Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Tavera Street, in the town of Pakil1, in the province2 of Laguna3, in the Calabarzon4 Region5 of the Philippines. It is so easy to locate this church since it was built facing the town’s plaza, and to its right is the municipal hall. Allow Tita S to tell you more about this interesting church.
It was founded in 1676, consecrated in 1581, with the groundbreaking of the current building in 1732, and completed in 1767. This church is 162 feet (49 meters) in length and 36 feet (11 meters) in width.
Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish Church, Pakil, Laguna, Home of Our Lady of Turumba By Richard Eusebio, own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, created 30 November 2011, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter_of_Alcantara_Parish_Church#media/File:The_Pakil_Church_or_the_San_Pablo_de_Alcantara_Chuirch_in_Pakil,_Laguna.jpg
Here are 13 facts about Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish Church:
1.This church was designated the Diocesan Shrine6of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba7. It enshrines the Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba8.
The original image of Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba, an oil painting, 1788 By Randy Caponpon, DM, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Turumba#/media/File:TurumbaIcon.jpg
Know more about Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba in my post: NOW YOU KNOW: NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LOS DOLORES DE TURUMBA
2. The first Catholic community in Pakil1 was organized by Fray Pedro Bautista9, later canonized as San Pedro de Bautista. It was initially a hermitage10, or visita, of Paete, in 1588, but eventually separated from the latter in 1676. Father Francisco de Barajas, a priest from Santa Ana de Sapa Church in Manila, was named as the first parish priest on May 12, 1676.
3. The first church was constructed of bamboo, nipa, and other light materials, by volunteers, under the patronage of Peter of Alcantara11.
St. Peter of Alcantara statue – Facebook account profile picture, Source: Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish
4. In 1684, the government, through Governor General Gabriel Curuscalegui, approved the collection of a tribute for five years for the sole purpose of constructing a stone church. The foundation was laid in 1732, during the term of Father Fernando Haro, but it burned down in 1739. Reconstruction of the church finished in 1767, with the addition of a tower in 1777. The image of Our Lady of Turumba7 was unveiled in 1788. In 1840, Father Joaquin de Coria repaired the church.
Alas, the church was damaged several times thereafter. A fire ravaged most of the town in 1851 so Father Juan de Llanera repaired it the following year. Father Juan de Dios de Villayos rebuilt the church roof and bell tower, after an earthquake, in 1881, and rebuilt again in 1883 by Father Paulino Camba. The 1937 earthquake damaged the church anew, and it was repaired by Father Federico Diaz Pines, with the help of the Confederation of United Catholics (Kapisanang Unidad Catolica). During World War II, the church was damaged and later renovated. A major repair was done from 1980 to 1984, when a level of the bell tower was rebuilt and the ceiling was renovated under the Parish Council of the Laity.
The current building is made of sand, gravel, cement and bricks.
Pakil Church historical marker as Cultural Property of the Philippines number PH-40-0074, by Ramon FVelasquez, self-photographed, created 31 August 2013, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pakil_Church_in_Laguna_historical_marker.jpg
5. The church, constructed in the Corinthian12 and Ionic13 architectural orders, in a cruciform, has a measurement of 162 by 36 feet (49 by 11 m). Its facade has classical Corinthian columns and cornices14 across a floral stone relief15. The church’s side entrance is elaborately designed which is typical of churches in Laguna3. To one side of the facade is a belfry housing four small bells and one huge bell.
Interior, St. Peter of Alcantara Parish Church, Pakil, Laguna – https://www.facebook.com/SaBirhen/photos/a.500733560556390/500734030556343/?type=3&theater
The altar up close, St. Peter of Alcantara Parish Church, Pakil, Laguna – https://www.facebook.com/SaBirhen/photos/a.500733560556390/500734303889649/?type=3&theater
6. The main retablo16 is painted in white and has a pantheon17 of 14 saints housed in an elaborately carved niche with the Archangel Michael towering above. There are two smaller retablos on either side. Father Ronald Reagan constructed an altar marble, consecrated by Archbishop Alejandro Olalia in 1959, where the image of the Nuestra Señora de los Dolores18 was enshrined.
The main retablo, St. Peter of Alcantara Parish Church, Pakil, Laguna
The main retablo, up close, St. Peter of Alcantara Parish Church, Pakil, Laguna
The two smaller, side retablos, St. Peter of Alcantara Parish Church, Pakil, Laguna – https://www.facebook.com/SaBirhen/photos/a.500733560556390/500734323889647/?type=3&theater
The altar, Lent 2020, St. Peter of Alcantara Parish Church, Pakil, Laguna – https://www.facebook.com/SaBirhen/photos/a.500733560556390/500733807223032/?type=3&theater
7. A pulpit and a large painting depicting the concept of Heaven, Earth, Hell, and Final Judgement (Judicium Finale), created by Jose Dans, a 19th century artist from Paete, can also be found.
8. A life-sized figure of a crucified Christ is found in a smaller retablo16, near the church entrance.
Sto. Cristo de Pakil, collage photos from htpps://www.facebook.com/pg/SaBirhen/photos/?tab=album&album_id=504921503470929
Know more about Sto, Cristo de Pakil from the aforementioned Facebook page.
The church’s Stations of the Cross19 were made by local artists. See a related post for more about the Stations of the Cross: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT IS VISITA IGLESIA?
9. Inside the church, there are original century-old images and church ornaments.
10. Adjoining the church are a convent, sacristy20, adoration room/chapel, and an ecclesiastical museum in honor of Our Lady of Turumba7. The original oil painting, found by fishermen, can also be found inside the chapel. The museum contains clothes, perfumes, jewelry, and other historic memorabilia.
My group went up to the second floor to get to the adoration chapel where the original oil painting of Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba7. We passed through the passageway to the right of the church interior, almost near the altar. The walls on the ground and second floor are filled with framed information and pictures about Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba in English and Filipino. We turned right from the stairs at the second level.
The adoration chapel is very peaceful, for prayer and meditation. The iconic oil painting is located at the center of an intricately designed wall. A small glass container below the said painting is filled with blessed, sampaguita21–scented oil for visitors to apply on any part of their body which needs to be healed.
A tall box-counter to the left of the entrance, complete with paper, ball pen and small white letter envelopes, enables visitors to write their petitions. Voluntary donations are most welcome. You can just drop them all at the slot provided.
A small table-altar is located at the center of the room. A statue of Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba7 is enclosed in a glass cabinet at the left side of the room. (insert pic)
Cushioned wall seats with cushioned kneelers are comfortable for seniors and other devotees to sit or kneel on, if desired.
Do not forget to register in the logbook upon exit.
It would be advisable to simply buy the healing oil from the Turumba8 Store at the ground floor, on the right side, outside the church, for personal use or as a gift to a sick loved one. A small and large plastic bottle of the oil are available for sale, your choice of sampaguita20 or menthol scent. Do not forget to ask for a free piece of the cloth of Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba7 that you can place in your wallet or bag to protect you against danger. The kind woman-clerk is generous enough to give you extra pieces for your relatives and friends who might need it too. Other religious items are also offered for sale.
11. The Chancery of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Pablo22 confirmed that the diocese received a letter from Santos Cardinal Abril, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major23 in Rome. The letter conferred a Spiritual Bond of Affinity between the basilica and the church of Pakil1. Know more about basilicas in a related post: Short and Simple: THE FOUR MAJOR BASILICAS OF THE WORLD
12. The Turumba8 Festival, in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba7, is the longest religious celebration in the Philippines. It consists of seven Turumba novenas24, or lupi, for seven months, commemorating the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary18. I featured this festival in another post: NOW YOU KNOW: TURUMBA FESTIVAL, PAKIL, LAGUNA. The April 18-22 celebration of this festival was cancelled but you can visit the official Facebook (Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish) for the live stream of the first lupi on April 3, 2020.
13. This church served as filming location for the ABS-CBN television series Juan dela Cruz, starring Coco Martin, and the show’s follow-up seriesMy Little Juan. The celebration of Turumba8 was immortalized in the 1983 film Turumba, by Kidlat Tahimik.
You can also check out their Facebook account – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Peter-of-Alcantara-Parish-Church/650472435028437
The information was obtained from the Facebook account, Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish, and Wikipedia pages “Our Lady of Turumba”25 and “Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish Church”26. Sorry, I cannot access my personal pictures for now. I will just add them when I can do so.
You can visit the official Facebook account of this parish church: Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish for a novena and other related matters.
So, have I convinced you visit this church? Why not include it in your next Laguna3 Visita Iglesia27?
You know what, dearest readers? Tita S was blessed to have done an early 2020 Visita Iglesia27 with her college buddies on March 8, before the Presidential proclamation of a of a public health emergency for the entire country due to COVID-19. See her posts so you can, somehow, virtually join her, and imagine that you also did the Visita Iglesia because it might be impossible to visit seven churches during this pandemic for Holy Week 2020: LAGUNA VISITA IGLESIA 2020: PART 1 (OF 2) and LAGUNA VISITA IGLESIA 2020: PART 2 (OF 2)
Did you find this post informative? I would like to hear from you about your visit to Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish Church.
See other interesting places through other posts in this category and other categories of SCapades, Pinoy Delights, and Smart Traveler – Now You Know, Short and Simple, and Say, Say, Say. Happy reading, and I hope that you will appreciate what I shared and some of the featured destinations will be part of your future travel plans!
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The following terms are defined for interested readers, especially those with “Senior-Moments”, not familiar with Filipino, Catholic and architectural terms, and those too busy or lazy to Google such terms:
1Pakil is a fifth class municipality28, in the province2 of Laguna3, in the Calabarzon4 Region5 of the Philippines. The town was named after Gat Paquil who ruled over this place when the Spaniards arrived in 1571. It became an independent town on May 12, 1676. Its name was officially changed from Paquil to Pakil by Executive Order No. 77 in 1927. It now has 13 barangays29. Its territorial boundaries extend: to Pangil, Laguna along Mabato River then across the lake to Sambal River in the north; across the lake at Inuod Point in Jalajala and Pililia, Rizal, and to Mabitac, Laguna along Hinukay River in the west; to Paete, Laguna in the south; and Real, Quezon in the east. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Pakil, Laguna”30 and http://calabarzon.dilg.gov.ph/132-old-lgus/old-laguna-lgus/579-pakil
2A province is the primary administrative and political division in the Philippines. It is the second-level administrative sub-division of a region5. There are 81 provinces (called “lalawigan”) in the Philippines. Each province is governed by an elected legislature called the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and by an elected governor. Remember, a province in the Philippines is divided into cities and municipalities28 (or towns), which in turn, are divided into barangays29, formerly called barrios. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Provinces of the Philippines.”31 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT ARE PROVINCES IN THE PHILIPPINES?
3Laguna is a province2 in the Calabarzon4 Region5 of the Philippines, located southeast of Metro Manila, north of Batangas, west of Quezon, south of the province of Rizal, and east of Cavite. This is the 7th richest province in the country, and the third largest province in the region5. It hugs the southern shores of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country. It is composed of 24 municipalities28 and 6 cities. The provincial capital is the town of Santa Cruz since 1858, after Bay (1581-1688) and Pagsanjan (1688-1858). It is historically one of the first provinces in the Philippines to have been visited by Christian missionaries. Its main natural resources are its agriculture and fisheries, owing to its position near Laguna de Bay and the surrounding lowlands. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Laguna (province)”32
4Calabarzon, or Region IV-A, or Southern Tagalog Mainland, is a Philippine region5 located in the island group of Luzon, with Calamba as its regional center. CALABARZON is an acronym for this region’s five provinces2: CAvite, LAguna3, BAtangas, Rizal, QueZON. It is the most populated region in the country and the country’s second most densely populated region, after Metro Manila. This region is located south of the National Capital Region (NCR), bordered by the provinces of Aurora, Bulacan and Metro Manila in the north, Manila Bay in the west, Tayabas Bay, and Sibuyan Sea in the south, and Lamon Bay, and the Bicol Region in the east. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Calabarzon”33 and https://lga.gov.ph/region/region-iv-a.
5A region is an administrative division based on geographical, cultural and ethnological characteristics. Each region is further subdivided in provinces2, composed of cities and municipalities28 (or towns), which in turn, are divided into barangays29, formerly called barrios, according to Wikipedia page “Regions of the Philippines”.34 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT ARE THE REGIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES?
6A diocesan shrine is a designation given to a church “to which numerous members of the faithful make a pilgrimage for a special reason of piety.” It must exceed other churches in terms of worship, Christian formation, and social services. The honor is conferred by the local bishop or archbishop, who canonically elevates the church to a diocesan shrine. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “National Shrine.”35
7The Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba, or Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba, is a 9 by 11 inches (23 by 28 cm) oil on canvas painting of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows18. The image belonged to some missionaries who crossed Laguna de Bay in a launch on September 1788. Unfortunately, the launch was shipwrecked due to a storm, and some fishermen found this icon in their nets in Laguna de Bay. They brought it to the shore near Pakil1 Church where a group of women found the icon the following Sunday morning. The parish priest called the sacristans, choristers, and churchgoers at Mass to fetch and welcome the image. The townspeople sang and danced their way back to the church, giving birth to the turumba8 and the devotion of Our Lady of Sorrows in the town of Pakil. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Our Lady of Turumba”25 Read more about this icon in a related post: NOW YOU KNOW: NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LOS DOLORES DE TURUMBA
8The word turumba is from the Tagalog36 phrase “Natumba sa laki ng tuwa” (“had trembled in great joy”), based on stories that the townspeople of Pakil1, Laguna3, in the Philippines, sang and danced to welcome this painting upon its discovery on September 15, 1788.37 Read about the Turumba Festival in a related post: NOW YOU KNOW: TURUMBA FESTIVAL, PAKIL, LAGUNA
9Father Pedro Bautista (Peter Baptist) was a Spanish Franciscan missionary from Avila, Spain, and one of the 26 Christians martyred38 in Japan in 1597, and eventually canonized as San Pedro de Bautista. As stated above, he organized the first Catholic community in Pakil1, Laguna. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “26 Martyrs of Japan”.39
10An hermitage, or a visita is a place of worship in a newly established town, without a designated priest-in-charge, attached to a parish church (with a parish priest) of an adjacent town. It may become a parish church, with enough parishioners and a designated parish priest.
11Peter of Alcantara (1499 – 1562) was a Spanish Franciscan friar, beatified in Rome by Pope Gregory XV on 1622, and canonized by Pope Clement IX on 1669. It is said that Peter slept very little, awake most of the time when his brother friars were sleeping, and that he always slept sitting up, so he is considered the patron saint of night watchmen and nocturnal adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. His feast day is October 18. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Peter of Alcantara.”40
12The Corinthian order of architecture is characterized by an ornate column style developed in ancient Greece. The capital, or top part, of a Corinthian style column has lavish ornamentation carved to resemble acanthus leaves and flowers, and sometimes, small scrolls. Capital ornaments flare outward like bells, suggesting a sense of height. Its column is characterized by fluted/grooved shafts.41 and 42
13The Ionic order of architecture was developed in the mid-16th century BCE by Ionic Greeks on the islands near present-day Turkey.43 It is defined by the Ionic column, which is slender, and often fluted. The capital, at the top part of the column, or the decorative stone that bears the weight of the roof, features a volute, i.e., a spiral or scroll-like design. The cornice14 has saw-like squared edges. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Ionic order”.44
14A cornice of a building refers to any horizontal decorative molding that crowns a building, according to the Wikipedia page “Cornice”.45 It is the decorative trim located at the meeting point between walls and a roof or ceiling, used on building exteriors and interiors. On the outside of structures, it is the horizontal area that sticks out at the top of the wall, right below the roofline.46
15Relief, in architecture, refers to a time-consuming, sculptural technique where the sculpted elements remain attached to a solid background of the same material. The term comes from the Latin word relevo, meaning “to raise”. It gives an impression that the sculpted material has been raised above the background plane. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Relief.”47
16A retablo is a large altarpiece painting or an elaborate wooden structure with sculpture, or a combination of the two, above an altar, and an elaborate framework enclosing it, according to the Wikipedia page “Retablo”.48
17A pantheon refers to a particular set of saints or gods of a polytheistic religion, mythology, or tradition. It is the Greek term which means “of or common to all gods”. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Pantheon (religion)”.49
18Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Dolours, the Sorrowful Mother, Mother of Sorrows, Our Lady of Piety, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, or Our Lady of the Seven Dolours, all refer to the Virgin Mary in relation to sorrows in her life, and portrays her in a sorrowful and tearful effect, with one or seven knives or daggers piercing her heart, often bleeding. her feast is liturgically celebrated every September 15. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Our Lady of Sorrows.”50
If you are wondering what he Seven Sorrows (or Dolors) are, think and look no more. These are the events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary that are a popular devotion and are frequently depicted in art: the prophecy of Simeon51 (Luke 2:34-35), the flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23), the loss of the Child Jesus in the temple of Jerusalem (Luke 2:43-45), Mary’s meeting Jesus on the Via Dolorosa52 (not in the New Testament), the Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary (Matthew 27:34-50, Mark 15:23-37, Luke 23:33-46, John 19:18-30), the piercing of the side of Jesus with a spear, and His descent from the Cross (John 18:34), and the burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea53 (Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:43-47, Luke 23:50-53. John 19:40-42). These Seven Sorrows should not be confused with the five Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Our Lady of Sorrows”.50
19The Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross, Ways of Sorrow, or Via Crucis, refers to the series of fourteen images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of His crucifixion and accompanying prayers, considered to be patterned after the Via Dolorosa52 in Jerusalem which is believed to be the actual path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary for His crucifixion. The devotion of Roman Catholics to do the Way of the Cross during Holy Week is like a spiritual pilgrimage through the contemplation of the Passion of Christ (the final period of the life of Jesus from His entrance in Jerusalem till His crucifixion). The 14 stations are: (1) Pilate condemns Jesus to die; (2) Jesus accepts His cross; (3) Jesus falls for the first time; (4) Jesus meets His mother, Mary; (5) Simon helps carry the cross; (6) Veronica wipes the face of Jesus; (7) Jesus falls for the second time; (8) Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem; (9) Jesus falls for the third time; (10) Jesus is stripped of His clothes; (11) Jesus is nailed to the cross; (12) Jesus dies on the cross; (13) Jesus is taken down from the cross; and, (14) Jesus is placed in the tomb. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Stations of the Cross”.54 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT IS VISITA IGLESIA?
20A sacristy is a room for keeping vestments (liturgical garments and articles), and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records. In some countries, it is called the vestry. It is usually located inside the church, usually behind or on/near a side of the main altar, but may also be in an annex or separate building. Newer churches locate it near the entrances to the church. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Sacristy”.55
21Sampaguita, Jasminum sambac, Arabian jasmine or Sambac jasmine, is a species of attractive and sweetly fragrant jasmine native to tropical Asia, from the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia, used as a fragrant ingredient in perfumes and jasmine tea. It is a small evergreen shrub or vine, with smooth ovate leaves, clustered and strongly scented flowers which bloom all throughout the year, with purple or black berry-fruits. Sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines, adopted on February 1, 1934, via Proclamation No. 652, issued by American Governor-General Frank Murphy. Filipinos string the flowers into leis, corsages, and sometimes crowns, commonly sold by vendors outside churches. The garlands are used as a form of bestowing honor, veneration, or accolade. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Jasminum sambac”.56
22The Diocese of San Pablo is a Roman Catholic diocese which is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Manila. This diocese covers the entire province of Laguna3. Its patron saint, or titular head, is Saint Paul the Hermit. It is located along Marcos Paulino Avenue in San Pablo City57, Laguna, with contact number (049) 562-1039. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Roman Catholic Diocese of San Pablo”.58
23The Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, or Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, hence its name of St. Mary Major, i.e., the Greater. It is also called the Liberian Basilica because the original building was attributed to Pope Liberius59. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Santa Maria Maggiore”.60 Know more about this basilica in a related post: Short and Simple: THE FOUR MAJOR BASILICAS OF THE WORLD
24A novena (Latin for “nine”) is an ancient tradition of devotional praying in Christianity, consisting of private or public prayers repeated for nine successive days or weeks. During a novena, the devotees make petitions, implore favors, or obtain graces by worshipping Jesus Christ, and asking for intercessions of the Virgin Mary, or the saints of the faith. Novena prayers are customarily printed in small booklets, and the novena is often dedicated to a specific saint, angel, a specific Marian title of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or one of the personages of the Holy Trinity. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Novena”.61
25“Our Lady of Turumba,” accessed February 3, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Turumba
26“Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish Church,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter_of_Alcantara_Parish_Church
27Visita Iglesia, or Seven Churches Visitation, is the Roman Catholic Lenten practice to visit seven (and even 14) churches during Holy Week, traditionally on the evening of Maundy Thursday, to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in each church. There are no set prayers given by the Catholic Church for this activity, except to pray for the intentions of the Pope and recite the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary and Glory Be. Some may opt to pray the Stations of the Cross19. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Seven Churches Visitation”.62 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT IS VISITA IGLESIA?
28A municipality is a small, single urban administrative division, or local government unit (LGU), in the Philippines which has corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by law. It is a unit under a province2, subdivided into barangays29, and is locally called “bayan”. In the Philippines, a municipality is headed by a mayor, a vice mayor, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan (legislative branch). It can enact local policies and laws, enforce them, and govern its jurisdictions. It can enter into contracts and other transactions through its elected and appointed officials and can tax as well. It enforces all local and national laws. There are almost 1,500 municipalities in the Philippines. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Municipalities of the Philippines.”63 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: HOW MANY CITIES ARE THERE IN THE PHILIPPINES?
29A barangay in the Philippines is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines, headed by a barangay captain, aided by a Sangguniang Barangay (Barangay Council). It is the native Filipino term for a village. It was formerly called a barrio. In a metropolitan area, a barangay is an inner city neighborhood, a suburb, or a suburban neighborhood. The word barangay originated from the term “balangay”, a kind of boat used by a group of Austronesian people who migrated to the Philippines. A number of barangays grouped together is called a district. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Barangay.”64
30“Pakil, Laguna,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakil,_Laguna
31“Provinces of the Philippines,” accessed July 17, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Philippines
32“Laguna (province),” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laguna_(province)
33“Calabarzon,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calabarzon
34“Regions of the Philippines,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_the_Philippines
35“National shrine,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_shrine
36Tagalog refers to the second largest ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines, after the Visayan people, numbering around 30 million, with most of them inhabiting Metro Manila, the Calabarzon region in southern Luzon, the islands of Marinduque and Mindoro in the Mimoropa Region, as well as a plurality in the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Zambales in Central Luzon. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Tagalog (people).”65
38The 26 Martyrs of Japan were a group of Catholics who were executed by crucifixion on February 5, 1597, at Nagasaki, because of their religion. They were beatified by Pope Urban VIII in Vatican City on September 14, 1627, and canonized by Pope Pius IX on June 8, 1862. Their feast day is February 6. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “26 Martyrs of Japan.”39
39“26 Martyrs of Japan,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/26 Martyrs of Japan
40“Peter of Alcantara,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_of_Alc%C3%A1ntara
41https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-corinthian-column-177504
42https://www.britannica.com/technology/Corinthian-order
44“Ionic order,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionic_order
45“Cornice,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornice
46https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-cornice-in-architecture-definition-styles.html
47“Relief,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relief
48“Retablo,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retablo
49“Pantheon (religion),” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon_(religion)
50“Our Lady of Sorrows,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Sorrows
51Simeon, according to Luke 2:25-35, was a just and devout man of Jerusalem who met Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as they entered the temple to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses on the 40th day from Jesus’ birth, at the presentation of Jesus at the Temple. The Holy Spirit visited Simeon and told him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. When he took Jesus into his arms, he uttered a prayer and gave a prophecy alluding to the crucifixion. This event is commemorated every February 2 as Candlemas, or more formally, the Presentation of the Lord, the Meeting of the Lord, or the Purification of the Virgin. His prophecy is used in the context of Our Lady of Sorrows18, and venerated as a saint with feast day on February 3. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Simeon (Gospel of Luke).”66
52Via Dolorosa, Sorrowful Way or Way of Suffering, is believed to be the actual path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary on His way to the crucifixion in the Old City of Jerusalem. The winding route from the former Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a distance of about 600 meters (2,000 feet), is a celebrated place of Christian pilgrimage. This current route was established in the 18th century and is marked by nine Stations of the Cross19, with the remaining five stations, located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Via Dolorosa.”67
53Joseph of Arimathea, according to all four canonical gospels, was the man who assumed responsibility for the burial of Jesus after His crucifixion. According to John 19:38, upon hearing of Jesus’ death, this secret disciple of Jesus “asked Pilate (Roman governor who presided at the trial of Jesus and gave the order for His crucifixion) that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission.” He immediately purchased a line shroud (Mark 15:46) and proceeded to Golgotha to take the body of Jesus down from the cross. Joseph and Nicodemus took the body and bound it in linen cloths with the spices that the latter bought, according to John 19:39-40. He is the Patron of Funeral Directors and Undertakers and his feast day is March 17. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Joseph of Arimathea.”68
54”Stations of the Cross,” accessed March 21, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stations_of_the_Cross
55“Sacristy,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacristy
56“Jasminum sambac,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasminum_sambac
57San Pablo is a first class city in the southern portion of the province2 of Laguna3, in the Calabarzon4 Region5 of the Philippines, with 80 barangays29. It is one of the oldest cities in the country, founded in 1586, chartered in 1647, and became a city on May 7, 1940. It is the largest city in the province of Laguna by land area, and is nestled in the foothills of three mountains: Mount Banahaw, Mount Makiling, and the Sierra Madre Mountains. It is called the City of Seven Lakes because of the seven crater lakes scattered around the city: Lake Bunot, Lake Calibato, Lake Muhikap, Lake Palakpakin, Lake Pandin, Lake Sampaloc, and Lake Yambo. It is also a bustling city of trade and commerce as well as a center of education and learning with schools, colleges and training institutions. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “San Pablo, Laguna”.69
58“Roman Catholic Diocese of San Pablo,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_San_Pablo
59Pope Liberius (310 – September 24, 366) was Pope of the Church in Rome from May 17, 352 until his death on September 24, 366. He was consecrated on May 22, 352 as the successor to Pope Julius I. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Pope Liberius.”70
60“Santa Maria Maggiore,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Maggiore
61“Novena,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novena
62“Seven Churches Visitation,” accessed March 21, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Churches_Visitation
63“Municipalities of the Philippines,” accessed July 17, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_the_Philippines
64“Barangay,” accessed January 29, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barangay
65“Tagalog people,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagalog_people
66“Simeon (Gospel of Luke),” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_(Gospel_of_Luke)
67“Via Dolorosa,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via_Dolorosa
68“Joseph of Arimathea,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_of_Arimathea
69San Pablo, Laguna,” accessed March 11, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pablo,_Laguna
70“Pope Liberius,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Liberius
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