Catmon Church Through The Years

    

The Beginning of Philippine-Spanish Architecture

The history of Philippine architecture under the Spanish regime begins with the arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi’s expedition in February 13, 1565, in Cebu island, together with the first batch of missionaries, The Augustinians. They built their first port in the country Fuerza de San Pedro now known as Fort San Pedro which became the Spanish trading outpost and stronghold for the region.

It was in the middle of 1580s the use of stones was introduced upon the discovery of stone quarries. The art of masonry was developed throughout the islands. Edifices began to be constructed of stone. Some were erected using shaped rocks and river stones. Bricks were also introduced. Different region uses different materials in building their Churches.

In Manila and central Luzon most of the buildings were made of a volcanic rock, mud and straw formed into rectangular blocks and dried in the sun. In northern Luzon brick was the essential building material; all the way down to Jolo, Sulu. Towns along the coasts of Luzon, especially from Zambales to Batangas, used roughly hewn blocks of coral stone. In the Bicol peninsula many construction took advantage of the abundant volcanic stone.

The craft of cutting stone or coral was virtually elevated into a fine art throughout the Visayas. Coral blocks fitted so accurately into each other not even a razor blade could be inserted between blocks, and was so durable that it did not have to be reinforced with anything.

More than three centuries of Spanish initiative, buildings of wood, stone, and

brick were constructed all over the archipelago, from the Batanes Islands in the north

to Tawi-Tawi in the south, from Palawan in the west to Samar in the east.

(Idea taken from http://nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph)

The 184 Years Old Church of Catmon

270 years later after Legaspi landed in Cebu, and 255 years after the stone quarry was discovered and made an integral part of the Spanish architectures, Catmon was separated from its mother parish Danao on November 2, 1835.

Cebu being part of the Visayas was known to be a place for these so-called fine crafters of cutting coral stones, no wonder Cebu’s Churches are mostly made of such precious stones, huge blocks of coral stones. When you see a church made out of this material, you can tell that this edifice is more than or a little less than 200 years old. These are the churches built by our ancestors during the Spanish era on which method no living creatures know, materials are near impossible to obtain, and skills no longer around.

Our Parish Church stands proudly and magnificently thriving above all odds brought about in 184 years of existence. The church was built with an adjacent convent, a school, and attached three-story belfry. The belfry, affording a good view of the surrounding land and sea, also used as watchtower. The bells performed many services for the community, the primary reason was to warn the parishioners of any impending danger, then, tolling the hours, calling the congregation to worship, and announcing important events. The School made of stone was called “Escuela Catolica”, remnants of this edifice can still be seen overlooking the sea and the provincial road. The old Spanish time convent was completely demolished to give way for the construction of a new rectory in 1956 during the time of Fr. Nicolas Navarro. It was also during his time that the first Church Altar renovation was implemented out of necessity. The belfry remains standing superbly as it was 184 years ago.

The main longitudinal body of the church is the nave, the central part, and is 33 fathoms long, 8 fathoms wide and 9 fathoms tall up to the ridge of its roof. The main entrance is through the huge wooden doors in front of the Church and four other wooden doors two on each side. To the left, as you enter the main door was the baptistery, where newly born babies were baptized into the Christian faith. The placing of the baptistery close to the entrance was symbolic of one’s entry into the Christian community.

Windows, I believe were made from the translucent capiz clam, which allowed light to filter through while at the same time acting as a protective barrier before it was replaced. The replacements however, are stained glass windows with different religious designs speak of evolution to progress again out of necessity.

At the far end of the sanctuary is the main altar, with its elaborate but simple design (the former). Behind the main altar was the sacristy, where the priest and his assistants put on their vestments before celebrating mass. The priest delivered his sermon from the pulpit, an elevated structure located at the side of the altar near the steps. The interior of the church is furnished with side altars, paintings, and carvings and sculptures of religious subjects, but everything was intended to focus attention on the tabernacle at the center of the main altar. One notable painting is found on the left side of the main entrance door right above the entrance to baptistery directly below the Choir Loft is said to be painted by Ricardo Avila, San Nicolas, Cebu on Dec.1937.

Parish Choirs performed at the loft just over the main entrance. Adjacent to the baptistery is the only access to the loft and belfry. All these are characteristics of a Spanish colonial tradition, which remind us of the immeasurable aspirations and unparalleled artistry of long-ago.

The Revolution of our Church Altar

Human, Time, and Nature, have conspired to erase this memory. Today,the outside wall of our church is in its original form, while inside have been spoiled by numerous developments. Tasteless Renovation which was followed by a magnificent Restoration and Preservation project in 1984 in time for the Jubilee Year. In 2018, another Unsavory Renovation of the Altar Ceiling and Wall, to me seems a cultural theater not a House of God. Again, another excessive renovation project proposal for the altar this year 2019 is in progress.

                                                                              1984                                                                                                                                                       2018                                                                              

                                                             2019 - Proposal

What’s next? In 2020?

I noticed only one set of elements gone missing, maybe because they were conspicuously standing above two opposing posts before the steps to the altar. Those exquisite Angels, where are they now? These, maybe just a few of many original items taken out of sight for reasons only those who have to do with it knows.

The Greatest Gift Ever

Why keep on changing the interior furnishing of our Church? If we want a modern looking Church, why don’t we build one? I know in my heart I can’t sway these people to reconsider, but at least I have tried, and am able to pour out my sentiments and the sentiments of those who don’t have a voice, and those who don’t have the audacity to join a long lonely quest for just preservation.

The greatest that ever gifted to us Catmonanons is our Church. I was and am very proud to talk about the amazing architectural feat of our Church. How the natives of Catmon along with the Spanish Augustinian Recollects built our Church 184 years ago. The materials used and the simple artistry applied outside and inside speaks of the Church itself, no need to elaborate.

I have seen a lot of excessively decorated Churches and they’re beautiful but extravagant, a solid reminder of how human twisted Jesus teachings on modesty. My sentiment is not about whom people support or what people prefers. My concern is about our Church being manipulated and abused by so many for so long. The idea of constant renovation already finds its way to the depths of the young generation minds and it will continue to grind until we see the last of these authentic features no more, gone forever.

The current parish priest alone renovated the altar in 2018 with audacious modifications. Many love the idea; maybe because they can no longer do anything but accept. I am one of those who believe in preservation of the past. Our Church is the last one standing, all the rest are but remnants of those glorious moments of the distant past. And again another project is looming around, maybe as of this writing the excessive altar renovation project proposal this year 2019 has already started. One parish priest, two major excessive altar “renovation” projects, is it not strange?

Another clergy will be assigned in the years to come, hopefully will not redesign and renovate the altar for the nth time. Renovation? What’s in this word? For me, I did not see improvement; all I see is destruction, vandalism, damage, defacement, despoliation, desecration, plunder, despoilment, exploitation… what else? Destroying the past comes in many faces. Renovation is one face regularly abused.

Catmonanon, suit yourself; this may be the last time you’ll see the interior original features of our church.  With the impending threat of massive interior renovation, our church will be one of those casualties of successive renovation which superimposes on the almost two centuries old defining features. Some are not seeing the importance of just maintaining or preserving the original aspects that convey the story of our past, the ancient splendid artistry so striking to ignore, but some give a little attention and fail to appreciate its unparalleled significance. So sad!

Adieu to whatever will be vandalized. Go fly with the Angels. Adieu!

 Fr. Gil Guardiario

I have nothing personal against Fr. Gil Guardiario. My first encounter with him was during the celebration of Flores De Mayo in 2015 of which I and my Wife were the respective Hermano-Hermana Mayors. He also celebrated a Mass on my Mother’s wake the night before the burial and again in my Mom’s burial, the third time I heard of him. In 2018 we were able to celebrate Catmon Fiesta with relatives, friends, and fellow Catmonanons. We attended the consecutive nine days early morning novenas, to honor our beloved Patron Saint William and in fulfillment of our personal commitment. With this, I heard Fr. Gil delivered his homily several times although I do not know him personally, his messages during the holy masses were enough for me to say that he is different from other priests just like Fr. Jonald Concha, worthy of my respect and admiration.

It’s the IDEA not the PERSON I am not in favor of. Just exercising my freedom of expression, I guess it is alive within the Roman Catholic Faith. After presenting a life story of our Patron Saint William and believing in that story all my middle life and found out later that the story is a hoax is dismay on my part. I lost a pound of trust in the people wearing the cloth and those surrounding them. Feeding false story is like making a fool out of the innocent faithful. My love and respect fading bit by bit, I can’t help it but let it out. The only reason I still go to Church is Jesus the Christ, it has been this way since childhood, grew up from a Catholic upbringing. Even if all priests lost their souls, I will still go to Church and pray. It is hard to be apologetic when you know you’re not at fault, but, if I offended anyone, I’m sorry… truly am.

God Bless!