Monasterio de Tarlac/Our World-Tuesday

I had an opportunity to visit Monasterio de Tarlac recently, and the road trip was a pleasant surprise.  I've been passing through Tarlac for years---all roads going to northern Luzon pass through Tarlac, and I had an impression that the whole province is flat.  So I was amazed that on the way to the Monasterio de Tarlac in San Jose town, we passed mountain ranges and dense forests.  The monastery sits on top of the mountain, 300 meters above sea level within the eco-tourism park. This province is landlocked and located in the heart of Central Luzon, about 125 kilometers northeast of Metro Manila.

We were greeted by this imposing 30-foot statue of the Risen Christ, reminiscent of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil.  The statue, perched on the edge of the slope, was built in 2002---2 years after the monastery was constructed.

The Servants of the Risen Christ Monastic Community is under the diocese of Tarlac.  It is an apostolic-contemplative community of religious men who consecrated themselves to a life of prayer and work.  There are also groups of women (nuns) congregation here, the Handmaids, the Oblates and the Contemplatives of the Risen Christ who are taking care of orphans and abandoned children, they also teach catechism in schools and parishes.

This is the chapel that serves as a relinquary house of the Relic of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ.  The relic was given to Father Archie, the priest who started this monastery, by the former custodian of the relic, a priest in Essen, Germany.  The relic, the only one in Asia, was brought here in 2005.  

A shame I wasn't able to see it---one of the staff told me that taking a photo of the relic is not allowed. There was also a mass in the chapel so I didn't insist on seeing the relic.

Monasterio de Tarlac receives 600 to 800 visitors a week.  It's about 3 hours from Manila by car.

This mini castle is said to be the home of one of the priests.  Almost lost my footing here---and it was a long way down.  Imagine the epitaph on that one!:p

 A gazebo by the slopes of the mountain.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Church flowers/Blue Monday & Monday Mellow Yellows

Visited the historic San Sebastian Cathedral in Tarlac City on Saturday, and these flowers adorned the aisle and altar of the church.  The flowers were for a wedding ceremony held here on Saturday morning.  Will post more about this church in the next few days.:p

Linking to Blue Monday and Monday Mellow Yellows

Flores de Mayo: a Marian exhibit/Our World-Tuesday

Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) is a Catholic and Aglipayan festival held in the Philippines during the month of May.  It is celebrated through the whole month of May, in honor of the Virgin Mary, making Flores de Mayo a huge religious event.  The devotion of  Filipinos to Catholicism does not only revolve around the church and its rituals but also on images of veneration known as "santos".   These "santos" are cherished by the families who own them, and lavishly processioned during Lent, fiestas and religious holidays. 

My friends and I were at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan province on Saturday.  Barasoain Church is one of the most important religious and historical structures in the Philippines--this is where the first Philippine Congress was convened in 1898, the drafting of the Malolos Constitution from 1898-1899 and the site of the First Philippine Republic in 1899.  

Beside the church is the museum where we chanced upon this Marian exhibit called "Hermandad dela Virgen Maria", on its 21st year, in honor of the Virgin Mary, the Queen of Flowers.

Each figure in this exhibit alludes to the title of the Virgin Mary.  I didn't recognize most of them but the one with pink roses on her head is Rosa Mystica (Mystical Rose); the golden wreath symbolizes the crown of saints or Reyna de los Santos; there's one holding a palm branch, Reyna de los Apostoles, queen of apostles; carrying a wand with star is Reyna de las Estrellas, and Reyna Justicia, queen of justice--she carries a sword and a weighing scale.

I've learned all these by watching the Santacruzan since I was very young---the highlight of our summer vacation before going back to school. The Santacruzan is a religio-historical beauty pageant held on the last day of the Flores de Mayo.  It is held in towns and cities all over the Philippines.

As a non-Catholic, I look at these statues not as religious icons but works of art. The intricate embroidery, the rich, handmade adornments, the beautiful sculpted faces are fascinating. Obviously, these images were based on European models but these were actually carved and painted by Filipino hands. These figures celebrate the exuberant art of our "santos" makers, and they tell a story of how faith grew in this country--the historical model was European, the execution was done locally, and the product is part of our national heritage today.

And here is my favorite---Reyna de los Martires, queen of martyrs, with a pierced heart.  She's also known as Mater Dolorosa.  I love the sad, beautiful expression on her face.

These statues will be paraded around Malolos on May 12th, with marching bands and fireworks, followed by a mass and Santacruzan.

Malolos, Bulacan province is about 42 kilometers north of Manila.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday

All Saints' Day

“Oh how the candles will be lit and the wood of worm burn in a fiery dust. For on all Hallow's Eve will the spirits come to play, and only the fruit of thy womb will satisfy their endless roaming.”  ~ Solange Nicole

All Saints' Day or Todos los Santos is celebrated in the Philippines today, November 1st.  Filipinos observe this day solemnly by visiting graves of dead relatives, offering prayers and flowers, lighting candles, cleaning and repairing graves.

Lorenzo Ruiz/Our World Tuesday

 
Most Filipino Catholics recognize the name San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the first Filipino saint. He was also known as Lorenzo de Manila, born in Binondo, Manila between 1600 and 1610 to a Chinese father and Tagalog mother.  He was an altar boy and was educated by the Dominican Fathers.  San Lorenzo Ruiz was a layman, with two sons and a daughter.

This statue of Lorenzo de Manila is located at the open field near Quirino Grandstand across the Rizal monument.

The caption at the statue’s base reads: “Si yo tuviera miles de Vidas las daria por mi fe."  The on-line Spanish-English translation is "If I had thousands of lives, I would give for my faith."  This was part of his declaration while being tortured and his tormentor taunted him that his life would be spared if he would renounce his faith.  

"That I shall never do, because I am a Christian and I shall die for God, and for Him I will give many thousands of lives if I had them.  And so do with me as you please." ~ Lorenzo de Manila

In 1636, Ruiz was falsely accused of killing a Spaniard.  He sought asylum on board a ship with Dominican priests bound for Okinawa, Japan.  By the time they arrived in Japan, the Tokugawa shogunate was persecuting Christians and the missionaries were consequently arrested and thrown to prison.  Ruiz and his companions went through different types of torture---needles were inserted inside their fingernails, they were beaten unconscious; they were hung by their feet and submerged in water until some of his companions recant their faith.

On September 27, 1637, Ruiz and his companions were taken to the Nishizaka Hill.  There, he was hung upside down into a pit---this form of torture was known as tsurushi in Japanese or horca y hoya in Spanish.  This was the most painful way to die in those times and involved using rocks to add weight to the person until the tortured person suffocates and is crushed from their own weight.  After two days, Lorenzo Ruiz died from bleeding and suffocation.  His body was cremated and his ashes were thrown to the sea.  He never recanted his love and faith in God.  Source

Lorenzo de Manila was beatified by Pope John II during the Papal visit to Manila on February 18, 1981.  Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was elevated to sainthood and received canonization on October 18, 1987 by Pope John Paul II in Rome.  He is recognized as the first Filipino saint and martyr.

I feel sad for this tattered marker.  I feel sad for those who suffered, who are still suffering  and persecuted because of their faith, political allegiance, and ethnicity.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday 

Quiapo Church/OWT

Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or more popularly known as the Quiapo Church in Plaza Miranda along Quezon Boulevard in Manila.  I haven't been to this area of Manila in almost two decades until last Saturday.  

This church is home to a 17th century life-size statue of the Black Nazarene to whom many Catholics are devotees.  Many devotees have testified to the healing power of the Black Nazarene, making this church a pilgrimage to Filipino Catholics.

The feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated every January 9th, and attended by thousands of bare-footed devotees, mostly men (women, especially the elderly are discouraged to join because of the pushing and shoving), who join the procession.  Year after year, people have died and hospitalized from the surge of devotees during the procession.

Franciscan missionaries built the original church in the 15th century.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Semana Santa/OWT

For Christians around the world, today is Holy Tuesday.  The Philippines, a predominantly Catholic nation, celebrates Semana Santa (Holy Week) this week.  Semana Santa is a significant religious festival here, most businesses either shut down operations or have later opening and earlier closing times.  Local TV networks and radio stations have limited broadcasting hours or show religious programs only. No rock music over the airwaves during Holy Week.:p

I grew up watching these processions every year on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.   The processions were major events that we looked forward to when we were kids.  Floats with life-size statues representing the Passion of Christ are paraded all over town with accompanying music.  Devotees walking all the way from the church, across town and back.

Prominent families usually own a float which was handed down from generations, some of the antique statues were sculpted in Spain.  A relative on my mother's side of the family owns one of these floats---a parcel of rice field is farmed to finance the expenses of the statue---flowers, decorations, robe/fabric, gas to power up the lights, food to feed those who prepares the statue every year and for the family and friends who walk beside the float.

I had a personal favorite when I was a kid---a statue of the Mater Dolorosa.  She was beautiful, her eyes were so sad, her robe was always stunning, and she left a scent of perfume.  I didn't see her during this procession though--or I missed her because of the crowd.  I hope the owner has not retired her yet.

I am not a Catholic and my Semana Santa pilgrimage is more of nostalgia, of returning to my roots, of reliving my childhood---to hold hands with cousins and aunts while watching the procession passing by our street, to see familiar smiles and faces.

 The Santo Entiero, (the image of a dead Christ) encased in a glass casket is usually the last float in the procession.  The glass casket is guarded towards the end of the procession as people tend to grab the flowers---devotees believe that flowers from the Santo Entiero float bring good luck to fishermen.

This year, I am not going home for the Semana Santa but will visit nearby towns to watch the processions.  I am still thinking if I'd like to see some self-flagellation or crucifixion on Good Friday.  Let's see where my feet would take me.:p

These photos were taken last year on Good Friday in my mother's hometown of Valladolid in Negros Occidental.

Linking to Our World - Tuesday

Silay City: San Diego de Alcala Pro-Cathedral [MWT]

@ mirandablue

One of Silay City's landmarks is a 20th century church formerly known as St. Didacus Parish in honor of its patron saint, Didacus of Alcala, a Franciscan saint more commonly known in the Philippines as San Diego de Alcala.  This church is right across the plaza and beside the city hall.

This church was declared as pro-cathedral in 1994, the only pro-cathedral outside Metro Manila.  It was renamed San Diego de Alcala Pro-Cathedral.

@ mirandablue

The Silay parish was established in 1776.  The first church was built with light materials of bamboo and nipa.  With natural calamities such as typhoons, and insurrection against the Spanish, I'm sure the first church was destroyed and reconstructed a number of times.  By 1841, the parish priest initiated construction of a more permanent structure made of stone and wood but it was never completed.  During the Spanish-American war, parts of the stone church were destroyed and was left in a state of disrepair.  The remnants of the old church are well-preserved behind this church.  I remember spending summer afternoons in the courtyard of the old church when I was kid.  My aunt was then living about half a block away.

@ mirandablue

In 1925, construction of a bigger church started after one of Silay's wealthy sugar barons, Don Jose Ledesma, donated a substantial amount to build it.  He even commissioned an Italian architect, Lucio Bernasconi, to design the church.  Bernasconi lifted inspirations from his native Italy and designed the church in the shape of a Latin cross like most ecclesiastical Romanesque architecture in Europe.  It has simple columns and a cupola rising 40 meters above the nave.  Being the only church in the province with a cupola makes San Diego de Alcala Pro-Cathedral unique.

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

I could still hear the echo of bells ringing at Angelus.  We were usually by the fountain at the plaza across the church, and every 6 pm, the bells rang as a call to prayer.  Then as dictated by tradition, children would then kiss the right hand of their elders.

@ mirandablue

The feast of San Diego de Alcala is celebrated every November 13th.

@ mirandablue

My contribution to My World-Tuesday

Santa Maria Church [My World Tuesday]

Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur is a historical landmark as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It stands on top of a hill and we climbed 82 steps to reach the church.  

My first visit to this church was more than a decade ago, but it's beauty has never stopped to amaze me.  This church is a great attraction to both the traveler and the faithful---I'm more of a traveler.  

Santa Maria Church is not only a reminder of the 377 334 years of Spanish colonization but it's a unique structure built on heavy stones and mortar.  It's not as flamboyant  in scale and less stunning in the facade but I like its simple design, the reddish brick exterior, and the fact that it was built on top of a hill--giving visitors a panoramic view of the town, the green fields and the blue sea in the horizon.

One of the old Baroque churches in the Philippines, the church in Santa Maria was built in 1765.  Thick buttresses were added to re-enforce the structure to protect it from earthquakes. 

There were two Requiem masses when we arrived.  We waited for the funeral march to begin before entering the church.  Santa Maria Church is one of the 8 pilgrimage churches in Ilocos Sur.  The town is about 360 kilometers north of Manila.

stairway to heaven-- 82 steps

my walk to the altar

the pulpit

side entrance of the church

moss-covered buttresses

a hexagonal bell tower, built in 1810

This post is linked to My World-Tuesday