After visiting the well-known Obando Church (Test: San PAscual Baylon Parish), we headed subsequent to yet one more well-liked church in Bulacan. Devoted underneath the patronage of Our Girl of Assumption (now a Diocesan Shrine), Bulakan Church was based in 1578 making it one of many oldest and most traditionally important spiritual buildings within the province.
Apparently, Bulakan is likely one of the oldest cities within the Philippines. It was as soon as an encomienda or capital of the Provincia de la Pampanga, and later turned the primary capital of the Province of Bulacan. The city received its title is from the Tagalog phrase bulak, which implies cotton. It was named Bulakan as a result of abundance of cotton plant rising within the area. The Augustinians based Bulakan as one of many visitas of Convento de Tondo in 1575. It turned an impartial city in 1578 and a church and convent devoted to the Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion have been based. Bulakan Church was thought of the second oldest church within the province and the longest and widest by way of aisle size and span respectively.
Like many aged Spanish church buildings within the nation, Bulakan Church was additionally completely broken in quite a few event. As an example, the church was razed by hearth in the course of the British invasion in 1762. It was additionally broken by pure calamities together with the Luzon Earthquake in 1880. The church was additionally recognized for its historic significance. It’s the web site the place Filipino common Gregorio del Pilar secretly distributed the pamphlets made by his uncle, Marcelo H. del Pilar, a distinguished member of the Propaganda Motion in the course of the late 1800s. Along with that, The Our Girl of the Assumption Parish in Bulacan is credited with initiating the primary Flores de Mayo (or Flores de Maria) within the Philippines.
Structure-wise, Bulakan church has a really fascinating facade. The church’s exterior showcases a fusion of Neo-Byzantine, Romanesque, and Neo-Classical kinds. These intricate white patterns on its pediment seemingly has some Muslim type affect as effectively.
The whole facade stands on a stable base block, or plinth, offering a sturdy basis. Distinctive corbeled arches are current beneath the raking cornice and on the higher sections of the facet partitions. These arches are adorned with intricate carvings of scrolls, volutes, vines, and floral motifs.
Intricate particulars on the facade
The pediment
The pediment contains gildings that replicate Mudejar architectural influences, showcasing the cultural interaction in the course of the church’s development.
The primary entrance has three layers of receding arches which remind me of the one in Manila Cathedral.
Above the principle arch are three niches that enshrines three statues.
The middle area of interest options the picture of Nuestra Señora dela Assuncion (Our Girl of Assumption)
Picture of Santa Monica
Picture of Saint Augustine
Pediment
There was a distinct bell tower connected to the church, however was destroyed in the course of the earthquake of 1869. The current belfry was constructed in 1877 and is a novel, slender, stand-alone construction. It’s related to the nave by a coated walkway of masonry.
The bell tower of Bulakan Church
You may as well spot concrete saint statues mounted close to the pediment and bell tower
The 4 evangelists will be discovered surrounding the belltower
Statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul are mounted on each facet of the pediment
Located between the bell tower and the church is the Adoration Chapel
Historic Marker. Additionally it is essential to notice that the church was declared an Vital Cultural Property in 2016.
The gorgeous important door has intricate carvings on it. Throughout the current years, related modifications had been made to the church construction together with the substitute of the Mudejar-style important door with one depicting the historical past of the city and its patron saints achieved by native artist A. Magtoto.
Outdated Mudejar-style hardwood door at the moment displayed underneath the choir loft (Picture from JJ Carpio)
The inside of the church is equally mesmerizing.
The very intricate altar options a number of niches. The middle area of interest enshrines the gorgeous picture of Nuestra Señora dela Asuncion. Beside the Our Girl of Assumption are the statues of Santa Monica and Saint Augustine whereas the remainder of the niches are occupied by the Apostles. The uppermost area of interest options the picture of Santo Niño (probably a duplicate of Santo Niño de Malolos)
Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion ( Our Girl of Assumption)
Santo Niño de Malolos
Santa Monica
San Augustine
Saint Andrew the Apostle
Guests, devotees and parishioners might also entry the again of the altar to the touch the picture of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion
The view from the again of the altar.
There are additionally a number of facet altars displaying numerous saints.
One picture specifically has an enormous function in Philippine historical past. The picture of La Virgen de la Medalla Milagrosa (Our Girl of Miraculous Medal) was the primary Marian picture to be honored in the course of the month lengthy celebration of Flores de Mayo.
Attention-grabbing reality: the primary Flores de Mayo was truly held on this city. Flores de Mayo began in 1865 when Padre Mariano Sevilla wrote the “Dalit kay Maria” or the Flores de Mayo Bulacan.In 1867, he wrote “Mariquit na Bulaclac na sa Pagninilaynilay sa Buong Buan nang Mayo ay Inihahandog nang Manga Devoto cay Maria Santisima.” This led to the recognition of the celebration
The primary every day floral providing and different actions for the “Flores de Mayo” was all held on the Parish Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion”
Fr. Sevilla additionally based the Hijas de Maria who will take cost of all of the actions.
To pay tribute to this essential contribution, a bust statue of Padre Mariano Sevilla will be discovered exterior the church
That is accompanied by one other bust statue of Padre Mariano Pilapil, one other Filipino Catholic priest, greatest recognized for his important contribution to Filipino spiritual literature by means of his involvement with the Pasyón, a devotional epic poem narrating the fervour, demise, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
This publish is a part of my Bulacan Pilgrimage 2022 sequence. Be happy to revisit my earlier articles
You may additionally wish to go to my articles about different church buildings in Bulacan
Different locations to go to in Bulacan
References: Church Wanderer / Wikipedia / Joey Meneses Rodrigo / Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion