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.
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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
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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.

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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
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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
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"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)