Catholic | Collectors Connection

Collection of Catholic Religious Chalkware in Marinduque

Posted on August 15, 2020 by rence chan

During this pandemic and home quarantine, people are stuck in their homes have time to reflect and pray. An FB friend and also a member of the religious group send some photos and recounted the tales of their cherish Catholic religious statues made from chalkware or eskayola/ escayola.

Marian statues and religious chalkware ( photo courtesy of Mr. Arwin Jones Epa)

Collection of Catholic Religious Chalkware

Mr. Arwin Jones Epa’s family who hails from Boac, Marinduque shared in his FB post on their collection of Catholic religious chalkware.

Most of their Catholic religious statues were handed down from his grandmother and parents. His father was Social Studies ” Araling Panlipunan” teacher and serves as the local town’s historian recounted that most of the chalkware were bought from peddlers from Pampanga, purchased from Catholic Trade in Tayuman, Manila and elsewhere.

Our Lady of Caysasay made from eskayola – is one of the cherished religious statues by the family

There were at least 50 to 60 Catholic religious chalkware, among the oldest was Our Lady of Caysasay made in 1954, Christ the King purchased from Catholic Trade in 1955.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Among the cherish collection is the Our Lady of Perpetual Help inside a wooden container ” Urna“.

He hopes to preserve the religious chalkware statues and sharing some his their family heirloom collection.

Filed under: collections, Place, vintage | Tagged: Boac, Catholic, Catholic Trade, Chalkware, Escayola, Eskayola, Manila, Marinduque, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Tayuman, urna | Leave a comment »

8 Fun Ways to Enjoy Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Piat Shrine

Posted on September 30, 2019 by rence chan

Piat is a town in Cagayan province known their miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de Piat enshrined at the Basilica Minore de Piat.

church facade with bell tower undergoing restoration

The jump off point is Tuguegarao city and it is just between 32.8 to 33 kilometers away from the town. On our second day, We took the chance to visit this famous pilgrim center despite our hectic schedule.

tourist center

The souvenir shop, tourist information center is closed and only one store located near the entrance was open. We arrived past 5:00 pm and few people where around the church.

bas relief of Our Lady of Piat and Piat logo

8 Fun Ways to Enjoy Pilgrimage to Piat

Department of Agriculture -Cagayan Breeding Center with giant boer goat

8.) Land Transportation– We took an hour or so travel via private car from Tuguegarao city to Piat. One can rent a tricycle or AUV vans which ply the capital city to the town.

People’s Integrated Agri-Tourism Center ( PIAT with giant corn)

7.) Scenery – One would enjoy the leisurely travel by marveling both man-made and natural wonders.

6.) Food and Souvenir Items– One must not missed the “Pawa” a type of local delicacy which probably influenced by the Chinese. The steamed ground sticky rice is filled with ground and sweetened peanuts. They are sold in packs of 9 or 10 pieces per pack. They are best eaten when freshly cooked.

two kinds of Our Lady of Piat statue ( 10 inch) made from fiber resin

I was fortunate to have bought one Our Lady of Piat statue made from fiber glass from an old man manning the religious/ sari-sari store. There were t-shirts, key chains and magnets for those interested. This was the only store that remain open during our visit to the shrine.

According to our tour guide/ companion/ diver for this tour. I was able to get a big bargain for the Our Lady of Piat statute which normally cost between Php 500 to Php 550.00. I was able to buy the 10 inch statue for just fraction of the quoted price.

Our Lady of Mercy Reconciliation Chapel

5.) Bukal na Buhay – There was a spring located at the back portion of the Minor Basilica according to one of the caretakers of the place.

4.) Basilica Pilgrimage Inn, Museum and Inn – This is like a one stop facilities for those planning to visit the center.

staircase

religious / souvenir store located within the church

museum

There is a small museum which features religious carvings, statues and church vestments. The souvenir store which sells religious images, t-shirts, books among others is close. A portion of the sales goes to helping seminarians and indigents.

3.) Stations of the Cross – life-size statues, garden, an area to lit candles and place admire the place.

marker

2.) Santo Domingo Parish -is located within the premises, with centuries-old bell.

Santo Domingo parish with centuries-old bell

Basilica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Piat interior

1.) Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat– ( Basilica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Piat ) This is a must visit pilgrim site dates back to 1604 when Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary was brought from Macao to Manila. The image is dark complexion made from paper mache probably originated from Goa, India.

The dark skinned image resemble the Indians of Goa which is also a Portuguese colony. One can admire the church grounds and immediate vicinity.

Place to Stay : Our jump off point is at Hotel Carmelita in Tuguegarao City.

Note: We would like to “Thank” the local lay sister which took the time to welcome the group invited us to stay and tour around. But our group is such in hurry to go back to Tuguegarao.

Filed under: Churches, museum, Place | Tagged: basilica, Basilica Minore Nuestra Señora de Piat, Cagayan, Catholic, church, Hotel Carmelita, Our Lady of Piat, Pawa, Religion, religious, Tuguegarao | 2 Comments »

Caritas Manila: 60th anniversary- Living Faith in Social Mission

Posted on October 7, 2013 by rence chan

2002 Jesus Street, Pandacan-1001 Manila-Philippines

Cardinal Rufino Santos

History:

CARITAS MANILA is the lead Catholic agency for social services and development of the Archdiocese of Manila. Its programs and services are directed towards the total human development of marginalized people and the promotion of social justice in the light of the Church’s Catholic Social Teaching.

Father Anton C.T. Pascual

Father Anton Pascual brief the bloggers and media about the mission and vision of the organization.

Caritas Manila- Pavilion

Caritas Manila Foundation directly serves the 13 vicariates of the Archdiocese and provides technical assistance to parish social services and development ministries, and acts as catalyst for capacity-building and networking for five other Metro Manila dioceses.

social media and bloggers were invited to the event

CARITAS, which means love in perfection. Through our programs and services, we aim to concretize the love of God among 52 percent of Metro Manila’s population who are poor, the “least, last and lost” among us. Caritas Manila, then known as Catholic Charities, founded on October 1953 by the late Archbishop of Manila Rufino Cardinal Santos.

products from less privilage communities

He conceived it to be “a social welfare program with the purpose of uplifting the spirit of the unfortunate members of our community, to assist them in all their needs, and to bring the help of God in their miseries and distress.”

The concept is almost similar with other charitable organizations like Salvation Army in the United States or Beautiful Store in South Korea. However , Caritas Manila is a Catholic church initiative and not just a mere dole-out projects but teaching one community on how to make a living.

art work from sun rays done by inmates

What Jesus taught about how to get a fish was:
Matthew 7:7: Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Beautiful Store: http://www.beautifulfund.org/eng/sub07/04.jsp

Salvation Army : http://www.salvationarmy.org/

Projects:

A volunteer helps shorts the items

Segunda Manas

Segunda Manas term is different from the layman’s term “Segunda Mano” -( Second Hand) because the real meaning and term for the said name is based on the word “MANA” or “ Inheritance” which means, something that is important or precious to the person who is giving certain product , things , possessions, property or commodity for that matter. However the public is encourage to donate items which can still be use .

Social Entrepreneurship

Caritas Manila is also helping a lot of communities like the prisoners of the National Penitentiary , Urban Poor communities and People with disabilities – The products that the communities create are being sold at a low prices . These help the community get their daily allowances can living. Saw a lot of potentials in their product range , they are beautiful , handcrafted items which are export quality and at par with products that are found commercially .

Scholarship

The organization had a scholarship project for the underprivileged children of the community .

Difference between Caritas Manila and Caritas Health Shield

Caritas Manila is an NGO, non-stock and non profit church based organization that cannot be confused with Caritas Health Shield which sells premium health insurance and hospitalization bills . Another big difference is the logo with two hands and a family and color blue .

Link: http://www.caritashealthshield.com.ph/