Visiting San Jose's Fiesta

Saint Joseph The Patriarch. Patron
Saint of  San Jose, Batangas.

Taga Ibaan Ako

San Jose, Batangas can always draw a line in my life. For almost four years, this is where I spent a big part of my secondary education before transferring to St. James Academy in Ibaan. I have to admit, I fell in love with the town. The climate. The town folks. The ancestral structures. Despite local government's efforts to fast-track its development, the town remains the same -things hardly changed. And after almost 15 years, marking March 19 on calendar, I tried to pick up the pieces again where I left them. I visited San Jose on it's fiesta.

San Jose Cathedral, San Jose,
 Batangas

The municipality is bounded by Lipa City in the north and northeast, the municipality of Ibaan in the east, Batangas City and municipality of San Pascual in the south, and the municipalities of Cuenca and Alitagtag in the west.

The old San Jose, Batangas

Plotting again the road I used to take back in the days, I ended making an exit at the town's Municipal Hall. From Ibaan, that's the fastest way to get there. And across the road, just a few steps from plaza, one will be met by San Jose Cathedral.

The Shrine of St. Joseph the Patriarch is located in the town proper and is a popular Catholic pilgrimage site.   The altar is massive, with six rounded columns encircling the image of St. Joseph. Outside a multi-tiered belfry stands which was built in the latter part of the 19th century; a bridge offers passage to the church over the Malaquing Tubig River.

Although the Cathedral has changed color outside, its majestic appearance remains -seeing over the people of  San Jose in its uphill nest above the plaza. At the back of the Cathedral, taking the entrance gate at the right side, there lies the Oblates of Saint Joseph Mission and Minor Seminary which was founded by the recently canonized Saint Joseph Marello. The Oblates were the first Italian congregation to send missionaries to the Philippines.

This bell was named after M.P.S
Agustin in 1870 and installed by
Fr. Roman S. Sierra, OSJ.
Damaged by earthquake in 1942,
and taken from the belfry in
1953. This belfry was initiated
by Fr. Rony Alkonga, OSJ in
2000, erected by Rev. Fr. Jose
V. Alipin in 2001, and
completed by Rev. Fr. John
A. De Castro, OSJ in 2003.

It was once built with cogon and bamboo by Augustinian friars around 1788. The present structure was built on 1812 under the supervision of a famous botanist Fr. Manuel Blanco, OSA. It has single-aisle interior which offers an unobstructed view of the large main altar.

The church is a paragon of Baroque architecture in the Philippines, and combines this with the neo-classical lines of an adjacent convent. The pulpit and canopy is study in intricate carvings of local flora.

Past Fast Facts

The Aetas were the first inhabitants of the place. They started clearing some portions of the wilderness especially in the areas near the riverbanks. Several groups of settlers then drove this Aetas to hinterlands and permanently occupied the place. They named it “Malaquing Tubig”, referring to the big river that cuts through the central portion of their early settlement.

The Spaniards then colonized the Philippines. Bauan was established in 1596 as an ecclesiastical unit administered by the order of Saint Agustin with Malaquing Tubig as one of the barrios under its jurisdiction.

Human population of Malaquing Tubig started to grow and in 1754, Taal Volcano erupted destroying the original Bauan. And before its actual site could have been selected, Malaking Tubig was separated from Bauan. The recognized leaders of Malaquing Tubig then petitioned to the Spanish authorities for the creation of that place as a pueblo which was granted to them on April 26, 1765.

Hopefuls and believers trying to make both ends meet before
Saint Joseph The Patriarch.

Established on April 26, 1765 as the town of San José de Malaquing Tubig, it once formed part of Bauan, and in the new town's establishment, it originally included the land that now makes up the Municipality of Cuenca.

Just like any other Catholic celebrations giving honor to town's Patron Saint, Saint Joseph, The Worker's day attracts not just faithfuls, but also traders. Roman Empire, once ruled the world and popularized the such festivities in the name of Olympus gods and goddesses, has set such trend and was obviously carried on up to the present time. Some of its empire states, under the blessings of Pax Romana, even encouraged holding them to raise funds through taxes paid by merchants. 

Despite it all, with its livestock and great tasting agricultural products such as lanzones, San Jose will always be a nice place to visit. I may have failed to see and find the old faces I used to know, San Jose made me reflect more of my old self. Much more, now that some lines are beginning to cross my forehead.

Related Links/Source:
http://bit.ly/eeYQaR 

Imagen Del Senior San Jose Viejo. As listed in 1870 Libro De Inventario,
this figure is popularly known as San Joseng Binata. This is currently
being used in/for house visitation.

Columbario at Simbahan Ng Santissima Trinidad

The Resurrection Wall

Travel Batangas

Living a mortal life in this world full of nameless faces, we hardly take a grasp a piece of peaceful body, heart and mind. And when the time has come for us to set our feet off the ground we’re standing, our soul remains in constant search for a place sated with serenity and tranquility –a place where we can lay in silence.

But with gushing and swelling chaos around, we often find ourselves so occupied with finding ways on how we can get past our vulnerable existence with each passing day. And Batangas City is just exploding with that character. But then again, Batanguenos need not to worry that much by the time we need to return where we came from –bones and ashes. For there’s a home awaiting for our lost soul. And that’s the Columbarium at Simbahan Ng Santissima Trinidad.

The Saints' Row

Columbariums date from Roman times, and are defined as structures built to hold cremated remains. It is also a type of tomb, popular in early imperial Rome. A columbarium is a place for the respectful and usually public storage of cinerary urns (i.e. urns holding a deceased’s cremated remains). The term comes from the Latin columba (dove) and originally referred to compartmentalized housing for doves and pigeons, commonly called dovecot. 

The Assumption Arc

Located underneath the Main Altar of the Simbahan ng Santissima Trinidad, the Columbarium is the first of its kind in Batangas City. This is intefrated with the Chapel of the Resurrection and of the Saints. The said Columbarium is an inspiring, practical and perfect sanctuary for the internment of bones or ashes of our loved ones. 

Often totally or partially subterranean, such tombs had niches arranged in rows in the walls with pots sunk into them to contain the ashes of the dead. These provided comparatively decent burial for everyone. Much more, this is a silent and peaceful place to play for the souls of our dearly beloved. 

The Saints' Row Facade

In other cases, columbaria are built into church structures. One example is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Los Angeles, California), which houses a number of columbarium niches in the mausoleum built into the lower levels of the Cathedral. They may also be made of free standing units.

Simbahan ng Santissima Trinidad has both of those Columbarium structures with a total of 1,000 boxes/niches. Its Resurrection Chapel boasts front wall with tombs called the Resurrection Wall. In case of stand-alone units, our loved ones can take a rest at their Arc of the Assumption laden with figures of Mama Mary and other Saints on top; the Saint’s Row and Saint’s Row Façade, all with marble chest and with images of Saints standing guard at the end of each cabin. 

Each of their units is good for bones and ashes. They can hold and accommodate two set of bones and four for ashes. Also, each tomb is provided with uniform nameplates indicating the name(s) of the deceased. And for our Lord God to bless more of their souls, Eucharistic Celebration is being held every Saturday. Family members may also request for a mass or blessing prior to internment.

Currently, depending on where the family wishes their loved ones to be, Columbarium’s donations range as follows:

The Resurrection Chapel

Wall of the Resurrection
Eye Level – P100,000.00
Above/Below Eye Level – P95,000.00

ARC of the Assumption
Eye Level – P80,000.00
Above/Below Eye Level – P75,000.00

Saint’s Row
Eye Level – P55,000.00
Above/Below Eye Level – P50,000.00

Saint’s Row Façade
Eye Level – P60,000.00
Above/Below Eye Level – P55,000.00

As per its use, different terms are applied depending on the chosen mode of donation. For Spot Cash, one can avail of 10% discount on the total donated amount. For Deferred Cash, a 5% discount is granted on the total donated amount, 20% down payment on total donated amount, with the remaining 80% payable within 90 days from the date of down payment. For installment, 20% of the total donated amount is required with the remaining 80% payable without interest in 12 equal monthly installments. 

Meanwhile, as per reservation, 1% of the total donated amount (price of unit) will be valid for 30 days only. After which, if no transaction is made, the forfeited amount will form part of other donations used in support of ongoing construction of Simbahan ng Santissima Trinidad.

With the presence of Columbarium at Simbahan ng Santissima Trinidad, it will not be painful to say that we’ll be able to come closer to gates of Heaven when the right time comes our way. And since it’s within God’s house of prayers, the Columbarium provides the stepping clouds we need to be at the right place. That is, right before our Creator.

For inquiries, please contact:
Parish of the Most Holy Trinity
Pastor Village, Pallocan West
Batangas City 4200
Phone: 
(043) 984 – 1109
(043) 723 – 6239
Fax Phone: (043) 984 – 1109
E-mail: mhtpbatangas@yahoo.com