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/