Friday, April 25, 2014

Visita Iglesia 2014: Part 5 of 5


OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL SHRINE


The construction in 1954 of the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel began at the same time the Order of Discalced Carmelites was founded in the Archdiocese of Manila.  A piece of property along Broadway street was acquired to start the difficult task of building not only a religiuos house for the Carmelite Irish Friars, but also a shrine in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  On December 31, 1954, the cornerstone of the church was blessed by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Phlippines, Archbishop Egidio Vanozzi. 


Ten years later , the Shrine of Mary was inaugurated on the feast of Mt. Carmel, with Rufino Cardinal Santos as main celebrant. In 1975, after a lot of improvements and developments in religious activities and active participation of the faithful in the community, the Mt. Carmel Shrine was eleveated to a parish church, and Fr. Paul O’Sullivan was appointed Parish priest. He was installed by the Auxiliary bishop of Manila, the Most Reverend Juan Velasco O.P. One of the parish priests of Mt. Carmel Shrine – Parish became the present Rolando Tirona of the Prelature of Infanta. On July 6, 2000 the Mt. Carmel Shrine celebrated its silver anniversary as a Parish.

facts gathered online


ST. JOSEPH'S CONVENT
OF PERPETUAL ADORATION

In November of 1960 then Cardinal Rufino J. Santos of Manila, the first Filipino Cardinal, visited the Blessed Sacrament Convent in Baguio, the home of the Pink Sisters. As he was being led through the cloister to the room where he would meet the entire community, he passed by the courtyard in which an imposing statue of St. Joseph stands. His eminence stopped and suggested that sisters should consider opening an adoration chapel and convent in Manila. In 1962 a very appealing piece of property was selected in Quezon City, a residential suburb of Manila. The Cardinal joyfully blessed the building site and laid the cornersone in May 1964. After that the construction progressed rapidly . On the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 1965, the first mass was celebrated in a temporary chapel and a small community of sisters moved into the new convent building.  Even before the convent was finished, young women had already been applying for entrance with eagerness to leave all in order to follow Christ in the cloistered contemplative life.  One year later the spacious chapel was completed and dedicated. The dream eventually became a reality in 1965 and the place was named St. Joseph's Adoration Chapel and Convent.


St. Joseph’s Adoration Chapel has become a significant center of eucharistic devotion for the capital of the Philippines.  Members of the vibrant League of Adorers take turns in joining the Sisters in adoration.  An annual Eucharistic Congress and the monthly Holy Hour draw large crowds, so that the already roomy chapel is filled to overflowing and part of the crowd takes part with the help of outside loudspeakers.  God has abundantly blessed the trustful courage with which the superiors of our Congregation overcame their first doubts as to the feasibility of founding in Manila.  All praise and honor to Him!

source: http://www.generalatesspsap.com/convents/09manila.htm


CHRIST THE KING MISSION SEMINARY

The shrine is within the compound of the Christ the King Mission Seminary in Quezon City. The Christ the King Mission Seminary is a Roman Catholic seminary in Quezon City, Philippines run by the Divine Word Missionaries, more popularly known as the "Society of the Divine Word" (SVD).



According to the blog about Philippine Churches, If you are into some kind of a retreat or you just want a little peace, this is the place to be. You can enjoy the tranquillity of the place despite of its actual location which is beside a highway.  Within the compound, you would see the SVD Mission Seminary Foundation Inc., the grotto, Divine Word Shrine, Arnoldus Cemetery, an adoration chapel, a canteen, a basketball court, and a lot more. You have to see it for yourself. Religious articles, books, and church goods are available in the bookstore beside the canteen. On your way to the Grotto and the Cemetery make sure to catch the school of brightly-colored Koi fish, the century-old trees, the well-designed landscape, and the mini-amphitheater.  


gathered from an online blog


SACRED HEART OF JESUS PARISH

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish - Kamuning is a Catholic parish in the Kamuning District of Quezon City in the Philippines. It was established on October 3, 1941. The parish has been in the pastoral care and administration of the Society of the Divine Word since even before its founding. Kamuning was a government housing project of then Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel Luis Quezon. Kamuning was known then as Barrio Obrero II.


Kamuning, formerly known as Barrio Obrero II, was a housing project site for government employees and their families. Late in 1939, the Kamuning Residents' Association sought pastoral care from the Society of the Divine World (SVD). The First Mass was celebrated where the Kamuning Public Market now stands, on that year's Christmas Eve. In the early 1940s, the parish boundaries reached as far east toward Loyola Heights and westward up to the Mabuhay Rotonda. About a year later, on October 1, 1941, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish was established, and it has been in the care of the SVD missionaries since then. Today, the parish covers five barangays – Kamuning, Sacred Heart, South Triangle, Kristong Hari, Kalusugan, and part of Obrero. According to Philippines 2000 Census, the parish jurisdiction has a resident population of 43,074 people.

facts gathered online

Thursday, April 24, 2014

VISITA IGLESIA 2014: Part 4 of 5





SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH

Oldest stone church in the Philippines. Plans were approved in 1586, construction started in 1587 and completed in 1607 under the supervision successively of Augustinian Fathers Francisco de Bustos. Ildefonso Perez, Diego de Avila and Brother Alonso de Perea. It’s Architect was Juan Macias. It has withstood many earthquakes from 1645 up to the presenta na survived the British invasion in 1762.  The Spanish-American war in 1898 and the Japanese invasion in 1942.  The church choir has 68 carved molave sears with narra inlaids. An artistic lectern and parchment cantorials of the 17th and 18th centuries.  



The church and its graves were profaned during the british occupation of Manila in 1762. The ashes of early spanish conquistadores Legazpi, Salcedo, Laverzares and Blessed Pedro de Zuniga and others now rest in the eastrenmost champel of the transept. Terms for the american occupation of Manila were prepared in the vestry of the church in 1898. The first Philippine Plenary council was held here in 1953. Chosen as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1993.

from the church stone marker



ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL OF MANILA

First Cathedral built in 1581. Damaged by a typhoon in 1582 and destroyed by fire in 1583.  Second cathedral build of stone in 1592 and partiualy destroyed by earthquake in 1600. Third cathedral build in 1614 and destroyed by the earthquake of 1645.  Fourth Cathedral magnificicently built in 1654 – 1671 by Archbishop Miguel Poblete and destroyed by the earthquake of June 3, 1863.  Fifth cathedral built in 1870 – 1879 under architects Luciano Oliver. Vicente Serrano Salaverria and Educardo Lopez Navarro and solemly blessed in December 1879. The center of the cross on the dome is a reference point of astronomical longtitudes of the Archipelago.  Destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945. Seventh Cathedral reconstructed , 1945 – 1958, under the direction of Archbishop Rufino J. Santos of Manila mainly with the support of the people. Fernando Ocampo was the Architect.





Sunday, April 20, 2014

VISITA IGLESIA 2014: Part 3 of 5


MINOR BASILICA OF ST. LORENZO RUIZ
BINONDO CHURCH
Binondo Church, also known as Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Our Lady of the most holy Rosary Parish , is located in the District of Binondo, Manila  fronting Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz. This church was founded by Dominican priests in 1596 to serve their Chinese converts to Christianity.  The original building was destroyed in 1762 by British bombardment. A new granite church was completed on the same site in 1852 however it was greatly damaged during the Second World War, with only the western facade and the octagonal bell tower surviving.
San Lorenzo, who was born of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother, trained in this church and afterwards went as a missionary to Japan and was executed there for refusing to renounce his religion. San Lorenzo Ruiz was to be the Philippines' first saint and he was canonized in 1987. A large statue of the martyr stands in front of the church.
Masses are held in Filipino, in Chinese dialects (Mandarin, Hokkien), and in English.
Even before the arrival of the Spanish to the Philippines there was already a community of Chinese traders living in Manila. The population of Chinese traders increased with the advent of Spanish colonization of the Philippines, due to increased trade between the islands.The upsurge in their population prompted the Catholic Missionaries to manage the conversion of the Chinese population to the Christian faith.




In 1596, Dominican priests founded Binondo church to serve their Chinese converts to Christianity as well as to the native Filipinos.
The original structure has sustained damages during wars and various natural disasters. The current granite church was completed on the same site in 1852 and features an octagonal bell tower which suggests the Chinese culture of the parishioners. The church was burned during the British invasion of 1872. Another one was quickly built following the occupation. Improvements were made in the 18th century but the edifice was again destroyed in the 1863 earthquake. It was rebuilt in the grandeur the remains on which we see today. Before the war, it was considered as one of the most beautiful churches in the country. Its bell tower was composed of five stories, octagonal in shape. At its top was a mirador (viewing window). This roof was destroyed during the 1863 earthquake.
American bombing on September 22, 1944 destroyed the structure. Everything including the archives of the parish were burned. Nothing was left behind except the stone walls of the church and the fire-tiered octagonal belltower. After the war, Binondo parishioners had to make do with a roofless church for several years until it was rebuilt in the 1950s.
The present church and convent was renovated between 1946 and 1971.

source: wikipedia



This church was built and administered by the Jesuits up to 1768.  Adjoining was the Jesuit College of San Ildefonso, founded by Governor Alfonso Fajardo dela Tenza on Jan 9, 1724.  The titular patroness of the church is Nuestra Señora del Pilar, whose statue was  brought from Spain prior to 1765. The confraternity of Nuestra Señora del Pilar was canonically founded in this church in 1743. On the surrounding plaza the british returned the city of Manila to Simon de Anda Y Salazar in 1764.

 This is the written on a stone marker in front of the Church.



VISITA IGLESIA 2014: Part 2 of 5


BASILICA MINORE DE SAN SEBASTIAN
(SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH)

Basilica Minor de San Sebastian better known as the San Sebastian Church is a Roman Catholic Basilica in Metro Manila. It is the seat of the Parish of San Sebastian and the National Shrine of our Lady of Mount Carmel.  Designed by Genabo Palacios, the structural metal of which is uniquely built was manufactured in Belgium and erected here by the Belgian Engineers. The church was solemly blessed August 16, 1891. Earlier churches built on this site  by Recollect friars since 1611  were destroyed by earthquake in 1859, 1863, and 1880.


Completed in 1891, the San Sebastian Church is noted for its architectural features. An example of the revival of Gothic - Architecture in the Philippines, it is the only all-steel church or Basilica in Asia and claimed as the only pre-fabricated steel church in the world. It was designated as a National Heritage landmark by the Philippine Government in 1973.  In 2006, San Sebastian Church was included in the tentative list for possible designation as a World Heritage site.   San Sebastian Church is under the care of the Order of Augustinian Recollects who also operate a college adjacent to the Basilica.

Source from Wikipedia





ST. MICHAEL AND THE ARCHANGELS


Also called Villa de San Miguel Church and Malacañang Chruch (due to its proximity to the Palace), the Shrine was first built in the 1630s as an ex-voto by a Spanish Governor-General who miraculously escaped death while on a military campaign. This church also once ministered to Japanese Christians fleeing persecution by the Tokugawa Shogunate, and since many of the exiles had belonged to the Samurai class, the church was dedicated to Saint Michael (who is a heavenly general and angelic warrior). Saint Michael's acquired its presidential association when several Presidents began frequently worshipping there, most notably President Carlos P. García and his consort, First Lady Leonila. 





St. Michael's today is more popular with betrothed couples, as Shrine priests are authorized by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila to bestow the Sacraments of Confirmation and, if necessary, Baptism.  This pre-wedding requirement of the Catholic Church is performed on baptized faithful in an hour-long service the same day it is requested.



Built by the Jesuits and the first Church that was made of stone near the Tripa de Gallina in 1603.  Became a parish church in 1611. This was the center of the Japanese mission in 1615. The administration of the church was then given to secular priests in 1768.  The church was then transferred to where it is  now and under the Parish of Quiapo in 1783. It was then returned to the Franciscan order in 1797. It was then administered by Secular Priests in 1899.  The present church was built in 1913 and was chosen as Pro - Cathedral by Manila from 1946 – 1958.  Was made as the National Altar of St. Michael and the Archangels in 1986.

Lifted from the Church marker

Saturday, April 19, 2014

VISITA IGLESIA 2014 - Part 1 of 5


SANTO DOMINGO CHURCH

This year’s  Visita Iglesia is the first time that some of my friends joined me. Besides having my sister Elaiza, and her sons Joshua and Marc and my other nephew Matthew join us,  my friends RJ Marasigan, Krisvi Barrios and Ian Songco joined us for our visita Iglesia this year.  Having done this thing the past three years, I think I became wiser in chosing the day and the routes to take to be able to finish the 14 Churches by dinner time. Here are the churches we went to and some things about the church which I looked up either in the net or through the markers found in the churches.

The church of Sto Domingo was formerly made of wood which was made by the Dominicans with the help of Bishop Domingo de Salazar OP in Intramuros, Manila in Jan 1, 1588.  The church was left to ruins in 1589, eventually built again but this time in stone together with the convention of Father Alonso Jimenez O.P in  1592. An altar was made on the miraclous Our Lady of the Rosary because on the occassion of the Battle of La Naval in 1593. 





There was a fire that destroyed the church once again in 1603 and was rebuilt in 1613. It was then slightly destroyed by an earthquake in 1645 but was renovated that same year.  Another earthquake destroyed it again in 1863 and was rebuilt by reknowned neo-gothic architect Felix Roxas in 1867. The last time it was destroyed was when the Japanese bombed Manila in 1941. It was eventually transferred to where it is now and the the first stone was laid in 1952. It was inaugurated by Rufino Cardinal Santos in 1954  and was declared National Shrine of our Lady of the Holy Rosary of the same year. 

Translated Filipino Marker 



OUR LADY OF LORETO CHURCH

 This site was donated  to the Franciscans in 1613 by Pedro de Chaves.  First chapel built in honor of our lady of Loreto in 1613 and set on fire in the chinese uprising in 1639. 



Second chapel built under the supervision of Andres de Puertellano O.F.M. Present church built in 1666 under  the direction of the Francisco de Santa Catalina O.F.M. Associated with the convent of Sampaloc . There functioned here from 1692 to 1808 one of the best printing presses in Manila.

From a 1935 building marker 




SAINT ANTHONY SHRINE

Saint Anthony’s feast is celebrated every June 13. He is well-known as the saint from Padua, in honor of the city he loved, where he spent most of his final days  and where his remains  are buried and his incorrupt tongue venerated.  IN the Philippines the devotion to St. Anthony dates back to the arrival of the Franciscans in July 2,1578.  Since then, it would be exceptional for a church to be without a statue or image of the famous miracle –worker. 
The present St. Anthony Shrine in Sampaloc Manila was build in 1947 through the efforts of Fr. Mariano Montero OFM, where the devotion to ST. Antony in Intramuros Manila was transferred. Originally, in this same location a chapel was constructed in 1794 for the use of the Secular Franciscans under our lady of the Piligrims statue. ( A statue now enshrined at the right side of the shrine santuary.)

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Estrella de Mendoza, San Juan Batangas


Located at San Juan Batangas, Estrella de Mendoza is the STI Education Services Group's destination for the 2014 summer outing which is usually Holy Monday to Wednesday during Holy week.



Here is a panoramic view of the pool and the beach. Most of my officemates also enjoyed the free banana boat ride given by the resort.



The group was treated to sumptuous meals 
and great accommodation.I particularly liked 
the second night dinner at the beach front. Eating Chicken BBQ is my kind of meal.



The pool was so inviting and big that even a company outing like ours will have ample time to swim and relax.


YES you can also have a chance to get Henna Tatoo and other things available within the beach.



Volleyball has been gaining ground in the country and beach volleyball is also a fun way to have in the afternoon if the tides are low.



One of the best areas to take a picture is at the beach front with the hotel clearly visible at the back.


Jump shots are always the best pictures to get while on the beach.




Sunday, April 6, 2014

Be Your BEST SELF!


This is the television commercial of 
STI College for this year!
Way to go guys!