Saint Joseph Cathedral, Las Piñas

I visited the Church of Saint Joseph in Las Piñas several times from 2001-2005. At that time, I was working as assistant to the site supervisor in our project in Bacoor, Cavite. It’s the town next to Las Piñas if you’re going to Cavite province.

I recently went back to Saint Joseph Cathedral to take pictures of the church, which is famous for the Bamboo Organ. There are several markers on the façade of the church which briefly states its history. There is also a statue dedicated to the founder of this church, Padre Diego Cera. The statue was made by the late National Artist Napoleon Abueva.

Simbahan ng Las Piñas

Itinatag bilang Pueblo, 1762. Inihiwalay sa Parokya ng Parañaque, 1775. Itinalagang unang naninirahang kura paroko si P. Diego Cera dela Virgen del Carmen, Disyembre 26, 1795. Ipinatayo niya ang simbahang bato, 1797-1819 at ang organong yari sa 902 tubong kawayan at 129 tubong lata, 1816-1824. Bahagyang nasira ng lindol, 1828 at 1863. Dahil sa magkakasunod na paglindol noong 1880, ito ay hindi na pinagdausan ng misa. Ipinakumpuni noong 1883 subalit hindi ito ganap na naisaayos. Ginamit na kampo ng mga bihag noong panahon ng pananakop ng mga Hapon at bilang pagamutan noong Liberasyon. Ibinalik sa dating kaayusan sa pamamagitan ng magkasamang pagpupunyagi ng Parish Community at ng Historical Conservation Society, 1962-1977.

(Church of Las Piñas

Established as a Pueblo, 1762. Seperated from Parañaque Parish, 1775. Father Diego Cera dela Virgen del Carmen was assigned as the first resident parish priest, December 26, 1795. He commissioned the building of the stone church in 1797-1819 and the (bamboo) organ, which is build from 902 bamboo tubes and 129 tin tubes, from 1816-1824. Slightly damaged by an earthquake in 1828 and 1863. Due to a series of earthquakes in 1880, masses where never celebrated in this church. It was repaired in 1883 but was not completely restored. (This church) was used as a camp for prisoners of war during the Japanese Occupation and as a hospital during the Liberation. It was restored to the old design/condition through the efforts of the Parish Community and the Historical Conservation Society, 1962-1977)

Simbahan ng Parokya ng San Jose, Las Piñas

Ipinahayag bilang pambansang palatandaang pangkasaysayan sa bisa ng Resolusyon Blg. 08 ng Pambansang Komisyong Pangkasaysayan ng Pilipinas, 15 Hulyo 2013.

(Parish Church of Saint Joseph, Las Piñas

Declared as a National Historical Marker/Treasure by virtue of Resolution Number 08 by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, July 15, 2013)

Padre Diego Cera

Born in Graus, Spain on July 26, 1762

Died in Manila on June 24, 1832

Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Parish in Las Piñas, 1795-1832

Builder of the Bamboo Organ, the Las Piñas Church and the Zapote and Pulanglupa bridges

This statue was made by National Artist Napoleon Abueva and inaugurated on July 27, 1995 on the occasion of the 200^th anniversary of the Parish of St. Joseph.

This is the community’s tribute to Padre Diego Cera and our forefathers for their heritage. May it also serve as a reminder that we are called to work for the realization of our vision to become a communion of communities.

Technorati Tags: Saint Joseph Church Las Piñas,Padre Diego Cera

Saint Andrew Cathedral, Paranaque

I visited the Church of Parañaque a few months ago as part of my passion to visit (and take pictures) of the different Roman Catholic Churches in the Philippines, preferably those that are more than 50 years old (heritage). I also tend to visit the oldest church of a town that is usually located in the Poblacion or town proper. The oldest one I could find in Parañaque is the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.

There are several markets on the façade of Saint Andrew Cathedral:

Church of Parañaque

The first Catholic Missionary of Parañaque was the Rev. Diego de Espinal, O.S.A., companion of Salcedo in the reconnaissance of Camarines. The veneration for Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso at Paranaque dates from 1625. The church and the convent were built by the Rev. Dionisio Suarez, O.S.A., parish priest from 1638 to 1650. This church was administered by the eminent historian, the Rev. Joaquin Martinez de Zuñiga, O.S.A., from 1801 to 1806. Paranaque is the birthplace of the Filipino botanist, the Rev. Ignacio Mercado, O.S.A.

1939

The Cathedral of St. Andrew

On December 7, 2002 His Holiness Pope John Paul II created the Diocese of Parañaque from the southernmost parishes of the Archdiocese of Manila. St Andrew’s Church, the oldest church in the diocese, was chosen as the seat of the bishop. Dedication of the cathedral took place on January 25, 2003. The first bishop of Parañaque, Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. was installed on January 28. 2003. Rev. Msgr. Manuel G. Gabriel, rector and parish priest spearheaded the renovation of the cathedral from 2009-2010. On the occasion of the 430^th Founding Anniversary of the parish of St. Andrew, the renovated cathedral was blessed on May 22, 2010.

2011

Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora Del Buen Suceso

Recognizing the deep and loving devotion of the People of Parañaque particularly the Christian communities of La Huerta, San Dionisio, San Antonio Tramo and Don Galo for the Blessed Virgin Mary since her image was enthroned in this Church on August 10, 1625, the St. Andrew’s Parish Church, while being the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle Protokletos has been constituted and declared Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso by his Excellency, Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Parañaque on the 10^th day of August in the year of our Lord, 2012.

As Diocesan Shrine, this Church will be pilgrimage site for devotees desiring to invoke the name of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso (Our Lady of Good Events) and ask for her intercession. Plenary indulgence for pilgrims is granted under the following condition: Reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation, Worthy reception of Communion and Prayers offered for the intentions of the Holy Father.

May those who visit this Shrine pray for unity of Christ’s Holy Church; grow deeply in faith through Mary’s Fiat who is “full of grace”, obedient and Faithful to God’s will, and may follow Christ as his faithful disciples.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

There is also a market for Padre Pedro Dandan y Masangkay

Pari ng mga naghihimagsik at isa sa mga kampeon sa Pilipinismo. Isinilang sa Palanyag, Rizal (ngayo’s Parañaque, Metro Manila). Kagawad ng Orden ng mga Sekular. Nasangkot sa Cavity Mutiny kasama nina Padre Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomes, Jacinto Zamora at iba pa noong Enero 20, 1872. Ipinatapon sa Pulo ng Marianas lulan ng Flores de Maria, Marso 14, 1872. Bumalik sa Pilipinas at nagging pangalawang Punong Kantor (kinatawan ng Punong Kantor) prebendado at coadjutor ng Arsobispo sa Katedral ng Maynila, 1895-1896. Sumapi sa pangkat ni Hen. Licerio Geronimo sa Bundok Puray, Montalban. Nahalal na pangulo sa kapulungan ng pamahalaang pangkagawaran ng Gitnang Luson. Sumapi rin sa pangkat ni Hen. Emiliano Riego de Dios at Hen. Crispulo Aguinaldo. Namatay noong 1897.

Let me try to roughly translate it in English for our foreign readers:

Father Pedro Dandan y Masangkay

Priest of the revolutionists and one of the champions of Filipinism. Born in Palanyag, Rizal (now Parañaque, Metro Manila). Councilor of the Order of the Seculars. Involved in the Cavite Mutiny along with Fathers Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomes, Jacinto Zamora and others on January 20, 1872. He was exiled in the Marianas Island aboard the Flores de Maria in March 14, 1872. He returned to the Philippines and became the Second Chief Kantor (representative of the Chief Kantor) Prebendado and Coadjutor of the Archbishop in the Manila Cathedral, 1895-1896. He joined the group of Gen. Licerio Geronimo in Puray Mountain, Montalban. Elected President of the Convention of Local (or State) Department in Central Luzon. He also joined the group of Gen. Emiliano Riego de Dios and Gen. Crispulo Aguinaldo. Died in 1897.

Technorati Tags: St Andrew Cathedral,Parañaque