Visita Iglesia - The Churches

Without much planning on where or what, we went on visiting old churches in Laguna or “Visita Iglesia”as part of our Lenten observance. We have planned to do this last year but had last minute changes so Nestor have surfed what churches to visit back then. And am so glad that it happened this year. Experience thought us that never to be too certain when travelling with kids, so Nestor and I made it clear from the start that we will only go as far as the time can allow us and no need to pressure ourselves to complete 7 churches. And even though we have the list of churches we don’t really know which will come first. And it was a bit of surprise when we were able to complete 6.

1. San Agustin Parish in Bay (ba-i), Laguna
This was an unexpected stop since it is not in the list. We wanted to go first to the one in Pila but we’ve been travelling for almost an hour already and had never seen one old church. So, on chance driving to the poblacion instead of just driving in the hi-way, we saw this church and just stop seeing it was big, open, there were many people, and it’s old-like.

I don’t know but I feel like that the church is obviously not that old. It just looks like that because there’s the exterior is not painted. Not sure if it’s intentional to get that aged look or still in the process of finishing it. But as can see, there are already plants sprouted on the crevices. That one also I think is all part of the drama as I later thought when I saw the real old churches. Too bad we did not read the church info at the side. The entrance of the church at that time was crowded plus the white board where announcements are posted seems to make the church uninviting. We have not stayed that long to really take in what the whole place can offer. But I can say that it has the quality of old time church and the people manning the parking are very helpful.

2. San Antonio de Padua Church in Pila, Laguna

With entrance facing the plaza and not the street, we could easily passed the church while driving if we did not care to ask beforehand especially with the interesting old hispanic houses on the left side of the street. The church is in the inner corner of the plaza with a school built beside it which I felt totally diminished the structure’s dominant looking exterior.

Old from outside but had a modern look inside. The most dominant feature inside is the very golden altar with an access stairs behind to touch the foot of San Antonio statue. A common Catholic practice just like how Mary touched the foot of Jesus when he was on the cross. Of course the whole family did it. I read somewhere that the relic of San Antonio de Padua is kept in a glass casing at the back of church but we did not saw it. It is one nice old church which the community has kept very well.

3. Immaculate Conception Parish Church in Santa Cruz, Laguna

Just like the common setting in the countryside, the church is located in the same area as the main plaza and the municipal hall. I was excited to see this church when I spotted it from outside. It was quite big and have walls that resembles like Intramuros. It’s a big one though from the outside but kind of small when you get inside. Small parking at the front of the church is also deceiving the spaciousness of the whole place. No photos of the altar as most of the statues are covered. There are many colorful saint statues inside that I think were used or will be used in procession since it's in the caravan and decorated. I like the glass murals and old pictures hanging in selected places around the church. But what I like most is the baptismal area.

Maybe because we were there near 12 noon and stomachs are grumbling that’s why we haven’t really explored much of the church.

4. Pagsanjan Church in Pagsanjan, Laguna

Home of Our Lady of Guadalupe, this is a beautiful church currently being renovated. Renovation is good but in an old and historical church like this, I would have preferred to do restoration. It’s sad to say that the way it’s being remodeled for it to continue to be usable makes it rather loose it’s dramatic aura of being - - old. Hopefully, it didn’t turn out to be so modern.

Over-all, I like the big cross on the ceiling that spans the whole length of the inside of the structure although it’s rather modern. There are many features in this church, like the adoration chapel which is the one currently being renovated. It made me sad that slowly being gone are the old bricks used in this church and being replaced by the cement. The walls have the lapida of the many people who were part of the early history of the churh – many Spanish sounding names. There is a newly constructed cave-like station of the cross and colorful religious murals.

5. Santa Magdalena Parish in Magdalena, Laguna

Very big and commanding I like this church. Maybe because the space in front allows me to really take in the beauty that it has. The pair of wide stairs that slightly wider at the bottom and tapered at the top and are gracefully sided with balustrade. Those are strategically located at both the main entrance and secondary door of the church and seem like inviting me to take either of each to the inside. The main door has a big hinges that is both decorative and functional. Santa Magdalena is carved at the top part of the wooden door. All the walls are made of stone from top to bottom. In between the big and well spaced posts are simple windows with wooden shutters. Even the station of the cross fixtures on the wall are also aged. The altar is simple in its small dome highlighted with an arched with gold accents. Just right to make you focus on praying and not on the surrounding. The preaching balcony (whatever it is called) is such already a missing feature in modern churches so it delights me to see one here. The right wing houses the adoration chapel or probably used for wakes. Its walls have niches of saints.

From doors to walls and all the little original details inside the stone walls of this church evokes a sense of warmth, peace and security within me.

6. St. Gregory Parish Church in Majayjay, Laguna

This church is a real old one just from looking at the façade. The originality of the materials used to build it is still intact. Obviously though, some part of the structure especially the roofing on the right wing needs repair. Other than that, this church is a keeper.

I like the originality of the doors which is a reminiscence of the grandness of that era. Upon entering the door, I first noticed the enormous feature in the left that looks like a close up of a tip of a big torch with the bottom ends just before it reaches the top of man’s head when standing. It is actually part of the balcony that surrounds the whole perimeter of the church ending just before the altar. Very tall ceilings with midway window alcove that let in just enough light and air on the place adds a bit of the drama. The bronze and gold trimmed altar is as tall and big as it could get with several niches for the saint’s statues. There is another balcony up above it. Chandeliers light the whole interiors. I think the upper portion wall of the church is already renovated because I don’t see the touch of the stones used in the ground floor portion. Real or not, it’s still good to look at.

Outside the right entrance is equally well kept. There is a pair of old trees that look like giant-bonsai. And then, there’s the back of the belfry where a Lourdes stands on the bottome corner and a one big reminder for all of church-goers and passers-by. Let’s pray the rosary.

It’s not really a serious visita iglesia in which we pray the novena for each patron saint of the church we visit. We said our personal prayers in each church and that’s it. The rest is like looking back at history, taking in the sight, photo taking and a time to be just family.

Disclaimer: I may have sound a times negative on my observations on this historical and sacred places, but this is all just a comment coming from a very untrained eyes of an expectator. Peace!