Barasoain Church: Traces of History
Article by Ralph_D
The Barasoain Church was named during the Spanish-Filipino Revolution, when the church 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 is a representation or symbol of faith, nationalism, history, and heroism.
History
The church has been used as a venue for a variety of events. over the years. The First Philippine Congress, the Malolos Constitutions drafted 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 goverment. 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.
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 Malolos Constitution was ratified in 1899. The first Philippine republic could be established after the constitution was ratified the church was dubbed as the "Cradle of Democracy in the East".
Only two Philippine presidents have been sworn in at church inaugurations: 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. It's interesting to note that neither president was able to complete his or her 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.
Historical and Cultural treasures from the 1800s are among those housed in the Barasoain Museum, an interactive gallery next to the church. The aforementioned historical events are preserved 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. The structure that is visible today was constructed in 1885 under Father Juan Giron, O.S.A.'s supervision and is a prime example of Spanish colonial architecture.
Artist
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 painting churches, houses, nipa huts, flowers, still lifes, and landscapes in a realistic way. The Philippine Post Office stamps were the inspiration for his paintings. In D.C., he hosted exhibits at the Philippine Trade Center.
Painting
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,” and he also shared that he should personally see a church in order to paint it. That's his trick in giving each 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, otherwise known as the Barasoain Church Historical Landmark Museum.
References:
- Malolos Congress. (n.d.).
https://www.barasoainchurch.org/about-us/malolos-congress?fbclid=IwAR2EmUJETUnW0eTLAOfLUPKBGC2GPjqqlBsFoJ0kVgHUuPJSxZxXuB0-CIo
- Banez, J. T.-. (n.d.). The historical Barasoain Church (built in 1630). Flickr.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Barasoain.jpg
- Al Perez,(n.d.). Master Painter Of Heritage Churches, Featured In Exhibit At Barasoain Church Museum
External Links:
- Barasoain Church – “Cradle of Democracy in the East.” (n.d.). Vigattin Tourism (ARTICLES) - Philippines.
https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Barasoain-Church-Cradle-of-Democracy-in-the-East