apalit Pampanga)

Known for their Fluvial Festival and the life size Image of Saint Peter made of Ivory. The church stands next to a large body of water, the Pampanga River. Those who take the North Luzon Expressway can have a better glimpse of the structure. Church façade features a twin towered belfry, atop a galvanized structure same as the material used for the dome. The interior features a monochromatic painting on walls done by students of world’s famous painter Alberoni. The retablo mayor remains though painted several times, to date the paint is colored to appear as wood type. People are allowed to go up the retablos back for them to be able to touch the Image of San Pedro.

The above photos featured were with consent to the owner.
Also visit their flickr accounts at;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/munsterinc/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allan_borja/

Pisamban XVII

Nuestra Senora del Pillar Church (San Simon Pampanga)

Del Pillar was the original patron saint of the town owing to the founder's name, later the town was named at its present, San Simon another prominent person who presided a post during those times. There's not much to the church, the original structure was destroyed during the war. The church which preceded the ruin has a mosque type feature unto its belfry. Some of its original features still in existence. When we approached those who resides there, they themselves do not even know the history of their church. The interior is simple with the risen Christ Image at the central altar.

Pisamban XVI

Santa Rita de Casia Church

Popularized by a teledrama at the national TV. The church seems identical to the Santa Ana Church with its exterior features. The church is also one of those who preserved the original palitada. Once the church colored yellow before its present state of bare lime coat. Still the previous paint appears at some spots. Manong was busy goldleafing the side retablos when we went for a visit, he's also the one who goldleafed the retablo mayor. On our way back we can't resist this town well known delicasies. The town is known for delicasies such as Sansrival, Turrones de Casoy and Duman. Duman is the town's well known festival for over five years now.

Special thanks to Mr. Alex R. Castro for the old photo and the Center for Kapampangan Studies
Visit his flickr account at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexrcastro/

Featured photo was with the cosent of the owner
Also visit his flickr account at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allan_borja/

Pisamban XV

Imaculada Concepcion Church (Guagua Pampanga)

Wawa or mouth of the river was the former name of the town. Here was were barter trade was existing during the colonial era as evidence to the old Chinese coin found at the area. The town had an extinct tradition during the town fiesta then. They have this vintage photo which shows a replica of the Eiffel Tower bulit at the town's main road island. The bulding of different structures during the town fiesta at the main road island practice during those days was a tradition now extinct. The church stands untouch, even the retablo mayor remains on its original state preserved. The original "palitada of the church remains unlike others whicch were skinned so as to appear old, the mere fact was that this skinned churches are prone to damage due to natural exposure. Adobe as featured earlier cannot stand the acidity of rainwater, the reason why these churches were coated with natural coating. The palitada before was not that of chemical made primarily with limestone. If cement is used to cover the natural stone adobe the cement will ignite severe damage to the adobe stone due to its chemical content. Other issues conforming the preservation of these old churches was that of the wild plans starting to grow at the connections of these adobe stones. Betis is now a baranggay of Guagua formerly Betis was a town, one of the original towns of Pampanga.

The above featured photos has the consent of the owners
Also visit their flickr account for more of these photos
follow thw following links:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allan_borja/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oggie/

Pisamban XIV

Santa Monica Church (Mexico Pampanga)

Masicu was the former name of the town due to the proliferation of "sicu" trees. My mother's hometown at the village they call "parian". The church was said to be located at the Philippine fault line, due to this factor the former structures continues to collapse. The only remining sturcture of the original church is the belfry. At present the church undergoes exterior renovations, the one that stayed before was that of a modern one. From triangular and pionted facade to broad and curvelinear one. From a simple concrete scratch coat finish to bricks and mouldings. The church facade features a full size stain glass of Santa Monica. The interiors remain although modern. Probably there was a retablo mayor before which holds the Images at the side altars. The main altar resembles that of Santa Ana, Image of crucified Christ at the center and the patron saint with the side angels holding lights. Home of the province's oldest chapel at San Jose Matulid. I have been at the chapel once when I am at the process of collecting data for my thesis. The chapel really was that old though some of the features were altered but the imposing facade remains century old.

Featured photo has the consent of Mr. Allan Borja
Also visit his flickr account for more of these images
follow the following link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allan_borja/

Pisamban XIII

San Bartolome Apostol Church (Magalang Pampanga)

Bounded at the other side of Mount Arayat. The old church has only its facade remaining. The front yard and its interior were modernized instead of restored. The church facade is one of those retablo type. One of its legendary story was that of a certain bell made out of gold.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Allan Borja
Also visit his flickr account for more of these Images
Follow the following link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allan_borja/

"Alay sa Mag-Aaral"

First of its kind, Grades 5 and 6 student from around the town were given the priviledge as recipient of the project. During the nine day novena mass in honor of Santa Ana at 3pm, students from host schools (as scheduled) flocked at the church to;
1. Listen to the life story of Santa Ana including the story of how the remains of Santa Ana was found (with audio visual presentation).
2. Watch the towns history thru a slideshow prepared by the Commissionon Cultural Heritage of Santa Ana.
3. Finally to experience a tour within the old church. A top the experience they were given the priviledge to go into spaces within the church even those space which were restricted. Further, they were to climb the belfry and see the panorama of the town.
I have assisted in explaining the history of the town (said to be fast), and some spot of the church tour as I explain to the students interest. Quite tiring, the best part was that this young students learn their roots at an interesting side. Another project of Fr. Roger Yambao (Parish Priest of Santa Ana).
Other mentors were; Ma'am Briones, Ate Kis, Ma'am Nerissa and Dra. Gaddi

(above photo from the collection of Ma'am Agnes)