Lenten Sojourns: Santa Ana, Manila

After an afternoon stroll around Intramuros, I went to the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Santa Ana. The church is one of the oldest in Manila. It also survived the Second World War. It is the home of the canonically crowned image of Our Lady of the Abandoned brought in the 1700s.

This year, the parish exhibited some Lenten images just before Holy week. I was blessed enough to see them during my first time there. I was happy to see some of my friends there: Dennis, Basilio and Ace. They made my visit more worthwhile. It's a pleasing experience to talk with your friends while in a place you've never been before.

Chong Hock Temple: Another Gone Heritage

Amah, "grandma" in the Fookien tongue, is what I grew up calling my grandmother. I love her very much. She passed away last 2009 and I miss her still. Yearly, I would visit her together with her younger sister, my grand aunt. Her ashes rest with my grandfather's in the uppermost floor of the columbary building in the Manila Chinese Cemetery. In the shadows of that building stands Chong Hock Temple.

Chong Hock Temple (宗福堂)  is [or now, "was"] one of the remaining pre-war structures in Manila. It predates the Republic. It's the oldest Chinese Temple in Manila.

I got the blessed opportunity to behold her beauty and glory only last October 2014. I entered it and accompanied my grandaunt to see its interior. The Catholic images behind the golden buddha really struck me with awe. After silent prayer, I took out my camera and started clicking. Little did I knew then that it would be the first and last.

The ruins. Photo from Arquitectura Manila Facebook

Last March 15, the management in charge with the temple had it demolished due to termite infestation and structural risks. Though there are plans of reconstructing, we can only, and we should pray that the images be safe from being sold to collectors and that the reconstruction would be faithful to the original.

Also see:
http://manila.coconuts.co/2015/03/23/temple-demolition-was-not-illegal-says-group-managing-chong-hock-tong-temple

Here are some of the photos I took last year:

"Carroza" 2015

The annual lenten exhibit presented by the City of Mandaluyong. Exhibit ran from March 16-20 at the City Gymnasium.

It was nice to see some old friends and buddies who continue to share their talent and devotion. An untiring love for the faith, especially in this season of Lent. These images give us a glimpse to the final hours of our Savior, who in his great love for us, selflessly offered His life for our salvation. Here, art and faith unite to touch and inspire us to meditate and reflect on Christ's sacrifice and to journey with His sorrowful Mother.

More photos on my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1548645215396165.1073741920.1444739749120046&type=1

San Jose de Malaquing Tubig Bisperas 2015

Last March 18, I had the chance of celebrating the “Bisperas” in San Jose, Batangas. I was excited to see the ivory image of San Jose that joins the replica procession on the bisperas. My companion and I were still in the jeepney when we saw the procession which prompted us to alight immediately and rush to the procession.

We searched for the ivory San Jose. We squeezed ourselves to find our way into the procession but to no avail. Then we thought maybe he’s enthroned inside the church. We stopped and I clicked photos of the replicas.

 

The church façade was repainted red this year. Last time I was here, it was done in blue. We sat down for the Novena Mass. His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, former Archbishop of Lipa and Manila. Sadly due to time constraints, since we had to catch the last bus trip back to Manila, we had to leave when the homily began.

To our dismay, we found out that the San Jose we were looking for and longing to see was really absent from the celebration. To add to our shock was that the elderly woman taking care of the image was robbed and mercilessly murdered. The hopes of the San Jose joining the yearly bisperas seemed dim. However, suggestions were given that hopefully when considered, the good old San Jose, in his holy glory and rich history, may one day grace again the streets of San Jose, Batangas.