Church Visit: Mambusao's Vibrant Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church

 The St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church was built in 1606 and is one of the oldest surviving churches in the Philippines, originally built during the Spanish period. The church has recently gained international prominence for its restored façade and interior, not withstanding its impressive size and unique design. 

Known to the locals as the Mambusao Church, its walls are three meters thick and are made of coral, brick, and limestone. Its building is mostly in the Baroque style. On the other hand, the gable, doors, and inset windows on the outside have curled decorations that look like they were made by the Moors. It is thought that these accents were added to the original Baroque face during repairs and restorations that happened later. 

Mambusao Church's simple but colorful interiors have an ornate retablo with niches filled with saints that sits above the golden altar. The church was recently renovated. The sides of the altar are also adored with more saints. The church’s recent redevelopment was made possibly with the dedication of its parish priest, Fr. Jose Arturo Emilio Arbatin, who raised funds to make this project possible. 

The town of Mambusao celebrates the  yearly Inilusan Festival every November 25. The local parish takes an active part in celebrating this occasion which is celebrated in honor of St. Catherine of Alexandria, a 4th century princess who was converted to Christianity at age 14 and helped bring hundreds of people to faith. In the year 305, she was set on fire by Emperor Maxentius when she was 18 years old.  Inilusan comes from the phrase "sharing dishes with neighbors," a long-held tradition not only by the people of Mambusao, but practiced in Capiz in general, as a sign of goodwill and kindness.  

On November 21, 2023, through the petition of Fr. Arbatin and the parishioners, The St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church was declared an archdiocesan shrine by Capiz Archbishop Victor Bendico.

In Photo: Prewar Roxas City Cathedral

Here's a colorized photo of the old Immaculate Conception Cathedral, in Capiz (now Roxas City), Capiz before World War II. Photo from Philippines Magazine, Volume 1, no. 2 - February 1941.

The church, constructed in 1870s, was damaged by World War II and the Lady Caycay earthquake in 1948. Rebuilt in 1954.

Below is the photo in its original black-and-white. 

Remembering Lola

My grandmother, Lilian Yncong Lopez Acevedo. Here's a colorized version of her photograph, originally taken in 1949, when she was 20. Had she been alive today, she could have been 94. 

She told me a lot of stories when she was alive, remembering she would do so in the afternoons, after I woke up from the nap. She instilled in me the importance of taking the after-lunch lull.  

"You will not grow up if you don't take a nap."

"Don't dare go out in the midday (udtong adlaw), it's the encanto's witching hour!"

"If you don't take a bath and wash your hair, lice will nest on your head. When there's a lot of them on your hair, they will carry you and hang you on the bamboo!"

Oh, so many stories!  Some I remember, others I have to find time to remember again. But I admit I should write them or else I will forget them when my memory fades. 

Anyway, Happy birthday in heaven, Lola. By Christian George Acevedo, November 6, 2023.

Yolanda Recalled

Ten years ago....

I woke up with an unexplainable sense of anxiety. My grandfather was terribly ill. Just two nights before that, he was discharged from the hospital after his health condition worsened following the detection of his cancer in August of 2013. He went home on the night of my grandmother's 84th birthday. Nothing was worth celebrating that day. But Lola, herself frail, was happy to see her husband come home after a week’s stint in the hospital. 

We were all worried over my grandfather's condition. He would no longer walk without assistance. In a month's time, he could not even stand, and he lost his appetite. That day, not even the patotin that we asked Daging, our part-time helper, to cook would invite him to eat more. He had no energy to speak. He was irritable and just wanted to stay in bed. It was even difficult for him to get up and go to the toilet. I was not used to it. Not yet. The Lolo I was used to was energetic, one who would refuse to bow to physical challenges. Until a few days before he was hospitalized, he was still able to go to the market to buy what he wanted to eat. I find it totally strange. 

On Nov. 6 of 2013, it had all changed. Little did I know that his deterioration would be quick and uneasy. For him and for all of us. On November 7, the weather bureau reported that a strong typhoon would hit Capiz, Roxas, and the coastal areas in particular. Its path would pass by Samar, Leyte, Cebu, and our area. At first, I was like Dedma. It's just another storm. I've seen innumerable storms cross Roxas before. 

We’ve had Frank in 2008. They said the upcoming storm was Undang-like. I've always heard my grandmother tell me about how terrifying Undang was. 

"Do you see that house?" She would point out the house next to our neighbor's. 

"That's Amparing's house. Did you know that Undang plucked its entire roof?" 

Now, when reports began to circulate that it would be the strongest in history—stronger than Frank—I felt cold sweat begin to bead on my forehead as I realized that we’re in for more than just any other typhoon. It’s the strongest typhoon in the history of the Philippines. I heaved a sigh of fear. Ours is an old house that hasn't seen any major repairs for so long. 

I lived with two frail seniors. And my parents’ own house was also a wreck. It barely survived Frank in 2008, I knew it would no longer make it that time. The eve of Yolanda's arrival was the literal calm before the storm. There was an eerie silence in the neighborhood. It was a still, dark day. Work and class were suspended. Everyone was told to go home and prepare. I rushed to the grocery store and to the market to shop for supplies. Canned goods. Candle. Eggs. Anything that I could think of would last for days and sustain us in case the worst happened. I also had our water supply refilled. 

That night, rain started pouring, but it wasn't that strong. I told my parents to move in from their house to my grandparents’ in the morning, before the typhoon hits our area. In the morning, the wind started to blow stronger. We let our helper and her family into the house. My father, sister, and her two-year-old also arrived.

 "Where's mother?" I was frantic because the wind was already howling and the torrent got stronger. What if a strong wind suddenly hits our neighborhood and she gets trapped? She was busy packing her stuff. Oh, for the love of God. She wouldn't part with her stuff that easily! 

Finally, she arrived. When Yolanda made her destructive sweep, I was inside our midcentury house. With me were Lolo and Lola, my parents, my sister and her infant son, and our helper's family. I trembled. Now that Yolanda was hitting us relentlessly, the wind she carried roared. We were all helpless, but I managed to say the rosary as Yolanda’s gust entered through the creaking glass jalousie. The flame of the candles on the altar danced in the wind's direction. I took a deeper breath whenever the wind grew stronger and blew harder, like it was trying to lift our roof. It also lasted for seconds, but it felt like hours already. And then again, it blew harder. An hour or less, but it was like forever. As heaven poured stronger rain, our roof showed signs of nearly breaking down. Water gushed from the different corners of the roof. 

I checked on my grandparents room; luckily, it was the sturdiest part of the house. Lolo was deep in his sleep, but Lola was awake, sitting on her bed and also praying the rosary. It went on like that for a few more minutes. Time, though, seemed to have stretched. Around noontime, the tempest had passed and probably went on to wreak havoc in other towns. But for us, we were left wretched creatures as we were. A certain portion of the roof was damaged, and trees around us were felled. But, thank God, there was no major damage in the main house. 

My parents’ house survived no more. It was built of coconut lumber and designed in the bungalow style. They became a homeless couple and were left with no choice but to move in with my Lolo and Lola. For days, we had limited water supply; drinking water was scarce because purifying stations did not operate. For a month, we did not have electricity. 

I would also remember Yolanda as the start of a terrible year and a-half. In a month's time, my grandfather would be reduced to a vegetative state. In the middle of January 2014, he would die. His biggest consolation was that he died peacefully and was surrounded by his family. I can tell the story of how he died, but that's for another story. Six months later, my grandmother followed. She died of a broken heart, I would also tell people, two days after their 62nd wedding anniversary. 

Before she breathed her last, she told Daging, her loyal attendant who was beside her when she died, "Paano na si Toto?" She left on a gloomy day. I was in Iloilo, attempting to chase a dream in the DFA. Fate would step in, as always. A different dream would come true.

Now what about you? What memories do you have of Typhoon Yolanda? By Christian George Acevedo, November 8, 2023

The Masonic Cemetery of Capiz

Our last stop for this year’s cemetery tour is the Masonic Cemetery. Our street is just beside this cemetery, so our place is more popularly known as Mason, rather than its official name of Sitio Carmel.

The cemetery was constructed in the 1920s for the brothers of the Masonic Lodge. The January 23, 1928 issue of The Cabletow, the official organ of the Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines,  featured the cemetery on its cover page.

The article writes:

“Our Brethren of Makawiwili Lodge No. 55, of Capiz, on the island of Panay, believe in having a beautiful resting-place for their dead. Most Wor. Bro. Joseph H. Schmidt, our Grand Master, visited the Masonic cemetery at Capiz and was much impressed with it. As a souvenir of the occasion, the Capiz Brethren had a photograph taken of Most Wor. Bro. Schmidt at the entrance of the cemetery which we reproduce on our front page. The monumental gate, with the square and compass and the legend “Masonic Cemetery" gives an impression of strength, power, and dignity and the well-kept graves show that brotherly love does not stop with the breath of the body.

“Our Capiz Brethren are to be congratulated upon their cemetery and are sincerely hope that their example will be followed generally as our Lodges in the provinces grow and prosper.”

Dumalag's Circular Cemetery

How often do you visit a circular cemetery? Not that frequent, maybe. 

Just like Paco in Manila and Nagcarlan, Laguna, the town of Dumalag in Capiz boasts a rare Spanish-era cemetery designed and constructed in a circular form.

Called "Campo Santo" by the locals, the cemetery—like the nearby 19th century Catholic church— was constructed under the behest of Fr. Angel de Abasolo, an Agustinian priest who served the people of Dumalag from 1864 until 1879.

 The wall is made of limestone, with its façade topped with a triangular pediment with a bas relief of a skull and crossbones at the center and flanked by two columns. Sadly the beauty of the limestone was now covered by a coat of cement.

Lining the inner side  of the circular wall are niches where the bones of the departed are

deposited. A modern chapel stands at the center of the cemetery, while behind it, at the opposite end of the gate, is the ruins of the Spanish-era chapel. by Christian George F. Acevedo, November 31, 2023

Who's who of the Banica Cemetery?

The cemetery is a culture buff's park.  Searching for dead people's mausoleum, niches, and burial grounds makes historical research fun.

I live a few steps away from the Banica Cemetery and the Masonic Cemetery, hence our area - Sitio Carmel - is more popularly known as Mason.

If you are a heritage buff, the Banica Cemetery offers a plethora of sites to stuff your eyes and fill your imagination. Many personalities, to include local and national leaders, businessmen, and so on, are buried here.

This morning, I embarked once more on a tour of the cemetery and  photographed mausoleums, vaults and niches that interest me. Sadly, the oldest parts of the cemetery, which included the campo santo, Spanish walls, arches, and even the niches and mausoleums of old families, have significantly deteriorated.

Meet and Greet with Tan Emo at Panay's Catholic Cemetery

... And my cemetery visit this year continues at Panay Catholic Cemetery in the town of Panay, Capiz. This is another circular cemetery, with diameters of 70 cm and made of coral stones. Entering the arch, you will read this Spanish inscription, common among Spanish-era cemeteries, that reads:

"Remember, man, that you are dust and on Earth you have to return, then as you are I was, and as I am you have to be."

Standing opposite the arch is the ruins of the capilla, covered with makeshift roofing, for the sake, maybe, of the cemetery-goers. Compared to that of Roxas City's old campo santo, Panay's capilla is not overly crowded with niches. A human-size cross hangs on the wall and on the ground, the faithful place the candles that they lit for their dearly departed.

Recuerdo de Patay: Memory of the Dead

It was customary among Filipino families in the 19th and 20th centuries to capture images of the deceased. The photograph is called Recuerdo de Patay, or memento mori. This could be creepy but these heirloom shots of the dead family member  is the last memory one could have with the dearly departed before he or she is finally laid to rest.

In a blog post, Pinoy Kolektor explained that the "goal was to present the subject as if they were simply resting, with a peaceful and lifelike appearance." Looking at these photographs may not be comfortable, sometimes, it could be even scary, but  these memorabilia are important as  cultural and historical pieces. These also hold sentimental values to members of the family.

Here's my family's very own recuerdo de patay, taken at the funeral of my father's youngest sister, who died at the age of 2, some time in 1966.

Family lore says that Baby was bewitched (gin-aswang) by an old lady. My grandmother used to own a store along San Roque Street, and Baby would always be the apple of every passersby's eyes when they stop by at Lola's tiange to buy something. Mestiza and cute, they would adore her. One day, an old lady passed by and, just like everyone else, was enchanted by her cuteness. She patted Baby on her head and pinched her rosy cheeks and left.

That night, Baby got a fever and had convulsion and died in no time. According to my grandmother, she never looked dead even while in her coffin. She seemed like she was just deep in her slumber.

After the funeral, my grandparents could not move on. They consulted a cerujano (medicine man), who told my grandfather that Baby was not really dead.  Her soul was just spirited away by the witch, trapped in her house, so they better go to her hut in the middle of the kanipaan (nipa swampland). They had to do this before Baby's remains are stolen and exchanged for a banana stalk. Alas, they were too late.

When they arrived at the kanipaan, the  witch was not in her hut anymore. They hurried to the cemetery, unearthed the cadaver and found the body pale and lifeless. The witch had taken Baby away.

Creepy, right? So you may ask where is this photograph kept today? There, in the baol. Or else I'll scare off anyone who sees it hanging on the wall.

What about you? Do you still have heirloom photographs of your dead relatives? Share them in the comment box, together with their interesting story. by Christian George Acevedo, November 2, 2023

You might also want to read:

• Neglected Cemeteries are Heritage Sites, too 
• Who's Who of Banica Cemetery?
• Dumalag's Circular Cemetery
• Recuerdo de Patay: Memory of the Dead

 

 

 

Sunday Thoughts | No Need for Award

March 5, 2023 - I have a student assistant who happens to be a Maths wizard. He is a student leader, who does so well in his Engineering subjects, but I also worry that he might miss on his studies because he also works at the library during his vacant hours. 

"Are you sure you can manage all these?" I asked him when he showed me his schedule at the start of last semester. He is also an officer in the Student Council and is active in extra curricular activities.

 I know how it feels, running after to get good grades, joining the student org, editing the college paper, competing is extra curriculars,  while earning my keep as a student assistant. Been there,done that. But he is an Engineering student! I have friends who cheered when their professors gave them  3.00 for a grade, but this boy, he gets 1.75, no less. 

"Show me your grades at the end of the semester. If you manage to maintain your grades, I will keep you at work. If not, I don't want this work to get in between you and your dreams."

He nodded. Probably he took my challenge. Just the other day, he went to my office. 

"Sir, here's my grade!" He sounded proud. 

"Why do you have to show me your grades?" I was deep in my writing for a report, so I totally forgot about what I told him a few months ago.  I seem to have a bout with short term memory loss lately! 

"You asked me to show you my grades, right? So, here they are." He handed me a print out of his grades. Impressive! He got 1.25 for the highest grade, 1.75 for the lowest. Again, this is an Engineering student. 

"Oh, my. Your college should award you with Latin honors when you graduate." I told him. I am very proud at how my past student assistants have become, by the way. 

But it turned out he could not be because he has a grade of 2.0. In a minor subject! He doesn't sound disappointed, though. He was proud he got straight 1's in all major subjects. 

"Never mind," I told him. " just top the board exam!"

"That's the goal!" He replied. 

My student assistant's case is just one of the many I've heard about deserving students who missed the chance to get the recognition. And then there are those who got the top honors but with dubious claim to fame.

Three years ago, I wrote this essay and I think it  is worth sharing because I think this relates to this Sunday's story and I know you will also relate...

JUST MY OPINION...

I always have my second thoughts when I come across a  "Search for Outstanding..." In this field and that. More often than not, it is a search for documents in the drawer or the file folder. Or search for someone else's certificate to be PhotoShopped so it bears someone else's so the other gets the points to score the award.

  I don't generalize, i'm just stating my opinion. 

I'd like to look at it in a bigger perspective. Then there is also this instance: When you know someone is looking at you, of course, you will do your best. And then, you slack back to your old, usual self when the jury has gone and the plaque has been handed over. 

For me, though, more outstanding are those who keep doing what is right and keep giving their best even if no one is looking at them. 

I hope we have this mindset. We do things because it is right, because it benefits many and it is towards the common good. We help not even if no medal of Valor awaits us, because we feel the inner joy in doing random acts of kindness. 

For every student who won't ever be a cum laude because he got a grade of 2.0 in one subject, dont worry...

For every  quiet employee who discreetly toils, don't worry...

For every individual who helps others in need without ever making their identity known, don't worry...

For every wind beneath some else's wings, don't worry...

For every secret Santa or Fairy Godparent who lurks at the background or hides in the shadow while quietly helping someone reach for his or her dream, don't worry...

 It is good to be feted by others, but if you know you are doing  the right thing - and you're doing it right, BTW -  you won't ever have to depend on  anyone for confirmation or affirmation because you know you have done a good job.

That's not outstanding.

 That's not even excellent. 

That's larger than life!

***

Sunday Thoughts is my weekend series where I write about my thoughts for the week that was and what transpired in life. Read more about my Sunday Thoughts via #ChristiansSundayThoughts or visit my blog http://ChristianGeorgeAcevedo.blogspot.com for more stories.