Barasoain Church: Traces of History

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Article by Ralph_D, Dyka_E

Simabahang Barasoain.jpg

They named the Barasoain Church during the Spanish-Filipino Revolution when it became a meeting place for anti-Spanish and anti-colonial illustrados. It is the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. But it's more than just a typical Catholic church and parish; it represents or symbolizes faith, nationalism, history, and heroism.

History

Malolos congress.jpg

The church has served as a venue for various events, including drafting the First Philippine Congress and the Malolos Institutions. In 1899, and the inauguration of two Philippine presidents, General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the First Republic, and President Joseph Estrada, the thirteenth President of the Republic of the Philippines.

The capital of the Philippines was moved to Malolos, Bulacan, in 1898 during the reign of a revolutionary government. The Augustinian missionaries traveled via Calumpit to get to Barasoain from Pampanga. They observed a community that reminded them of the forest and the beauty of Barasoain in Navarra, Spain. [1]

The first Philippine Congress, also known as the Malolos Congress, headed by Don Pedro A. Paterno, was held at the Barasoain Church. As a result, the ratification of the Malolos Constitution in 1899 allowed for the establishment of the first Philippine republic. The church was dubbed the "Cradle of Democracy in the East."[2]

Church inaugurations have seen the swearing-in of only two Philippine presidents: General Emilio Aguinaldo, who led the revolutionary First Philippine Republic in 1899 (also known as the Malolos Republic), and former president Joseph Estrada, who took office in 1998, nearly a century later. Interestingly, neither President could complete their term: the first was held captive during the Philippine-American War, and the second was impeached during the EDSA People Power II Revolution, also known as EDSA Dos.

The Barasoain Museum houses historical and cultural treasures from the 1800s, and it is located next to the church in an interactive gallery. People preserve the aforementioned historical events in records and artifacts. The two most notable ones are a display of the Philippine Constitution and a glass engraving of the newspaper El Heraldo de la Revolution (Herald of the Revolution).

The convent of the Barasoain Church in Malolos is home to the Museum of the Republic of 1899 (Museo ng Republika ng 1899). Initially built in 1859 using nipa and bamboo, the church underwent two reconstructions. Today's visible structure was constructed in 1885 under Father Juan Giron, O.S.A.'s supervision, and is a prime example of Spanish colonial architecture.

Design

File:Barasoain Inside.jpg

The Barasoain Church in the Philippines is an example of the typical architectural style during the Spanish colonial period. Its design follows well-defined lines and draws inspiration from European historical styles, particularly the Baroque revival. The church's eclectic composition includes elements from Early Renaissance, Romanesque, and Neo-classic styles. The church's facade features a distinctive oval-based Baroque design, blending elements from Romanesque and Neo-classic styles for a harmonious composition.

The church has a single nave divided into three open aisles, supported by wooden posts. The ceilings were reconstructed in the late 1980s to replicate the original oval-arched design. The wooden retablo revealed the original stone altar. The floor was raised twice due to flooding, with baldoza tile replaced with granolithic topping and Bulacan marble veneers. The design influenced by Romanesque revival, features a rose window, arches, solid bell tower walls, machicolations, battlements, and a pointed pyramidal cap.

The second floor of the church, made entirely of timber, features local architectural features like capiz windows and transoms for natural light and ventilation. Hand-lathed window mullions add ornamental accents. High ceilings, a connecting corridor, a balcony, and a high-pitched roof enhance the structure's resilience to inclement weather. The church features a bell tower, an adoration chapel, a devotional chapel with candle racks, and several sculptures throughout the premises.


Artist "Ai Perez"

File:Ai Perez.jpg
Ai Perez

In 1968, he completed his degree in Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas. In 1984, he attended New York University's Art Students League and graduated from the Visual Arts School in 1996. He's realistically painting churches, houses, nipa huts, flowers, still lifes, and landscapes. The Philippine Post Office stamps were the inspiration for his paintings. In D.C., he hosted exhibits at the Philippine Trade Center. [3]

Painting

File:Barasoain Church, Water color on paper, 1972.jpg

According to Mr. Perez, "My favorite will always be the historical Barasoain Church. It already has different versions because it has been restored many times because of fire," he also shared that he should personally see a church to paint it. That's his trick in giving each of his paintings its own story and personal. Heritage churches and other religious subjects are on exhibit until March 16 at the Museo ng Republika ng 1899 in Malolos, Bulacan, or the Barasoain Church Historical Landmark Museum.

References:

External Links:

  1. ↑ https://www.barasoainchurch.org/about-us/malolos-congress?fbclid=IwAR2EmUJETUnW0eTLAOfLUPKBGC2GPjqqlBsFoJ0kVgHUuPJSxZxXuB0-CIo
  2. ↑ https://www.barasoainchurch.org/about-us/malolos-congress?fbclid=IwAR2EmUJETUnW0eTLAOfLUPKBGC2GPjqqlBsFoJ0kVgHUuPJSxZxXuB0-CIo
  3. ↑ https://www.onenews.ph/articles/al-perez-master-painter-of-heritage-churches-featured-in-exhibit-at-barasoain-church-museum
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