This was one of the first quasi-parishes that I became aware of many years ago, even before the term “quasi-parish” came into popular usage. Subsequent snooping around reveals that this quasi-parish was established in 1992, as stated on this very informative plaque on the façade.
Today it is apparently a thriving parish community, with a comfortable constituency that has managed to endow their church quite generously. The current structure was completed in 2003, as evidenced by another commemorative plaque on the façade.
The façade as a whole is respectably grand for a provincial parish
with double bell towers
and a Romanesque main doorway
Two niches flanking the portal hold large, slightly larger-than-life-sized images of Saint Peter
and Paul
both garbed in unusual (for the Philippines) tela encolada, or real fabric stiffened with paint and other substances in order to protect them from the elements.
The left side of the church is arcaded in sliding iron grille gates (locked shut, hence these potential trespassers have to make do with peeping).
Right inside the church, to the right of the main door as one enters, is the rather ornate confession box. I guess the white door is for the priest, and the brown door is for worthless sinners like me.
To the left of the entrance is a small room holding a number of religious images. Inside this “Hall of Saints” are the Virgin and Child, presumably in one version of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
another Marian image, perhaps a Virgen Alegria?
the standard of the local chapter of the Legion of Mary, flanked by small Marian images
and a pair of wall-mounted praying angels.
The church’s sanctuary is a grand gold-leafed affair, as seen in this long shot.
The left-side altar is dedicated to San Lorenzo Ruiz
Immediately below the image is a painted low-relief, again featuring Saint Lorenzo Ruiz
The right side altar is dedicated to Santa Maria Magdalena (or so I surmise).
with the expected painted low-relief in the panel below.
The main altar is obviously dedicated to the Patroness, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who is not short-changed on the gold leafing that surrounds her
Flanking her are four painted panels depicting not only more Marian scenes
look up slightly to appreciate the trayed and gilded ceiling
crane our necks even more to appreciate the geometry better
and take a look at the great dome, which still awaits some inspiring design, or a generous donor, or both.
We take a final shot of the rear of the nave
and prepare to leave for our next stop.
The next town, just a few meters away, is San Rafael, which we’ve already met up with previously. (See Holy Week in Bayan, San Rafael, Bulacan and Holy Week in Caingin, San Rafael, Bulacan.) I had not explored the Caingin Parish Church in a long time, and most of my companions had never been there before, so we figured that it was a good place to go to next.
As previously narrated, Caingin had an old bisita, which was subsequently enlarged when the large barrio became a quasi-parish, and subsequently a parish. Possibly the greatest physical upgrading and enlargement took place in 1995, as evidenced by the straight-talking brass marker on the façade.
The church’s altar and retablo are a rather gaudy (for my taste) ensemble of varnished and gold-leafed wood.
In the middle niche is the patron, the Mahal na Señor Santo Cristo a.k.a. the Crucified Christ, reputedly a miraculous 18th-century or older image.
In the left-side niche is the Virgen Dolorosa
and on the right, Saint John the Apostle.
To one side is the parish’s processional image of the Nazareno,
and towards the rear of the nave are a broad-shouldered but anonymous Angel or Archangel
and a replica of the Santo Cristo.
To one side of the nave is a well-stocked, maybe even cluttered, small hall of saints – actually more like a santo storage room. Among its many residents
were a brightly-dressed Our Lady of La Salette
San Martin de Porres
and Saint Joseph with the Child Jesus.
There was also a large processional image of an unidentified Holy Woman
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Our Lady of Lourdes flanked by Saint Bernadette Soubirous
Saint John Mary Vianney
and last but definitely not the least, a fair-looking ivory-finished image of the Virgin and Child.
We stop to catch our breath after that Santos overload, and before proceeding to our next, actually last, destination.
Our final destination on this impromptu religious tour is in fact not a church, but the private home of one of the friends of one of our accomplices, back in the town of Baliwag. We chose this place to end our itinerary because we were assured that the home owner was friendly and hospitable (good); the images, though few, will be of somewhat better-than-average quality (better); and that refreshments would be offered (the best reason ever!).
After partaking of the victuals served (consisting of the famous Baliwag egg pandesal, and vanilla-tinged sago’t gulaman) that definitely did not disappoint, we turned to another corner of the owner’s living room to appreciate their images of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and the Holy Infant
By this time, it is close to 5 pm on a Sunday, so we say our good-byes to the gracious host to allow him to enjoy the last few hours of his weekend. This also allows us to make our way to our respective homes and plan the next off-season Visita Iglesia. Some day, we’ll do it again.
Originally published on 16 July 2008. All text and photos copyright ©2008 by Leo D Cloma. The moral right of Leo D Cloma to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted.
Original comments:
Original comments:
arcastro57 wrote on Jul 17, '08
Looks very well-maintained than most churches I've visited. I thought that Magdalena was a Sta. Helena. The ceiling treatment is simple but elegant. The 'stiffened drapes' of santos seem to be gaining favor. Many new images of San Luis Church in Pampanga, are vested this way.
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jvlian wrote on Jul 17, '08
hmm.. Sta. Elena yata yun... (pero damit ng Magdalena ang ipinasuot...(?)
at almost 1 year na pala ang nakalipas huh. :D |
friendsofsanroque wrote on Jul 18, '08, edited on Jul 18, '08
another Marian image, perhaps a Virgen Alegria?
-- hmm.. i think thats a Makinin Version of Our Lady of Lourdes Nice, Thanks for sharing |
adlailara wrote on Jul 18, '08
Thanks for sharing, Leo!
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antigualla wrote on Oct 19, '10
Leo, that saint on the other side is definitely Santa Elena, not Santa Magdalena.
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