Sunday, May 5, 2013

St. Clement Parish Church, Angono, Rizal

According to Philippine Mass Schedule, the St. Clement Parish Church in Angono, Rizal was founded in 1933. It is located at Doña Aurora Street, Barangay Poblacion Ibaba, Angono, Rizal. As of 2010, the Parish Priest is Father Rodney Cruz.

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Taken around 5:30 in the morning.

In an interview by Denise Alyanna Cruz to Father Rodney Cruz and 2 other resource people, the present day church was constructed since 1877. Prior to that, there was already a church at Biga, which was damaged by an earthquake in 1863. The people decided not to repair the church at Biga but instead, they focused on the cogon chapel at Ibaba. Here is the timeline of the construction of the present day Church of St. Clement:

  • 1865 – The residents began enlarging the cogon chapel at Ibaba.
  • 1877 -- Construction of the church at Ibaba began.
  • 1866 – The church was finished but it was made of light materials (Mulawin posts, cogon roof, and bamboo sidings)
  • 1881 -- An episcopal permit was issued to construct the church of its present-day material.
  • 1930 -- The bell tower was finished.
  • 1938 -- Another big copper bell was installed.
  • 1955 -- The window frames and panels, the bell tower, and the Convent were renovated.
  • 1952 – The Glorietta, where the statue of the “Christ the King” is located, was made.
  • 1967 – The Kindergarten School was added.

The Church of Angono was dedicated to Saint Clement of Rome (also known as Pope Clement I). He was the Catholic Pope from the year 92 to 99 and is considered as the first Apostolic Father of the Church and the 4th Pope after St. Peter, Linus, and Cletus (Anacletus).

In works of art, he can be recognized by having an anchor at his side. The Anchored Cross or Mariner's Cross is also referred to as St Clement's Cross, in reference to the way he was martyred. He was thrown to the sea tied on a Mariner’s Cross.

The people of Angono, being adjacent to Laguna de Bay (a lake), chose St. Clement to be their patron saint. In fact, November 23 is the feast day of St. Clement and it is also the town fiesta of Angono, Rizal.

My first visit to St. Clement Parish Church in Angono was December last year. I decided to have a tour of Taytay, Angono and Binangonan and take pictures of their parish churches. I was amazed by the sheer number of bas relief that lined up along Doña Aurora Street. I found out that day that Angono is the Art Capital of the Philippines and several National Artists came from this town. I would definitely visit Angono during their Town Fiesta.

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The Colegio de San Clemente on the side of the church.

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Some of the delicacies (rice products) that are sold outside the St. Clement Parish Church in Angono, Rizal.

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The Barangay Hall of Poblacion Ibaba, Angono, Rizal is adorned with magnificent bas relief.

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The famous work of Carlos V. Francisco – Si Andres Bonifacio at ang Katipunan. It was originally a painting which the people of Angono transformed into a bas relief.

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“Bayanihan” by Carlos V. Francisco, 1960.

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“Songs of the Brown Man”, “Juan Tamad”, “Si Malakas at si Maganda”.

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The street leading to St. Clement Parish Church in Angono, Rizal where you’ll find A LOT of bas relief.

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The statue of “Si Malakas at si Maganda” in front of the Angono Municipal Hall.

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The Angono Municipal Hall

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Angono, Rizal: Art Capital of the Philippines

For further reading about St. Clement Parish Church, you may visit these websites:

http://trooperssearch.wordpress.com/st-clement-parish/

http://angonorizal.weebly.com/saint-clement-parish.html

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