Religion (14)
Religious Trivias about cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as personal faith and religious experience.
Adventism came into the Philippine shore in 1905. In August of that year, while in Singapore, Robert A. Caldwell, a literature evangelist missionary, received a call from the Adventist world church headquarters in Maryland to go to the Philippines. He arrived on the same month in Manila. As his ship entered Manila Bay, he fixed his eyes for the first time on the great walled city with its teeming population. Seeing this, he was greatly moved and said, "I will sprinkle books and then like yeast they will begin to work." This was the first ink mark of a tremendous story that is still being written in the lives of men and women in the Philippines. This was the beginning of Adventism in the islands of the Philippines. The work started in Manila with the unselfish efforts of the first foreign missionaries.
In 1906 the McElhanys and the Finsters actively continued the work in winning people for the Master in the Philippines. As fruit of their labors. Central Luzon Mission was organized to facilitate the gospel work among Filipinos in 1908. Hard work and dedicated ministry was considered worthwhile when on March 11,1911, the first Adventist Church in the Philippines was established at Sta. Ana, Manila. It started with a membership consisting of 12 baptized converts, including six other Filipinos who were accepted by profession of faith and four missionaries- the Finsters and Caldwells. Then LV Finster trained the first three Filipino pastors namely, Bibiano Panis, Leon Roda and Emilio Manalaysay, who played significant roles in the history of the growth of Adventism in the islands. They were ordained to the gospel ministry of the Adventist church in 1919. Panis shared the leadership of the work and even became the associate editor of Ang Tanglaw (The Lamp), one of the first evangelistic magazine subscriptions published in the dialect circulated throughout the country.
The church expanded with Finster as administrator of the work in Manila; Hay in Vigan, llocos Sur; Fattebert and Stewart opened the work in Cebu City; and Adams with Jornada followed up the interests created by the young literature evangelist, Ashbaugh, in Jaro, lloilo.thus encircling the whole of Panay Island.
Today, there are three unions overseeing the organized work of Adventists in the Philippines: North Philippine Union Mission (Pasay City), Central Philippine Union Conference (Cebu City), and South Philippine Union Conference (Cagayan de Oro City).
The growth of the Adventist Church in the Philippines is impressive. From 22 members in 1911, it grew to 13,537 in 1930 to 34,611 in 1950. As Adventists mark 100 years of existence in the Philippines, the church records a total baptism of 1,012,144.
The hundreds of churches that were built throughout the Philippines were a product of the missionary enterprise of the Spanish regime that began in 1521. In 1899, when the last of the Spanish fleet left the Philippines, they left behind, among many irrevocable influences, hundreds of brick and stone churches throughout the archipelago.
Among these were the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila, St. Augustine (Paoay Church) in llocos Norte, Miagao Church in lloilo City and Barasoain Church in Malolos City.
Manila Cathedral - The cathedral, also known as the minor basilica of the Immaculate Conception, was the seat of the Archbishop of Manila during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, and still remains the ecclesiastical seat of the Archdiocese of Manila. Completed in 1951, the Manilc Cathedral rises majestically over the remains of five predecessors, the first of which was erected in 1581. Four of the previous constructions were destroyed by earthquakes and fires, the fifth was reduced to a bombed-out shell during the Battle for Manila in 1945. The new Romanesque edificf incorporates stone carvings and rosette windows salvaged from the ruins.
St. Augustine Church (Paoay Church) - Popularly known as Paoay Church, St. Augustine Church was built in 1694 through the efforts of Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo. Considered as the most outstanding variant of the "earthquake Baroque", the church was built of baked bricks, coral rocks, salbot (tree sap) and lumber, and has 24 curved buttresses. Earthquake damaged portions of the church in 1865 and 1885. In an excavation conducted inside the church in 2000, a prehistoric human skeleton and fragmented ceramics were discovered and are now on display at the National Museum. The Paoay Church was declared a national treasure by then President Ferdinand Marcos. Now included in UNESCO's World Heritage List, it revealed several structural decays after centuries of exposure to the elements and will soon undergo restoration under the auspices of UNESCO.
Miagao Church - The Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in the town of Miagao, lloilo is one of the Philippines' architectural and religious gems. Built between 1787 and 1797, its fortress-like design suggests its dual purpose as a place of worship and as a fort used in defending the town against Moro raiders at the time. It is one of only four (Augustinian-built) churches in the country to make it to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. Its unique features include the unusual Aztec like bas-relief in the facade depicting St. Christopher carrying the baby Jesus through a tropical forest. The adobe used in building the church is made from silt and clay that can only be found in this part of lloilo, giving the building a unique warm-yellowish glow. Flying buttresses from the side of the church walls are typical of the "earthquake baroque" design reminiscent of churches in llocos, particularly that of Paoay Church and Vigan Cathedral. Also of note are the dissimilar designs of the two belfries; both were commissioned by two different parish priests. The church's simple interior is nevertheless highlighted by a striking gold-plated retablo. Miagao is about 40kms southwest of lloilo City.
Barasoain Church - A national shrine, this historic church is the site of the Constitutional Convention of the first Philippine Republic. It is in this church that the Malolos Constitution was drafted on September 29, 1898. Founded by Augustinian Missionaries in 1859, it is said to be a replica of the Barasoain Church in Navarra, Spain.
Jaime Lachica Cardinal Sin, the 30th Archbishop of Manila, was born August 31, 1928 in New Washington, Aklan, a small town in an island in the central Philippines. He was the seventh of nine children of Juan Sin, a Chinese businessman who had migrated to the Philippines, and Maxima Reyes Lachica.
He was ordained to the priesthood on April 3, 1954 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion in Roxas City, Capiz.
He was appointed Domestic Prelate by Pope XXIII on February 26,1960 and on February 10, 1967 was appointed Titular Bishop of Obba and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Jaro. Consecrated to the Episcopacy on March 18, 1967, he was named Apostolic Administrator Sede Plena of the Archdiocese of Jaro on June 20, 1970.
He was appointed by Pope John VI as the 30th Archbishop of Manila on January 21, 1974 and installed on March 19, 1974 at the Manila Cathedral. He chose the motto "Serviam" (I will serve). Two years later, he was elevated to the rank of a Cardinal during the Consistory in Rome on May 26, 1976. He was the third Filipino appointed Cardinal by the Pope.
On January 17, 2005, the Grandmaster of the Equestrian Order, His Eminence Carlo Cardinal Furno, representing His Holiness, John Paul II issued the Golden Palm of Jerusalem Certificate in honor of His Eminence, Jaime Cardinal L. Sin, D.D. in Rome. The well-deserved award is in recognition of Cardinal Sin's "active benevolence in the Holy Church" while serving as Grand Prior of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the Philippines. His Eminence is the first Filipino to receive this award.
In the same year, he and close friend, John Paul II, both faithful servants have been called home.
The Filipino people are very much enthusiastic about featuring Pope John Paul II on stamps in commemoration of his first death anniversary on April 2, 2006. Therefore, the management decided to come up with a project to utilize the stamps stocked at the Main Vault which include the souvenir sheets of Pope John Paul ll's Pastoral Visit in 1981.
The death of Pope John Paul II shall intensify the faith of Filipinos and his memory shall remain in our life. With the issuance of the overprinted souvenir sheet for his first death anniversary, we can again spread his goodwill and holiness.
The overprinted souvenir sheets and Official First Day Covers will be available starting 02 April 2006 at the Philatelic Service, Door 203, Liwasang Bonifacio, 1000 Manila and all Regional Offices of the Philippine Postal Corporation.
The convent and church of San Francisco de Asis in Intramuros were razed to the ground during the liberation of Manila in 1945. Instead of rebuilding at the same location, the Franciscans decided to construct a new church elsewhere.
On July 17, 1951, a contract was signed between the Franciscans and the Ayala Corporation, which agreed to donate two hectares of land at Forbes Park, Makati, Rizal, on which the Franciscans committed to construct a church and convent (California Mission-style).
On August 24, 1951, the Most Rev. Gabriel M. Reyes, D.o., Archbishop of Manila, granted permission for this construction to be undertaken dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. The conerstone was blessed on August 1, 1951.
On December 8, 1953, the Most Rev. Rufino J. Santos, D.o. Archbishop of Manila, solemnly blessed the new church. This year is the 50th Anniversary of the solemn blessing.
Santuario de San Antonio was converted into a parish on April 16, 1975, with a territory consisting of Urdaneta Village, North and South Forbes Park and Dasmarifias Village. In May, 1975, Fr. Urban Plachcinski, OFM, was installed as first parish priest.
On December 8, 1976, Fr. Plachcinski, was also appointed Pastor of the English speaking foreign Catholics in Metro Manila with headquarters at the Santuario de San Antonio Parish.
From the very beginning of the construction until its completion, Fr. Jose Martinez, OFM, was in charge of the place. He was the driving force behind the construction project.
Fr. Martinez was ordained to the Priesthood in Madrid, Spain at the age of 23, on June 2, 1929. He came to the Philippines in November of that year, and his work took him to Samar, Intramuros, Sta. Ana, Manila, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City and Forbes Park where he stayed for 18 years.
What the Parish is today, strong, vibrant and dynamic, can be traced to the combined efforts of all the priests and parishioners who have put all their time and efforts to ensure that the Santuario de San Antonio becomes a model parish that effectively and efficiently serves its community for the greater glory of God. More particularly, credit should go to the other parish priests namely; Fr. Hugh Zurat who was parish priest from 1980-1989; Fr. David Turnbull, 1989-1991; Fr. Enrique Carpio, 1991-1995; Fr. Franco Mendiola, April to November, 1995; Fr. Gil Romeo Abesamis, 1995-1997 and Fr. Antonio-Ma. Rosales, 1997 to the present.
In this 50 years of existence, the Santuario has been faithful to the values lived by St. Anthony: love for prayer; concern for the poor and the needy and care for the environment. In its little way it has contributed to recent events of our history, with the first meetings that led to EDSA UNO, as well as EDSA DOS.
MANGALDAN owns the distinction as the third town in Pangasinan to be founded by the Dominican missionaries. As early as 1591, it already existed as a Spanish encomienda. Its foundation as a town is attributed to Blessed Juan Martinez de Santo Domingo who died a martyr's death in Japan on March 19, 1618.
Originally, Mangaldan was a part of Calasiao until the Dominicans created it as an independent parish under the patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas on June 2, 1600. Its first church was of regular proportions.
Economically, Mangaldan was the richest town in Pangasinan in the second half of the 19th century. This was due to the famous irrigation system which the missionaries built within the confines of the town causing its fertile fields to yield bountiful harvest of palay. Most outstanding in this gigantic work was Fr. Jose Torres, O.P. who brought it to completion in 1829.
The second church of Mangaldan was finished in 1812. It collapsed during the great earthquake of March 16, 1892. The construction of the convent dates back to 1747. The construction of the present church was begun in 1942 by Fr. Juan Sison and was completed 20 years later by Fr. Leon Bitanga.
On this Great Jubilee Year 2000 the Diocese of Lucena celebrates her Golden Anniversary. This festivity is certainly a great opportunity for the Diocesan community to thank the Lord for the many blessings and favors she received during her fifty years of existence.
Looking back to the history of the Diocese, on September 8, 1950, the Papal Bull Quo Aeternae Dominici Gregis by Pope Pius XII was read before a huge crowd gathered in front of St. Ferdinand Cathedral, Lucena City, and the Diocese of Lucena was canonically erected and Bishop Rufino J. Santos was proclaimed Apostolic Administrator.
This Local Church, endowed which skills and experiences has engaged actively in modern economic, and social progress and in the struggle for justice and peace. Through her parishes all over the region, she became the living agent of the Gospel and the leading promoter of changes and developments through her social, educational and livelihood projects. Indeed, the Diocese of Lucena has become not only one of the signs of our times but also one of the center of humanitarian activities.
Originally, the Diocese of Lucena was largely composed of the central and southern parts of the Province of Quezon and the Parishes of Marinduque. As time went by, the need for new ecclesiastical jurisdictions was becoming more pronounced. Thus,this vast ecclesiastical territory was subdivided into three distinct areas giving birth to two other Dioceses namely the Diocese of Boac in 1978 and the Diocese of Gumaca in 1985.
Gifted with many priests and religious, the Diocese of Lucena contributed eight Bishops in the life of the Church of the whole Philippines. They are Ricardo Cardinal Vidal from Marinduque, Bishop Godofredo Pedernal from Marinduque, Bishop Raphael Lim from Marinduque, Bishop Ruben T. Profugo from Lucena, Bishop Angel Lagdameo from Lucban, Quezon, Bishop Emilio Z. Marquez from Lopez, Quezon, Bishop Antonio Ranola from Lucban, Quezon, Bishop Jose Oliveros from Alabat, Quezon.
Moreover, following the golden teaching of Christ, the Diocese of Lucena has intervened in many negotiations which concern peace and order situations among the different ideological and political groups present in the local region. Therefore, the message of the Gospel, which epitomizes the highest ideals and aspirations of mankind, shines anew in our times when it proclaims that the advocates of peace are blessed "for they shall be called sons of God" (Gaudium et Spes, n.77).
Latest Comments
Written by Chicago medical billing on Thursday, 02 September 2010 20:49
Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (Institutions & Society)
Written by jodezza caday on Wednesday, 01 September 2010 16:49
Battle of Tirad Pass (History )
Written by lhyn larosa on Sunday, 29 August 2010 03:28
Occupational Health Nurses Association of the Philippines (OHNAP) (Institutions & Society)
Written by Maria Ira on Monday, 16 August 2010 01:07
Occupational Health Nurses Association of the Philippines (OHNAP) (Institutions & Society)
Written by Andrea Lizares Si on Sunday, 15 August 2010 15:28
Bahay-Na-Bato to Showcase Our Architectural Heritage (Geography)