Apung Lucia

Kalinan was the local name of this baranggay of Santa Ana (Sta. Lucia). Baranggay fronting the town proper close to the next town (Candaba). Third of the series of processional saints of Santa Ana previously featured.

Pisamban VI

Nuestra Senora del Rosario dela Naval Church (Angeles City Pampanga)

Culiat was the towns first name when this area was just a part of San Fernando. Culiat means a messy place due to the old leaves scattered at the place. The church was built by the Spaniards friars in force labor. The church back lawn was a killing ground at that time. One of the church feature was the retablo mayor with a silver sunburst. The church was also used as hospital stations for the war injured by the Americans. The sunburst was made from the earings and jewelry of then the riches. Name of the town honoring their founder Don Pantaleon Angeles.

Also visit the flickr account of the above photo(s) for more info.

Use this link:

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

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

Pisamban V

San Nicolas de Tolentino Church (Macabebe Pampanga)

The Macabebes were known as footnotes in Philippine History, the plot when first president Emilio Aguinaldo was captured. The church was one of those churches of the province who had only one niche at the altar for their patron saint. San Nicolas de Tolentino was not from Tolentino but stayed there until his death. The San Nicolas biscuits were known delicacies of the province which has an embossed figure of the saint. Towns named after the proliferation of clamshells localy known as cabibi.

Also visit the frienster account of the above photo(s) for more info.

Use this link:

http://www.friendster.com/28001484

Pisamban IV

San Miguel Arkanghel Church (Masantol Pampanga)

The angel soldier written at the book of revelation who defeated the evil (hence his iconography). The town was blessed when the patroness of the province was first enthroned at their church. A very unique church which has it’s belfry at the center of the church façade.

Also visit the frienster account of the above photo(s) for more info.

Use this link:

http://www.friendster.com/11269646

Pisamban III

Santa Lucia Church (Sasmuan Pampanga)

Sasmuan means meeting place, also located at the borders of the Pampanga river. Most of the old churches face the river for the materials were traveled thru it. This was the towns original name and when the Americans came they spoke the town’s name into “sexmoan”. The name has returned to it’s original name after it was revoked. The present church was a new one excluding the façade and belfry plus some parts of the church. The retablo mayor was partly restored for they added four niches unto it. During the town fiesta (December 13), they built up a sole retablo for their patron saint alone done in metal “pukpok”.

Pisamban II

San Agustin Church (Lubao Pampanga)

One of the oldest church in the country and oldest among the churches of Pampanga. Strategically located at the river side, formerly a port (the mere fact that the church was named after San Agustin, the patron saint of the Agustinian missionaries who were the institution of these churches). The church preservation is nearing to end due to the skinning of the church. Those churches that were originally with coat must remain coated for they can’t stand the acidity of rain. Inside this old church stands a preserved retablo mayor.

Also visit the flickr account of the above photo(s) for more info.

Use this link:

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

Pisamban

San Guillermo Ermitanyo Church (Bacolor Pampanga)

Baculud was the first name given to Bacolor. Town of Bacolor was the first capital of the province before it was transferred to the City of San Fernando.

The first on my series of posting churches of the owns of Pampanga. I was struck when I saw a photo essay capturing the elevated bust of Crissot (A renowned poet) with a backdrop of the public market still merged down the thick lahar. Lahar avalanche almost erased the town from existence, but the people were never a failure. Rising from the dust was their culture, they never gave up. These photo collections were from different masters. Those buried retablos of the church were unearthed and restored by Sir Tom Joven (including the saints on their niches). The church was half buried yet recovering.

Also visit the flickr account of the above photos for more info.

These are their links:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40196288@N00/

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

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

Note: The above photos were posted with given permissions from their respective owners.