Parish Church of Santiago Apostol de Betis Postcards

These over-sized postcards show the Parish Church of Santiago Apostol de Betis in Betis, Pampanga.

The Parish Church of Santiago Apostol de Betis was built by the Agustinian Friars in 1754 using the design very predominant during its time: the Baroque Architecture. With ceiling paintings from the early 20th century, the church boasts of the most beautiful retablo in Pampanga that is arguably also the best in Central Luzon. Rendered in rococo, the piece, built presumably in the mid-18th century, is a fine example of Kapampangan art and craft.

Betis Church Postcard 1

There are various themes in the ceiling paintings. There’s a portrayal of Jesus Christ praying in Gethsemane. There’s also a depicting Jesus Christ which looks like he’s preaching people of various origins and race. These frescoes were all done by a local artist named Simon Flores, although several restoration works have already been done to preserve this masterpiece.

Betis Church Postcard 2

The retablo mayor is tastefully crafted and replete with decoration and religious enhancements. Fortunately, the piece still exudes the quality and charm of colonial retablos with the patina of age providing interest and definition. The wooden floor, though not so old, is well-maintained and adds to the ambience. Original wooden furnishings are still in the sacristy and in the convento.

Betis Church Postcard 3

SOURCES:
The Restoration of 26 Philippine Churches (An Article)
Betis: The Sistine Chapel of the Philippines

San Fernando Rey Parish Church Postcard

This is the San Fernando Rey Parish Church Postcard and not the San Fernando Metropolitan Cathedral or the Assumption Cathedral as I first posted.

San Fernando Rey Parish Church Postcard

Barasoain Church Postcards

Barasoain Church (also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish) is a Roman Catholic church built in 1630 in Malolos City, Bulacan. Founded by Augustinian Missionaries in 1859, the original church was burned during the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution however, it was renovated. The Parish Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel had its first stone edifice in 1871 to replace a temporary one but was burned later. In 1885, the current structure was started while the bell tower was constructed in 1889.

Barasoain Church Postcard 1

Having earned the title as the Cradle of Democracy in the East, most important religious buildings in the Philippines, and the site of the First Philippine Republic, the Church is proverbial for its historical importance among Filipinos.

Barasoain Church Postcard 2

The facade has Neo-Classic touches and its rounded pediment is echoed by the arches and rose window at the lower part. While the left outside of the Church is a medieval bell tower, the entrance of which has bamboo arches linings and its sides are rose windows.

Barasoain Church Postcard 3

Its architectural design is simple however, it has paintings in its ceilings and domes which makes it look bigger than its actual size. Aside of which, floral motifs, frescoes of angels and saints embellish the interior of the Church.

SOURCE:Barasoain Church Wikipedia Entry

Parish Church of San Isidro Labrador Postcard

The Parish Church of San Isidro Labrador in Pulilan, Bulacan is dedicated in honor of Saint Isidore, the patron saint of farmers and the patron saint of Madrid, Spain, as well. In fact, the town was called San Isidro Labrador before getting renamed as Pulilan from “Pulo ng Ulan”.

San Isidro Labrador Postcard

SOURCE:
Pulilan Church

Parish Church of St. Joseph Postcards

The construction of the St. Joseph Church was initiated by Fr. Diego Cera de la Virgen del Carmen, a priest under the Augustinian Recollects. The construction of the church started in 1797 and took 30 years to complete, with the help of 300 families who pooled their resources.

St. Joseph Church Postcard

The Las Piñas Bamboo Organ is in the Parish Church of St. Joseph. The organ was installed in the church in 1832. It measures 5.17 meters tall, 4.17 meters wide and 1.45 meters deep. It has a total of 1,031 pipes, 902 of which are bamboo. It was made out of the hundreds of bamboo poles which Fr. Cera buried in the sand for a year to it be treated by salt water to preserve and protect it from termites.

Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Postcard 1

Of these bamboo pipes, 747 are classified as speaking flue pipes, 36 as blind flue pipes and 119 as axe blind pipes. The 129 pipes are made of metal, with 122 speaking reed pipes comprising the trumpets. The seven other speaking reed pipes are for the “bird stops.” It had a special tube also made of bamboo, which was designed to imitate the song of the birds when a small quantity of water was poured therein.

Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Postcard 2

In 1973, a decision was made to ship the organ pipes out of the country to the Johanes Klais Orgelbau firm in Germany for restoration to their original state. Today, the organ is about 80 percent original.

Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Postcard 3

SOURCE:
Las Pinas Bamboo Organ