New Year's Day was supposed to be fiesta day in Dampalit, so I dropped by in the morning before going to a family reunion.
I went to the Sto. Rosario Church, since the parish church is usually at the center of fiesta celebrations in a barangay. I did find it a little odd, though, that the Sto. Rosario Church would be celebrating its fiesta on January 1st instead of October during the month of the Holy Rosary. So out of curiosity I went to the parish office in the hope that they could enlighten me.
I learned from Ate Rosie and Ate Sonia who happened to be there, that January 1st is actually the Barangay fiesta and the church used to celebrate its fiesta on the same day only because that had always been the tradition ("nakaugalian na"). During the time of Jaime Cardinal Sin, however, he told the parish to celebrate its feast during the month of October. So Sto. Rosario Church now celebrates its feast on the second Sunday of October, although it also lines up some activities during the barangay fiesta day. A pagoda (fluvial procession) on the Malabon River is held by the parish on the second Saturday of October.
A LOOK AT DAMPALIT CHURCH BEFORE
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| Dampalit Church c. 1963 (Photo from Arch. Richard Bautista |
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A marker found inside the church gives the following information:
- It was constructed by Augustinian Fathers in 1860.
- In 1902, it was taken over by Aglipayans.
- It was returned in 1907 by order of the Supreme Court.
- The church served as a Japanese military garrison in World War II and reconstructed after the war.
- The light of the church tower served as a navigational point of reference.
- The chapel became a parish church in 1983 and was rebuilt in 1989.
- The church was solemnly consecrated on October 13, 1991 by Jaime Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila.
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A LOOK TODAY
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| Sure sign of a fiesta going on: a band in colorful uniform. |
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| Another fiesta activity of the barangay, according to the streamer -- a Battle of the Bands |
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| One of two antique bells that were found at the Sto. Rosario Church. The inscription on the bell states: "Devoto de Ntra. Sra. del Rosario, Ano 1860." |
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| The main altar |
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| This image is said to be the original image found in the church. |
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| Other images include a Sto. Nino dressed as a fisherman with his catch. |
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| Except for the band in front of the church, looking at this morning street scene at Dampalit bridge, it seemed pretty quiet for a fiesta day. Perhaps it was still too early (I came at around 10:00AM), considering that it was New Year's Eve the night before and most people must have been up late. |
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