Today starts the Flag Days 2014. It will last until our Independence Day 2014 (June 12). I really thought that the Philippine Flag was first used during June 12, 1898 but according to the Official Gazette:
“116 years ago, on May 28, 1898, the Philippine flag was first unfurled in Alapan, Imus, Cavite”
Long live the Philippines! Mabuhay!
Picture taken from the Twitter page of the Official Gazette PH.
During the recent Holy Week 2014 celebration, I was able to do some Visita Iglesia (literally “Church Visits”) in the province of Cavite, south of Metropolitan Manila. I was able to visit the Imus Cathedral (Our Lady of the Pillar), Binakayan Church (Our Lady of Fatima Parish), Kawit Church (St. Mary Magdalene Church), Noveleta Church (Holy Cross Parish) and the Rosario Church (Most Holy Rosary Parish). I travelled to these churches by bus and jeepney.
What makes the St. Mary Magdalene Church of Kawit unique is the extensive use of bricks – both in the interior and exterior of the church. The church has 1 bell tower and massive buttresses on the sides of the side (for protection against earthquakes). I visited the church during Holy Week 2014 so most of the statues were covered in velvet curtains.
The marker on the church’s façade reads in Filipino:
Simbahan ng Kawit
Unang pinamahalaan ng mga paring Heswita, 1624. Ipinatayo ang unang simbahang yari sa kahoy, 1638 sa patronato ni Santa Maria Magdalena, sa tulong ng anim na pamilyang Pilipinong taga-Silang at Maragondong. Inilagay ang panulukang bato ng kasalukuyang simbahan, 1737. Winasak ng bagyo ang bubungan, 1831. Inilipat sa pangangasiwa ng mga paring Sekular, 1768 at mga paring Rekoletos, 1849. Sa simbahang ito, bininyagan noong 1869 ang pangulo ng Unang Republika ng Pilipinas, Heneral Emilio Aguinaldo. Inayos sa tulong ng iba’t-ibang samahang pan-relihiyon ng Kawit at ng iba pang mga butihing mamamayan ng Cavite, 1990.
It’s roughly translated as:
Church of Kawit
First managed by Jesuit Priests, 1624. The first church made up of wood was built in 1638 under the patronage of St. Mary Magdalene, with the help of six Filipino families from Silang and Maragondong. The corner stone of the present church was placed in 1737. The roof was destroyed by a typhoon in 1831. The management of the church was transferred to the Secular in 1768 and the Recoletos in 1849. In this church, the President of the First Philippine Republic, General Emilio Aguinaldo, was baptized. The church was restored in 1990 with the help of different religious organizations in Kawit and the good citizens of Cavite.
The feast day of St. Mary Magdalene is on July 22.
Wonderful stained glass adorned the church’s interior.
Interior of the St. Mary Magdalene Church in Kawit, Cavite.
Angels at the interior of the church looks very old.
Even the columns of the church is made up of bricks.
The bell tower of the St. Mary Magdalene Church has an octagonal roof.
A sorbetero (ice cream vendor) selling the popular ice cream in front of the St. Mary Magdalene Church of Kawit, Cavite.
The façade of the St. Mary Magdalene Church in Kawit, Cavite.
The marker of the St. Mary Magdalene Church, Kawit, Cavite. It was placed by the National Historical Institute.
The side entrance of the St. Mary Magdalene Church, Kawit, Cavite.
Monument of a Katipunero located besides the St. Mary Magdalene Church, Kawit, Cavite.
Catholic devotees praying at the Stations of the Cross located on the side of the church.
Buttresses were used on the sides of the church for protection against earthquakes. This is typical feature of Philippine Architecture.
From Wikipedia:
“The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila, within the boundaries of the former Fort William McKinley. It can be reached most easily from the city by taxi or automobile via Epifano de los Santos Ave. (EDSA) to McKinley Road, then to McKinley Parkway inside the Bonifacio Global City. The Nichols Field Road is the easiest access from Manila International Airport to the cemetery.
The cemetery, 152 acres (62 ha) or 615,000 square metres in area, is located on a prominent plateau, visible at a distance from the east, south and west. With a total of 17,206 graves, it has the largest number of graves of any cemetery for U.S. personnel killed during World War II and holds war dead from the Philippines and other allied nations. Many of the personnel whose remains are interred or represented were killed in New Guinea, or during the Battle of the Philippines (1941–42) or the Allied recapture of the islands. The headstones are made of marble which are aligned in eleven plots forming a generally circular pattern, set among a wide variety of tropical trees and shrubbery. The Memorial is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except December 25 and January 1.”
Last year, I was fortunate enough to visit this site located in Taguig City. It’s a solemn place to think about World War II and it’s aftermath, particularly here in the Philippines and South-East Asia. There is a shrine at the end of the memorial showing the list of American and Filipino soldiers who died during the war.
The shrine also displays the map of World War II in the Pacific. I hope that during the Memorial Day 2014 celebrations, Americans who are in the country would visit this sacred grounds. Memorial Day is a US holiday honoring Americans who died serving their country in military.
The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Bonifacio Global City has so many large trees like these. It’s definitely a nice place to relax and ponder about the past. I wonder if there is a celebration here during the Memorial Day 2014 event.
The graves of the fallen American and Filipino soldiers of World War II are marked by either a cross or a Magen David (for Jewish soldiers).
The Shrine at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. You’ll learn a lot about World War II from this building.
The names of the fallen American and Filipino soldiers are engraved in these walls at The Shrine.
Maps about the different campaigns during World War II are displayed on the walls of The Shrine.
The Shrine also acknowledges the fallen Philippine Scouts during World War II 1941-45.
The floor of The Shrine has all the Seals of the 50 States of the USA.
The maps of the World War II campaign are made up of mosaic. It’s very detailed and marvelous.
The details of the bas-relief of The Shrine at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in BGC Taguig City.
A lone tree stands amidst a filed of white crosses at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
White crosses at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City. I wonder if they’re going to place a small American flag in each of these crosses during Memorial Day 2014.
A marble cross for each heroes of World War II in South East Asia. Let’s remember the fallen Filipinos too during Memorial Day 2014.
The building near the entrance where visitors to The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial needs to register. I love the leaflet that they are giving away – it’s very informative.
Details of the Eagle-inspired grill of The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
View of The Shrine from the entrance of The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
