Another art exhibit was held on December 12-23, 2011 at the Malabon City Hall Lobby entitled "Malabon: Noon at Ngayon" (Pagtatanghal ng mga Likhang Sining sa Pintura at Iskultura ng Grupong Sining Tambobong ng Malabon).
You may view some paintings from the exhibit at:
Sining Tambobong Art Exhibit
XXX
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Lusungin ang Malabon!
At last. I finally got to join the Malabon Heritage Tour, aptly called "LUSUNGIN ANG MALABON!" Loosely translated, the title says: Wade, Plunge, Dip or Immerse into Malabon -- an allusion to its perennial flooding problem -- and such was the participants' experience figuratively on that sunny Saturday of October 15, 2011.
Now on its eighth year, the tour was an appealing sampler of our hometown's food, art and heritage that took us around the old District of Malabon where the old churches and some ancestral houses are clustered. We met up at Pescadores Restaurant. There, Leona Nepomuceno, Atty. Monchet Lucas and Archt. Richard Bautista of the Malabon heritage group gave us an overview of the tour. Mr. Ivan Henares, Vice President of the Heritage Conservation Society who had joined the tour before, gave a few remarks.
Ms. Gemma Cruz-Araneta, Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society, led a group of its members in doing the tour. Art historian Jack Pilar was also with the group. They were joined by a few locals led by Councilor Maricar Torres and art & antique collector Tony Gutierrez. Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks joined us midway through the tour.
Our tour stops included:
SOME THOUGHTS AT A TIRING DAY'S END
Up to just a year ago, the only heritage houses I knew about in Malabon were the ones in my old neighborhood of Barangay Concepcion and the ones that were along the way going to and from Bayan. So that when I first found Richard Bautista's site (see link posted at the sidebar of this blog), I was amazed at how many heritage houses we have! I didn't even realize that the Immaculate Conception Parish Church of which I was a parishioner for more than 20 years was built during Spanish times. And I certainly didn't know until only late last year, that right on Rizal Avenue where my school was located, there used to be railroad tracks where the historic tranvia used to pass.
Well, I certainly managed to live much of my life blissfully ignorant about such things. After all, I didn't need that kind of information in my day-to-day life as student, then career woman, wife and mother. But having gone around Malabon this past year and in the process discovering/rediscovering her rich history and heritage, food, art and culture -- I now know what I've missed.
I am only now discovering her soul: the different people, places, traditions and events; the objects and structures past and present, that shaped her and gave her character, a unique identity. For me, this is an important endeavor. Why? Because Malabon has changed so much that I often don't recognize her anymore. Whenever I walk her streets I wish I could always say I like how she's changed. But finding these heritage structures, learning Malabon's history, rediscovering her food, immersing in her art and culture -- I am consoled that despite what has become her dowdy exterior, much of her inner beauty remains. An inner beauty trapped within her core by years of apathy and neglect.
Thankfully, all that now appears to be changing. The move to peel away those layers of apathy has begun and Malabon's inner beauty has a chance to shine through. Those tours and the art exhibits organized over the last few years by the Malabon heritage group of Monchet Lucas, Richard Bautista, Leona Nepomuceno and Terry de Jesus started it all, and continue to be an inspiration and a catalyst.
We are seeing a renewed interest in Malabon, not only on the part of those who still live in the city, but also those living elsewhere who call Malabon their hometown and are looking at her with nostalgic hearts. Ancestral house-owners now seem to realize the heritage treasure under their wings, and some have undertaken repair & repainting. Photo hobbyists, food enthusiasts, art lovers and local tourists -- some now add Malabon as a destination that's both interesting, inexpensive, and close by. No, not yet in the league of Manila or Vigan, but, we are heading in a direction that is at the very least, hopeful.
I hope we can continue taking those baby steps, because heritage matters -- it enriches our lives, helps us define who we are, and lets us be proud of ourselves as a people. We can look confidently to our future if we value where we've been.
Just as importantly, preserving our heritage, just like protecting the environment, is good stewardship of a gift. It is a precious legacy that we can pass on to future generations. By giving them faithful glimpses into the past, they, too, can discover their identity, be enriched, and move forward with pride, hope and confidence.
Tara na, LUSUNGIN ANG MALABON..!
Now on its eighth year, the tour was an appealing sampler of our hometown's food, art and heritage that took us around the old District of Malabon where the old churches and some ancestral houses are clustered. We met up at Pescadores Restaurant. There, Leona Nepomuceno, Atty. Monchet Lucas and Archt. Richard Bautista of the Malabon heritage group gave us an overview of the tour. Mr. Ivan Henares, Vice President of the Heritage Conservation Society who had joined the tour before, gave a few remarks.
Ms. Gemma Cruz-Araneta, Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society, led a group of its members in doing the tour. Art historian Jack Pilar was also with the group. They were joined by a few locals led by Councilor Maricar Torres and art & antique collector Tony Gutierrez. Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks joined us midway through the tour.
Our tour stops included:
- SAN BARTOLOME CHURCH and CEMETERY - the oldest church in Malabon dating back to the Spanish era with its portico of Ionic columns that remind us of a Greek temple
- The old MUNICIPALES - its adobe remnants are found at the entrance of the Tanong Integrated School
- The roof deck of City Hall for an unrivalled BIRD'S EYE-VIEW OF MALABON
- BETSY'S CAKE CENTER - known for its delicious broas, a take-home must
- PAEZ HOUSE - a Spanish era house with its simple facade but very cozy interior
- BORJA HOUSE- one of the most beautiful and well-preserved heritage houses in Malabon
- Immaculate Conception Parish Church - another church built during the colonial period
- The original site of DOLOR'S KAKANIN - since this is where all the luscious kakanin is cooked, you can sometimes request what particular kinds of kakanin you want on your bilao
- CONCEPCION BAKERY - known for its pianono roll
- The gallery of MR. ANGEL CACNIO, multi-awarded artist of Malabon
- Remnant of the Spanish-era TABACALERA at the Malabon Elementary School
- RIVERA HOUSE - unique for its villa setting and its owners' efforts to preserve their heritage by jacking up the house
- RUFINA PATIS - a proudly Malabon product adding rich flavour to our favorite dishes in its more than one hundred years' existence
- MARTINEZ HOUSE - another one of Malabon's beautiful, well-preserved heritage houses
- RAYMUNDO HOUSE - said to be the oldest house in Malabon with its original stone gateway reminiscent of the portals of Intramuros
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Up to just a year ago, the only heritage houses I knew about in Malabon were the ones in my old neighborhood of Barangay Concepcion and the ones that were along the way going to and from Bayan. So that when I first found Richard Bautista's site (see link posted at the sidebar of this blog), I was amazed at how many heritage houses we have! I didn't even realize that the Immaculate Conception Parish Church of which I was a parishioner for more than 20 years was built during Spanish times. And I certainly didn't know until only late last year, that right on Rizal Avenue where my school was located, there used to be railroad tracks where the historic tranvia used to pass.
Well, I certainly managed to live much of my life blissfully ignorant about such things. After all, I didn't need that kind of information in my day-to-day life as student, then career woman, wife and mother. But having gone around Malabon this past year and in the process discovering/rediscovering her rich history and heritage, food, art and culture -- I now know what I've missed.
I am only now discovering her soul: the different people, places, traditions and events; the objects and structures past and present, that shaped her and gave her character, a unique identity. For me, this is an important endeavor. Why? Because Malabon has changed so much that I often don't recognize her anymore. Whenever I walk her streets I wish I could always say I like how she's changed. But finding these heritage structures, learning Malabon's history, rediscovering her food, immersing in her art and culture -- I am consoled that despite what has become her dowdy exterior, much of her inner beauty remains. An inner beauty trapped within her core by years of apathy and neglect.
Thankfully, all that now appears to be changing. The move to peel away those layers of apathy has begun and Malabon's inner beauty has a chance to shine through. Those tours and the art exhibits organized over the last few years by the Malabon heritage group of Monchet Lucas, Richard Bautista, Leona Nepomuceno and Terry de Jesus started it all, and continue to be an inspiration and a catalyst.
We are seeing a renewed interest in Malabon, not only on the part of those who still live in the city, but also those living elsewhere who call Malabon their hometown and are looking at her with nostalgic hearts. Ancestral house-owners now seem to realize the heritage treasure under their wings, and some have undertaken repair & repainting. Photo hobbyists, food enthusiasts, art lovers and local tourists -- some now add Malabon as a destination that's both interesting, inexpensive, and close by. No, not yet in the league of Manila or Vigan, but, we are heading in a direction that is at the very least, hopeful.
I hope we can continue taking those baby steps, because heritage matters -- it enriches our lives, helps us define who we are, and lets us be proud of ourselves as a people. We can look confidently to our future if we value where we've been.
Just as importantly, preserving our heritage, just like protecting the environment, is good stewardship of a gift. It is a precious legacy that we can pass on to future generations. By giving them faithful glimpses into the past, they, too, can discover their identity, be enriched, and move forward with pride, hope and confidence.
Tara na, LUSUNGIN ANG MALABON..!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Asilo de Huerfanos: remembrance of Malabon's historical heritage
You see it in the distance as you look out to Barangay Longos on Tonsuya bridge: a seemingly dark and forlorn structure, the dark green roof its only acquiecense to color. But don’t let its dismal exterior deceive you.
This is ASILO DE HUERFANOS – today bereft of its past grandeur but an important remembrance nevertheless of Malabon’s historical heritage.
On October 20, 1882 a strong typhoon that blew away rooftops and destroyed concrete houses in Malabon was followed by cholera and beri-beri outbreaks in November of the same year. The epidemic took so many lives that the government had to dig a huge pit to serve as a common grave. To house the orphans of that plague, the Augustinians approved the plan to build a new house on General Borromeo Street in Barangay Longos. 1
The Augustinian council advanced 87,000 pesos to defray the total cost of the project which was estimated at 275,326 pesos. Doña Crisanta Tongco donated the land and 40,000 pesos in cash. Architect Jesus Hervas drew the plans.
On February 1, 1890 the ASILO DE HUERFANOS was officially inaugurated as an orphanage and as a school for boys and girls. It had a printing press, lithography and binding room, spacious halls for shops and laboratories, sewing and embroidery facilities for girls, and a library. 2
Accounts differ as to the revolutionary newspapers that were said to have been published at the printing press of ASILO DE HUERFANOS. Fr. Pedro Galende, who wrote a book on Augustinian churches in the Philippines, states that the first issues of "La Independencia" were printed at the ASILO. But Nonoy Marcelo, in his book about Malabon, wrote it was "La Libertad" that was published here, and that General Luna merely put the address of ASILO DE HUERFANOS on the masthead of "La Independencia" to mislead the Americans in 1898. In a separate article, Prof. Ricardo T. Jose said the same thing as Marcelo about "La Independencia," adding that the newspaper was actually published in Manila. 3
But just as the Augustinians were starting to operate the printing press, the revolution broke out. General Emilio Aguinaldo's forces seized the building. Later in 1899 the buildings were burned during the battle between Filipino and American forces. 2
THE ASILO TODAY
HOW ABOUT TOMORROW?
In Malabon today there are only a few structures left that date back to the Spanish era.
Some are mere ruins, like the palduhan (warehouse) of our hometown's sugar-processing past. Another -the old Tabacalera factory from Malabon's cigar-making days- is within the Malabon Elementary School compound, in a state of disrepair, and faces the prospect of demolition to make way for a more modern school building.
The old churches that could have been sentinels of Malabon’s glorious past -- San Bartolome Church, 1813; Dampalit Church, 1860; and Immaculate Conception Church, 1886 -- have been renovated over the years with little to show of the original.
The only colonial era structure I've seen so far that has been preserved is the Raymundo House on C. Arellano Street with its impressive adobe portal.
The ASILO DE HUERFANOS is in a category of its own. Despite a number of changes from the original and its present state of disrepair, the adobe structures are still intact. With vision, a strong sense of legacy, funding, and expert supervision, the ASILO can still be preserved for adaptive re-use. It is located in a sprawling compound of its own, which makes the prospect of historic preservation even more exciting. But some portions of the ASILO's interiors are continuously under water, which could be eroding the structures. There's an urgent need to do something about this.
What will the future hold for this piece of Philippine history that's right in Malabon's own backyard? With its immense historical value not only to Malabon, I hope that the ASILO DE HUERFANOS will be preserved and given the stature it deserves.
As with all our other heritage structures, the ASILO is a precious link to the past, to our collective journey as a people. We should not break these links to our heritage, nor consign them to
oblivion.
...If only for the sake of future generations.
NOTE: Color pictures taken in May 2011.
This is ASILO DE HUERFANOS – today bereft of its past grandeur but an important remembrance nevertheless of Malabon’s historical heritage.
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A LOOK AT THE PASTOn October 20, 1882 a strong typhoon that blew away rooftops and destroyed concrete houses in Malabon was followed by cholera and beri-beri outbreaks in November of the same year. The epidemic took so many lives that the government had to dig a huge pit to serve as a common grave. To house the orphans of that plague, the Augustinians approved the plan to build a new house on General Borromeo Street in Barangay Longos. 1
The Augustinian council advanced 87,000 pesos to defray the total cost of the project which was estimated at 275,326 pesos. Doña Crisanta Tongco donated the land and 40,000 pesos in cash. Architect Jesus Hervas drew the plans.
On February 1, 1890 the ASILO DE HUERFANOS was officially inaugurated as an orphanage and as a school for boys and girls. It had a printing press, lithography and binding room, spacious halls for shops and laboratories, sewing and embroidery facilities for girls, and a library. 2
Accounts differ as to the revolutionary newspapers that were said to have been published at the printing press of ASILO DE HUERFANOS. Fr. Pedro Galende, who wrote a book on Augustinian churches in the Philippines, states that the first issues of "La Independencia" were printed at the ASILO. But Nonoy Marcelo, in his book about Malabon, wrote it was "La Libertad" that was published here, and that General Luna merely put the address of ASILO DE HUERFANOS on the masthead of "La Independencia" to mislead the Americans in 1898. In a separate article, Prof. Ricardo T. Jose said the same thing as Marcelo about "La Independencia," adding that the newspaper was actually published in Manila. 3
But just as the Augustinians were starting to operate the printing press, the revolution broke out. General Emilio Aguinaldo's forces seized the building. Later in 1899 the buildings were burned during the battle between Filipino and American forces. 2
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| Vintage photos from the San Bartolome Parish Souvenir Program 1994 |
XXX
THE ASILO TODAY
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| Located on General Borromeo Street in Barangay Longos, the ASILO became the Philippine Tannery Company Incorporated, said to process imported leather which was in turn supplied to local manufacturers of leather goods. The tannery has since been closed down. |
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| These are apparently the vats where the raw leather was soaked in chemicals and dyes at the tannery. The ground floor is still made of the original adobe stone, while the second floor was already reconstructed. |
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| The interiors are continuously flooded. |
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| The structure at the back with the green roof is what can be seen from Tonsuya bridge. |
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| The caretaker said many years ago they found skeletal remains of children buried within the grounds. |
HOW ABOUT TOMORROW?
In Malabon today there are only a few structures left that date back to the Spanish era.
Some are mere ruins, like the palduhan (warehouse) of our hometown's sugar-processing past. Another -the old Tabacalera factory from Malabon's cigar-making days- is within the Malabon Elementary School compound, in a state of disrepair, and faces the prospect of demolition to make way for a more modern school building.
The old churches that could have been sentinels of Malabon’s glorious past -- San Bartolome Church, 1813; Dampalit Church, 1860; and Immaculate Conception Church, 1886 -- have been renovated over the years with little to show of the original.
The only colonial era structure I've seen so far that has been preserved is the Raymundo House on C. Arellano Street with its impressive adobe portal.
The ASILO DE HUERFANOS is in a category of its own. Despite a number of changes from the original and its present state of disrepair, the adobe structures are still intact. With vision, a strong sense of legacy, funding, and expert supervision, the ASILO can still be preserved for adaptive re-use. It is located in a sprawling compound of its own, which makes the prospect of historic preservation even more exciting. But some portions of the ASILO's interiors are continuously under water, which could be eroding the structures. There's an urgent need to do something about this.
What will the future hold for this piece of Philippine history that's right in Malabon's own backyard? With its immense historical value not only to Malabon, I hope that the ASILO DE HUERFANOS will be preserved and given the stature it deserves.
1
From Tambobong to City of Malabon, by Nonoy Marcelo, 2004.
2 Angels in Stone - Augustinian Churches in the Philippines, by Fr. Pedro G. Galende, 1996.
2 Angels in Stone - Augustinian Churches in the Philippines, by Fr. Pedro G. Galende, 1996.
3
The Philippine revolutionary press, 1896-1900, by Ricardo T. Jose.
NOTE: Color pictures taken in May 2011.
XXX
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Insular-Yebana Cigar Plant: One last look and then goodbye
I've passed by the INSULAR-YEBANA CIGAR PLANT building since I was a kid but never paid much attention to it. Because it was located along the commercial/industrial area of Governor Pascual Avenue in Barangay Acacia, I regarded it as just another plant or factory that has made Malabon its base over the years.
But when I learned about the big Tabacalera factory that used to operate in Barangay Hulo during Spanish times, it was only then that it registered in my mind that cigar and cigarette-making really used to be such big business in Malabon. Judge Salvador Sevilla, in fact, stated that "These cigar makers were the pride of Malabon at that time and in the years following up to the time the cigars business lost in its competition with the highly advertised American cigarettes." 1
That realization made me look at the INSULAR-YEBANA CIGAR PLANT structure with renewed interest. One of these days, I thought, I'll get around to finding out more about it, in light of Malabon's cigar-making history.
Then my husband came home last week with news that the INSULAR-YEBANA structure will soon be demolished because the whole compound had been sold, so I figured I'd better go and have one last look before they tear it down.
INSULAR-YEBANA's cigar factory stopped manufacturing in the 1970s, while its cigarette factory closed down in 1989. After the tobacco business, INSULAR-YEBANA went into real estate and warehousing, with different businesses renting warehouses within the INSULAR-YEBANA compound. The above facade is the only remnant of its tobacco operations and the rest of the structures found in the compound are all leased warehouses. Now that the property has been sold to a mall developer, the different businesses will be moving out and that vintage facade will soon be gone for good -- to become just another one of Malabon's historical memories.
1 History of Malabon-Navotas, by Salvador Sevilla, Santos Tiangco, 1976.
XXX
But when I learned about the big Tabacalera factory that used to operate in Barangay Hulo during Spanish times, it was only then that it registered in my mind that cigar and cigarette-making really used to be such big business in Malabon. Judge Salvador Sevilla, in fact, stated that "These cigar makers were the pride of Malabon at that time and in the years following up to the time the cigars business lost in its competition with the highly advertised American cigarettes." 1
That realization made me look at the INSULAR-YEBANA CIGAR PLANT structure with renewed interest. One of these days, I thought, I'll get around to finding out more about it, in light of Malabon's cigar-making history.
Then my husband came home last week with news that the INSULAR-YEBANA structure will soon be demolished because the whole compound had been sold, so I figured I'd better go and have one last look before they tear it down.
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| Goodbye to one of the last few remnants of Malabon's cigar-making past. |
XXX
The INSULAR-YEBANA TOBACCO CORPORATION was established in the 1930s. Its first factory was located at the corner of M.H. del Pilar and Cobre streets in Barangay Tugatog. During its peak, INSULAR-YEBANA was said to be the number one native cigarette maker. Some of its popular cigarette brands were "Liwayway," "Empress," "Quiapo," and "La Yebana." The company used to grow their own tobacco in Ilocos and Isabela which were brought to the plant for processing.INSULAR-YEBANA's cigar factory stopped manufacturing in the 1970s, while its cigarette factory closed down in 1989. After the tobacco business, INSULAR-YEBANA went into real estate and warehousing, with different businesses renting warehouses within the INSULAR-YEBANA compound. The above facade is the only remnant of its tobacco operations and the rest of the structures found in the compound are all leased warehouses. Now that the property has been sold to a mall developer, the different businesses will be moving out and that vintage facade will soon be gone for good -- to become just another one of Malabon's historical memories.
1 History of Malabon-Navotas, by Salvador Sevilla, Santos Tiangco, 1976.
XXX
Thursday, July 14, 2011
A favorite treat: Nelia's Halo-Halo
A delicious glassful of NELIA'S HALO-HALO -- now here's another treat I love!
We started enjoying NELIA'S special halo-halo nearly three decades ago. We loved that they cooked the native sweets themselves so these were always just right. Coming from my Dad's house in Concepcion, we sometimes make a side trip to Tinajeros before going home to Potrero, just to have a glass. Other times, my husband drops by NELIA'S for take-out, so we can enjoy their halo-halo at home. I've spent many contented moments relaxing on the sofa while enjoying this treat - that it is easily high on my list of comfort food.
NELIA'S Halo-Halo was established in 1960 and it was named after the late Nelia Ramos. Her husband Virgilio still runs the original NELIA'S in Malabon, along with a branch they've put up in Boracay. NELIA'S also serves pancit and lugaw.
We started enjoying NELIA'S special halo-halo nearly three decades ago. We loved that they cooked the native sweets themselves so these were always just right. Coming from my Dad's house in Concepcion, we sometimes make a side trip to Tinajeros before going home to Potrero, just to have a glass. Other times, my husband drops by NELIA'S for take-out, so we can enjoy their halo-halo at home. I've spent many contented moments relaxing on the sofa while enjoying this treat - that it is easily high on my list of comfort food.
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| A refreshing treat composed of home-cooked garbanzos, beans, mongo, macapuno, langka, leche flan, milk and shaved ice topped by ice cream. |
NELIA'S Halo-Halo was established in 1960 and it was named after the late Nelia Ramos. Her husband Virgilio still runs the original NELIA'S in Malabon, along with a branch they've put up in Boracay. NELIA'S also serves pancit and lugaw.
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| NELIA'S SPECIAL HALO-HALO at 90 Sanchez St. cor. Sevilla St., Barangay Tinajeros, Malabon City. Tel. 287.22.61. |
XXX
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Jose Rizal in Malabon and in our hearts
I've admired our national hero Jose Rizal as far back as my high school days when we were made to memorize "Mi Ultimo Adios" for Spanish class.
For one thing, he had a very impressive resume. I felt then, as I still do now, that no one from among our countrymen - even from the entire Malay race, it seems - could even come close to all the talents and attributes Rizal has been known for. 1/ And, I was totally taken by "Mi Ultimo Adios," where, on the eve of his execution, he poured out his love and devotion to his country in breathtaking poetry. I said to myself, wow, this man is amazing. He's about to die in a few hours - very unjustly, too - and this is what's in his heart. 2/
An impressive resume and a magnificent farewell paean were just part of his allure: he had that quality of greatness that set him head and shoulders above all the other heroes who walked the long arduous path for our country's freedom. He was a man of intelligence and means, extremely gifted, who could have chosen to live a comfortable existence pursuing life's pleasures; but he chose instead to live and die for his country. In the 35 years, 6 months and 11 days of his life, Rizal achieved what most men twice his age never would in their lifetime. Herein lay his greatness -- it was not so much because of his many gifts; I believe it was more because of the choices he made and why he made them.
Which is why I'm so happy and proud that five decades ago, on the occasion of Rizal's 100th birth anniversary, our hometown Malabon chose to remember and celebrate this great Filipino by putting up a monument to him at Plaza Rodriguez, Barangay San Agustin.
Now that we're celebrating Rizal's 150th birth anniversary, this monument becomes a focal point once more for all of us to remember and be inspired.
RIZAL IN MALABON
The monument was from an effigy designed by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino. The arc and pedestal were done by Engr. Angel Lazaro, Jr. and the statue was carved by Federico Alfato. 3/
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The monument was put up through the efforts of the Knights of Rizal, whose members made the rounds of prominent people in Malabon and Navotas in order to raise funds. According to Angeles Santos in his book "Ang Malabon," during their rounds, a foreigner offered to pay for the entire cost of the monument as long as the marker would indicate that he alone paid for it. The committee did not accept his offer as it was inappropriate that a foreigner should pay for Rizal's monument. 3/
RIZAL AND MALABON
It seems that Malabon somehow found a place in Rizal's consciousness because the character Capitan Tiago from his novel "Noli Me Tangere" was supposed to be "the only son of a sugar merchant in Malabon." (Chapter 6, "Capital Tiago," Noli Me Tangere). 4/
Malabon is mentioned again twice in Chapter 7, "Idyll at the Azotea," of the Noli.
It is also believed that the fictitious town of San Diego in the Noli was a composite of the towns of Binan, Calamba and Malabon. A historical entry in 1894 says that Rizal went to the house of Don Pedro Camus in Malabon to meet the Masons for the purpose of reuniting them. It would thus seem that Rizal had some familiarity with the town of Malabon and its people. 5/
RIZAL IN OUR HEARTS
Is Rizal today still relevant? Or has he become nothing more than just another hero from another era, a hero we can't feel connected to anymore?
I believe that relevance is something subjective: you can't box in or label something as relevant and force it on anyone. You can read or listen to 100 reasons why Rizal is still relevant but if those 100 reasons just stay in your head and don't reach your heart, it doesn't matter: Rizal just won't be relevant to you.
But I still hope that every Filipino will take the time or care enough to read or listen to the 100 reasons, because I believe that somewhere, somehow, there'll be a part of us deep down that can relate to Rizal in some way, even though he seems so "up there" on a pedestal and so "out there" in the distant past.
There is, after all, a thread of shared humanity that runs through time and space and binds us all - past, present and future. Rizal can thus be relatable and relevant - but only if we open our hearts and let him be.
In the end, I can only hope that more Filipinos will begin to see Rizal in a new light: that Rizal represents the best in us.
And even though we can never hope to be all that he was or achieve everything that he did, he can be and we should let him be, the beacon that helps us keep our shadows behind us - whether as an individual or as a people.
References:
1/ The Jose Rizal website: The Many-Sided Personality
2/ Mi Ultimo Adios - Dr. Jose Rizal
3/ Ang Malabon (Kaipunan ng Mahahalagang Kasulatan Tungkol sa Bayang Malabon, Lalawigan ng Rizal),
by Angeles S. Santos, 1975.
4/ The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Social Cancer (Noli Me Tangere) by Jose Rizal
5/ From Tambobong to City of Malabon by Nonoy Marcelo, 1974.
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For one thing, he had a very impressive resume. I felt then, as I still do now, that no one from among our countrymen - even from the entire Malay race, it seems - could even come close to all the talents and attributes Rizal has been known for. 1/ And, I was totally taken by "Mi Ultimo Adios," where, on the eve of his execution, he poured out his love and devotion to his country in breathtaking poetry. I said to myself, wow, this man is amazing. He's about to die in a few hours - very unjustly, too - and this is what's in his heart. 2/
An impressive resume and a magnificent farewell paean were just part of his allure: he had that quality of greatness that set him head and shoulders above all the other heroes who walked the long arduous path for our country's freedom. He was a man of intelligence and means, extremely gifted, who could have chosen to live a comfortable existence pursuing life's pleasures; but he chose instead to live and die for his country. In the 35 years, 6 months and 11 days of his life, Rizal achieved what most men twice his age never would in their lifetime. Herein lay his greatness -- it was not so much because of his many gifts; I believe it was more because of the choices he made and why he made them.
Which is why I'm so happy and proud that five decades ago, on the occasion of Rizal's 100th birth anniversary, our hometown Malabon chose to remember and celebrate this great Filipino by putting up a monument to him at Plaza Rodriguez, Barangay San Agustin.
Now that we're celebrating Rizal's 150th birth anniversary, this monument becomes a focal point once more for all of us to remember and be inspired.
RIZAL IN MALABON
The monument was from an effigy designed by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino. The arc and pedestal were done by Engr. Angel Lazaro, Jr. and the statue was carved by Federico Alfato. 3/
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| The arc or parabola makes this monument unique and serves as an excellent frame for the statue. |
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| Rizal the educator. This statue serves to remind us that Rizal considered the youth "the hope of the Fatherland." |
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The monument was put up through the efforts of the Knights of Rizal, whose members made the rounds of prominent people in Malabon and Navotas in order to raise funds. According to Angeles Santos in his book "Ang Malabon," during their rounds, a foreigner offered to pay for the entire cost of the monument as long as the marker would indicate that he alone paid for it. The committee did not accept his offer as it was inappropriate that a foreigner should pay for Rizal's monument. 3/
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| The Rizal monument c. 1963 at the town plaza. (Photo from Arch. Richard Bautista and the Malabon City Library) |
RIZAL AND MALABON
It seems that Malabon somehow found a place in Rizal's consciousness because the character Capitan Tiago from his novel "Noli Me Tangere" was supposed to be "the only son of a sugar merchant in Malabon." (Chapter 6, "Capital Tiago," Noli Me Tangere). 4/
Malabon is mentioned again twice in Chapter 7, "Idyll at the Azotea," of the Noli.
It is also believed that the fictitious town of San Diego in the Noli was a composite of the towns of Binan, Calamba and Malabon. A historical entry in 1894 says that Rizal went to the house of Don Pedro Camus in Malabon to meet the Masons for the purpose of reuniting them. It would thus seem that Rizal had some familiarity with the town of Malabon and its people. 5/
RIZAL IN OUR HEARTS
Is Rizal today still relevant? Or has he become nothing more than just another hero from another era, a hero we can't feel connected to anymore?
I believe that relevance is something subjective: you can't box in or label something as relevant and force it on anyone. You can read or listen to 100 reasons why Rizal is still relevant but if those 100 reasons just stay in your head and don't reach your heart, it doesn't matter: Rizal just won't be relevant to you.
But I still hope that every Filipino will take the time or care enough to read or listen to the 100 reasons, because I believe that somewhere, somehow, there'll be a part of us deep down that can relate to Rizal in some way, even though he seems so "up there" on a pedestal and so "out there" in the distant past.
There is, after all, a thread of shared humanity that runs through time and space and binds us all - past, present and future. Rizal can thus be relatable and relevant - but only if we open our hearts and let him be.
In the end, I can only hope that more Filipinos will begin to see Rizal in a new light: that Rizal represents the best in us.
And even though we can never hope to be all that he was or achieve everything that he did, he can be and we should let him be, the beacon that helps us keep our shadows behind us - whether as an individual or as a people.
References:
1/ The Jose Rizal website: The Many-Sided Personality
2/ Mi Ultimo Adios - Dr. Jose Rizal
3/ Ang Malabon (Kaipunan ng Mahahalagang Kasulatan Tungkol sa Bayang Malabon, Lalawigan ng Rizal),
by Angeles S. Santos, 1975.
4/ The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Social Cancer (Noli Me Tangere) by Jose Rizal
5/ From Tambobong to City of Malabon by Nonoy Marcelo, 1974.
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Friday, May 20, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Then and now: The view from Tonsuya Bridge
Many of us are already familiar with this popular vintage photo of a street scene in Malabon:
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| Street scene - the view from Tonsuya Bridge, c. mid-1890s to early 1900s |
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Most every one recognizes that, with the San Bartolome Church in the background, this must have been the view from Tonsuya Bridge probably in the mid-1890s to early 1900s when electricity was already available in the Philippines.
Those were the times when the horse-drawn calesa was the primary means of transport around town... the tranvia was still operating from Manila to Malabon (the tranvia was in use until World War II)... houses typically had steep roofs like the original "bahay kubo" (nipa hut) ... and trees were all around the place giving shade and fresh air to residents.
I couldn't resist the temptation, of course, to "update" this image, by taking a shot from Tonsuya bridge today - although not from the middle of the road like the vintage photo, for obvious reasons.
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| Street scene - the view from Tonsuya Bridge today. |
If the "kutsero" (calesa driver) in the vintage photo had the ability to time-travel from the 1900s to today like Michael J. Fox did in the movie "Back to the Future" - I'm sure he would have been shocked at how immensely this street scene has changed!
Nothing, it seems, has been left untouched by time and the vicissitudes of man. Certainly not Tonsuya bridge itself, nor the houses and the means of transport. Nor the people on the street that animate what would otherwise have been a still-life of our hometown.
And not even San Bartolome Church - mute witness and would-have-been/could-have-been sentinel of this gracious town's proud heritage, having been in existence itself for nearly four centuries.
In the end, there is only one element in both pictures that has not changed at all, and thankfully, never will in this world's lifetime.
The only thing that did not change was the sky.
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Barangay Bayan-Bayanan and Maysilo
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Still on my Malabon fiesta tour....
BARANGAY BAYAN-BAYANAN
Feast of San Roque
Feast of Nuestra Sra. dela Paz Y Buenviaje
Still on my Malabon fiesta tour....
BARANGAY BAYAN-BAYANAN
Feast of San Roque
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| Bayan-Bayanan Chapel at Celia II Street, Barangay Bayan-Bayanan. |
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BARANGAY MAYSILOFeast of Nuestra Sra. dela Paz Y Buenviaje
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| Maysilo Chapel at Yanga Street, Barangay Maysilo. I went to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church on M.H. del Pilar, thinking it was also their fiesta. But I was told that it was the barangay of Maysilo and this chapel celebrating their fiesta today. |
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Sunday, May 8, 2011
Again, it's three fiestas in a day: Barangay Catmon, Niugan and Panghulo
As far as I'm concerned, it's official: May is fiesta month in Malabon!
Including today's fiestas, seven barangays in Malabon have had their fiestas so far this month. And between today and the end of May, another three barangays will be celebrating.
Skies were a little overcast this morning when I left the house to make my rounds - but I was determined to take a peek at all the barangay fiestas this year. And those grey skies were not enough, either, to dampen the festive mood in each of the barangays I visited! All three barangays were celebrating the Feast of Sta. Cruz (Feast of the Holy Cross), but based on the streamers I saw, each had their own way of calling their feast day in the vernacular.
BARANGAY CATMON
Pista ng Mahal na Poong Krus
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BARANGAY NIUGAN
Pista ng Banal na Krus
BARANGAY PANGHULO
Pista ng Mahal na Senor Sta. Cruz
Including today's fiestas, seven barangays in Malabon have had their fiestas so far this month. And between today and the end of May, another three barangays will be celebrating.
Skies were a little overcast this morning when I left the house to make my rounds - but I was determined to take a peek at all the barangay fiestas this year. And those grey skies were not enough, either, to dampen the festive mood in each of the barangays I visited! All three barangays were celebrating the Feast of Sta. Cruz (Feast of the Holy Cross), but based on the streamers I saw, each had their own way of calling their feast day in the vernacular.
BARANGAY CATMON
Pista ng Mahal na Poong Krus
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| Catmon Chapel on Dulong Hernandez Street, Barangay Catmon. Holy Mass must have been scheduled at around 9:00am because when the ladies saw me get down from the car at around that time, one of them asked me if the priest was already with me. The streamer nearby mentions the fiesta dates as May 7-8, 2011. |
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| Street dancers going through their moves at the other end of Hernandez Street. |
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BARANGAY NIUGAN
Pista ng Banal na Krus
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| Niugan Chapel on N. Vicencio Street, Barangay Niugan. Participating in the parade were at least three marching bands and some barangay officials. A streamer nearby announced the holding of a "Serenata "by the Cardona 8 Band in front of the chapel the night before. |
BARANGAY PANGHULO
Pista ng Mahal na Senor Sta. Cruz
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| Panghulo Chapel on Panghulo Road, Barangay Panghulo. |
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Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Barangay Hulong Duhat's turn to fiesta
It was Hulong Duhat's turn to fiesta yesterday.
I was able to to visit the place only this afternoon -- the buntings ("banderitas") were still up, so there was still a bit of the fiesta feeling. An improvised stage was still set up, too.
Fiesta activities included a pagoda (fluvial procession) on the Malabon River at 10:00am yesterday. A "sagalahan" (procession of models) was also held on Saturday evening. It would have been nice to watch the pagoda. After watching my first-ever pagoda last December at the Barangay Concepcion fiesta, I suddenly feel like I've been missing out on something special all these years that I've been a Malabon resident. So now I want to watch more pagodas!
BARANGAY HULONG DUHAT
Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
I was able to to visit the place only this afternoon -- the buntings ("banderitas") were still up, so there was still a bit of the fiesta feeling. An improvised stage was still set up, too.
Fiesta activities included a pagoda (fluvial procession) on the Malabon River at 10:00am yesterday. A "sagalahan" (procession of models) was also held on Saturday evening. It would have been nice to watch the pagoda. After watching my first-ever pagoda last December at the Barangay Concepcion fiesta, I suddenly feel like I've been missing out on something special all these years that I've been a Malabon resident. So now I want to watch more pagodas!
BARANGAY HULONG DUHAT
Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
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| Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish Church on Gervacio Street, Barangay Hulong Duhat. I was told that Bishop Deogracias Iniguez was to celebrate Mass at the chapel at 5:30pm yesterday. |
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Sunday, May 1, 2011
Three Fiestas in a Day: Barangays Acacia, Longos and Santulan
The merry month of May begins with three fiestas today in Malabon.
Since fiestas are commonly associated with the feast day of a patron saint, I went to the three barangays' chapels to take a quick look. Except for the Longos chapel which is familiar to me because an old friend of mine used to live in that barangay, I didn't even know there were chapels located in barangay Acacia and Santulan. We had to stop and ask around in order to find them.
And when we did find the chapel, there was no doubt that a fiesta was going on because of the festive buntings that decorated both the chapel and the street.
BARANGAY ACACIA
Feast of St. Joseph the Worker (San Jose)
Feast of Senor de Longos
Feast of Mahal na Senor Sta. Cruz
Since fiestas are commonly associated with the feast day of a patron saint, I went to the three barangays' chapels to take a quick look. Except for the Longos chapel which is familiar to me because an old friend of mine used to live in that barangay, I didn't even know there were chapels located in barangay Acacia and Santulan. We had to stop and ask around in order to find them.
And when we did find the chapel, there was no doubt that a fiesta was going on because of the festive buntings that decorated both the chapel and the street.
BARANGAY ACACIA
Feast of St. Joseph the Worker (San Jose)
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| Chapel located on Flerida Street, Barangay Acacia. The image of St. Joseph is obviously being readied for a procession. |
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BARANGAY LONGOSFeast of Senor de Longos
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| Chapel located on Borromeo Street, Barangay Longos. There were banners located on Rizal Avenue announcing activities for the fiesta such as a walkathon, fireworks and procession. |
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BARANGAY SANTULANFeast of Mahal na Senor Sta. Cruz
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| Chapel located on Custodio Street, Barangay Santulan. There was a small stage set up at the corner of the street, so there must be activities lined up for their fiesta as well. |
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Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Easter "Salubong"
Happy Easter to everyone!
At long last, I finally got to see the Easter "Salubong" (Meeting) in my old barangay! Just like the yearly Immaculate Conception Pagoda, I used to hear about the "Salubong" as a child, but I've never experienced it. I could never get myself out of bed early on Easter Sunday mornings! Even when we lived in Bayan across San Bartolome Church, any activity that involved my having to wake up at the crack of dawn never made it past wishful thinking.
But this year I told myself I should experience this Lenten tradition at least once in my life. So I set my alarm clock to 3:30 am and went.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE "SALUBONG"?
The "Salubong" is the re-enactment of the first meeting between the Risen Christ and His Sorrowful Mother. The two statues of Christ and Mary sometimes come from two different places and are brought by procession to meet at the church courtyard. Mary is covered by a black veil to show that she is in mourning. At the meeting place, the two statues meet under a canopy, and in some places, a child dressed as an angel lifts the veil of Mary, to show a mother who is joyfully seeing her son again.
In the "Salubong" of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church this morning, both statues of the Blessed Mother and the Risen Christ came from the church courtyard and their meeting or "salubong" was at Cuatro Cantos, in front of the Rufina Patis compound. The Risen Christ came out first - a little past 4:00 am - and was brought by procession on General Luna Street. The procession of the Blessed Mother left a little later via C. Arellano Street. We joined the procession of the Risen Christ.
On the way to Cuatro Cantos, our procession chanced upon the procession of the Risen Christ of the Aglipayan Church as it was coming from Hulo going to its own "Salubong" (somewhere at the back of Mary Jay Restaurant, according to one of the procession marshalls I inquired from). So this made for a unique and amusing situation of two Risen Christ images having their own "salubong."
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In the "Salubong," the statue of Mary is moved under the canopy while that of the Risen Christ remains outside. There is a shower of confetti and pigeons are released from the ceiling of the canopy. A dove is then lowered onto the statue of Mary to remove the black veil over her face. The choir breaks into joyful Alleluias after the unveiling... multi-colored balloons are released into the early morning sky... and the crowd bursts into clapping and cheers of jubilation. Afterwards the statue of the Risen Christ is moved towards that of Mary, and soon both statues leave in a procession going back to Concepcion church via C. Arellano.
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At long last, I finally got to see the Easter "Salubong" (Meeting) in my old barangay! Just like the yearly Immaculate Conception Pagoda, I used to hear about the "Salubong" as a child, but I've never experienced it. I could never get myself out of bed early on Easter Sunday mornings! Even when we lived in Bayan across San Bartolome Church, any activity that involved my having to wake up at the crack of dawn never made it past wishful thinking.
But this year I told myself I should experience this Lenten tradition at least once in my life. So I set my alarm clock to 3:30 am and went.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE "SALUBONG"?
The "Salubong" is the re-enactment of the first meeting between the Risen Christ and His Sorrowful Mother. The two statues of Christ and Mary sometimes come from two different places and are brought by procession to meet at the church courtyard. Mary is covered by a black veil to show that she is in mourning. At the meeting place, the two statues meet under a canopy, and in some places, a child dressed as an angel lifts the veil of Mary, to show a mother who is joyfully seeing her son again.
In the "Salubong" of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church this morning, both statues of the Blessed Mother and the Risen Christ came from the church courtyard and their meeting or "salubong" was at Cuatro Cantos, in front of the Rufina Patis compound. The Risen Christ came out first - a little past 4:00 am - and was brought by procession on General Luna Street. The procession of the Blessed Mother left a little later via C. Arellano Street. We joined the procession of the Risen Christ.
On the way to Cuatro Cantos, our procession chanced upon the procession of the Risen Christ of the Aglipayan Church as it was coming from Hulo going to its own "Salubong" (somewhere at the back of Mary Jay Restaurant, according to one of the procession marshalls I inquired from). So this made for a unique and amusing situation of two Risen Christ images having their own "salubong."
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| Risen Christ procession of the Aglipayan Church heading towards the direction of Bayan. |
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| "Salubong ng Dalawang Kristo" (Meeting of two Christs) could very well be the title of this unique scene. Malabon devotees have long gotten used to situations like this. They simply make way for each other to pass, then continue on to their respective destinations. |
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| After that brief crossing of paths, our Risen Christ procession continues to make its way to Cuatro Cantos. |
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Many people were already waiting in front of Rufina Patis. Easter Mass began a few minutes before 5:00 am, officiated by Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, Fr. Rey Amante (parish priest of Immaculate Conception Church), and another priest. The "Salubong" was held after the Mass.In the "Salubong," the statue of Mary is moved under the canopy while that of the Risen Christ remains outside. There is a shower of confetti and pigeons are released from the ceiling of the canopy. A dove is then lowered onto the statue of Mary to remove the black veil over her face. The choir breaks into joyful Alleluias after the unveiling... multi-colored balloons are released into the early morning sky... and the crowd bursts into clapping and cheers of jubilation. Afterwards the statue of the Risen Christ is moved towards that of Mary, and soon both statues leave in a procession going back to Concepcion church via C. Arellano.
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| Devotees await the start of Easter Mass in front of the Rufina Patis compound. |
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| Blessed Mother statue is moved under the canopy. |
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| White dove is lowered from ceiling of canopy. |
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| Dove is about to lift Blessed Mother's veil. |
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| Veil has been lifted from Blessed Mother's statue. |
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| The balloons on top of the canopy are released into the morning sky along with the dove and veil. |
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| The "Salubong" of the Risen Christ and the Blessed Mother. |
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| Window seat |
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| Going back to church. |
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OTHER EASTER SUNDAY SCENES  |
| A sure attraction for the kids |
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| Full packed for breakfast |
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| A refreshing drink on a summer's day |
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