Acquisition of Our Lady of the Barangay

It was early October when someone at an FB group selling site posted an online ad indicating that he was selling  a statue of a lady with an infant jesus holding in her arms .  it was posted several weeks before I saw the advertisement , taking just a quick glance of the statue , thinking it was made from resin, fiber glass or even paper mache material  ( We think not suitable for an almost outdoor chapel )   The statue was posted by Mr. Edgardo Gamo Jr. from Laguna province , He is also a well-known artist and collector of many items. We need some durable religious statues for our newly renovated family chapel . The first statues installed were eaten by termites or got destroyed by typhoon .

I took notice of the statue and tried to send  a private message indicating my intention of purchasing the statue . It took  few days around October 19, 2016 before he answered my queries, Since we are not FB friend so it took a while , A few more inquiries had almost sealed our orders, we had to wait until after first week of November before finally deciding on the last piece of item to purchase . It took a few more days again (  out of town trip  ) and a letting someone deposit the agreed amount on November 11 Friday . It was more of a bulk sale ,  He was quite a good sales person and i felt ease with our transaction . Offering a couple of freebie stuffs, which we gladly liked and treasured.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary statue with pedestal  ( peana is separate )

Peana is a pedestal for religious images , normally carved from wood . The most common depiction is cloud- like formation . It is believed that religious statues hold special place in one’s home and thus peana is created to avoid the statues from touching the altar . It is also blessed by the priest before any religious  statues is placed on it   .

 For more precious religious statues like those made of hardwoods and precious materials like kamagong , molave  narra  , ivory , glass statues or semi-precious stones,  a special holder or container called  “Urna ” sometime made of , glass blown bottles , imported glass casing or house is needed to further protect the image. It used to be widely sold item until the mid-1990’s when fewer and fewer urnas were created . Some people do not want to spend money to house the religious statues .

One of my cousin told me that they have a previous transaction , several years ago – they bought a vintage Santo Nino ring ( circa 1960’s) made from silver which my cousin gave to their mother as a surprise gift . The seller shipped the items on November 15 Tuesday .

On November 16,2016 Wednesday around past 3:30 pm , JRS the courier service delivered the items right in our doorstep ! It was one of the fastest deliveries that we got , Normally when we purchase items online, it took at least 1 to 2 weeks before any courier company would deliver the items in our door step. It was some sort of coincidence that i was home a little bit early .

package 1

Almost everyone were thrilled to see the packages arrived , After signing the form from the courier service , we carefully unpack the items ( 2 separate boxes) and got the biggest disappointment in our lives , Two of the statues got broken arms . The first one ” Our Lady of the Barangay  holding a baby jesus , with two broken arms and Our Lady of Most Holy Rosary holding infant jesus also got a broken arm.  We had to inform the seller about our predicament and he quickly re-assured us of the immediate action .

package 2

I also consulted some religious saint enthusiasts and collectors on how to restore the broken arms . The cheapest and quickest solution was to buy a clear glue which is compatible to wood . It took a few more days before we were able to buy that glue and finally , we were able to stick the broken arms of the statue. ( not all hardware stores had those ).

Our Lady of the Barangay 

Story:

Our Lady of the Barangay was part of the extensive collection of religious items by the original seller made from Batikuling / Baticulin wood or Litsea perottetii, of the laurel family, the wood  which is soft, fragrant when fresh.  This is one of the preferred wood  for carving religious images , statues and chairs in the country .

According to the seller , The statue was made around late  1970’s or early  1980’s  by an unknown artist. He probably acquired the statue late 1990’s and recently got  ” hilamos ng pintura ” – to wash , with fresh coat of paint . The color is quite different from the usual Our Lady of the Barangay that i have encountered . The tapis ( wrapped around dress)  around the saya ( skirt ) had a caramel brownish colored stripes instead of the usual reddish paint.

The image had a white simple veil which extend in front of the image and at the back . This maybe the artist rendition of the Our Lady of the Barangay . The only clue that we got is that this could have been made somewhere in Laguna province within unknown wood carver.

Maybe someone who knows about the origin or maker of this statue can further send some comment or email .

Our Lady of the Barangay 

Our Lady of the Barangay statue is made from fiber glass – The statue is being retailed at Php 1,800 at Saint Paul Religious Store -another rendition of the statue with halo and one of the hands of child jesus is pointing up instead of wide open.  Not all branches of Saint Paul have ready stock of the image , I went to 3 stores SM MOA , SM Manila and SM Megamall with no stock available.

History and Origin of Our Lady of the Barangay

The image of Our Blessed Mother carrying her Son was painted by Mr. Crisogono A. Domingo, an inmate of Santa Barbara Leprosarium. The idea on the image was inspired in Cadiz City in 1954 and the artist , a mere house painter, undertook the work as an offering to Our Blessed Mother for the BIRHEN SANG BARANGAY ORGANIZATION, a Catholic mandated organization in the Philippines.

Birhen Sa Barangay was the title given to the image by Datu Antonio C. Gaston, the founder and leader of the Barangay Sang Birhen Organization. On Oct. 16, 1954 Msgr. Emmanuel Yap, D.D. gave the image his Canonical Blessing and acclaimed it to be an inspired work of art. Hence Oct. 16 has been marked as a Loyalty Day to Our Lady, the Birhen Sa Barangay, and has been chosen as the date for Her Fiesta celebration in Cogon.

On June 12, 1975, the original painting arrived in the Diocese of Tagbilaran for Our Lady’s visitation to the whole province of Bohol – from parish to parish, from central barangays to the remotest ones. This visit lasted for 6 years and 15 days. On Jan.14, 1981 the image was brought back to Bacolod City for the historical visit of the Holy Father, His Holiness Pope John Paul II. On Feb. 20, 1981, at the Bishop’s Palace in Bacolod City, the image was personally blessed by the Holy Father.

Since then, the devotion quickly spread from different towns and cities across the Visayas and reach Luzon as early as the late 1960’s , especially among the Aglipayan and sunday television mass which have the image of the Our Lady of the Barangay being venerated.

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A Visit to the Ancestral House of Senator Juan R.Liwag of Gapan

Gapan City , Nueva Ecija province -Philippines

Senator Juan R. Liwag was born on June 12, 1906 to  Mr. Diego Liwag and Ms. Isabel Ramos, Juan Liwag finished his elementary schooling as valedictorian at the Gapan Intermediate School. Pin Gapan, Nueva, Ecija. He finished his high school and liberal arts at the University of the Philippines. He completed his law course in the same university as class valedictorian and copped second place in the 1932 bar examination.

family portrait and intricate lattice works on wood 

He started his government service in 1945 as prosecutor in the department of justice. Mr. Liwag was named Judge-at-Large of the Court of First Instance four years later. In 1950, He was appointed District Judge for Albay and Catanduanes part of Bicol provinces. He married Ms. Consuelo Joson with whom he had four children.

Senator Juan R. Liwag photos and memorabilias

In 1952, he was appointed Solicitor- General, a position he held until 1954. In 1961, he was appointed Undersecretary of Justice. He became Secretary of Justice on May 19 of the same year. He was elected Senator in 1963 and served up to 1969.

The interior of the house is furnish with hardwood furniture and fixtures 

There is also a mini-library located at the ground floor . The ceiling is made from pinukpuk , iron sheet ceiling which is among the prominent features of the house . The ceiling is painted white.

collection of spoons from different parts of the world

staircase going to the second floor

Prior to his election in the Senate, Liwag served in various capacities in the executive and judicial branches of the government. He was also one of the most outstanding senator during his time.

art deco -style architecture 

The house had a nice large garden , similar to those found in old houses with large sprawling trees , manicured lawn , orchids , plants , some dogs and gooses. There is also a grand staircase with initial DL – This was probably from initials of his father . The house was built around mid-1920’s.

Architect Amie Singcuenco-Balatbat admires the large specimen sized-Cymbidium finlaysonianum and Aerides quinquivulnera naturalized on a coconut palm

Lakbay Lakad Pamana together with Mr. Ramon Valmonte ( local historian , professor , heritage advocate ) and a couple of guests were able to tour inside the house of the senator .

The house is private, hence a prior permission must be secure for those who wanted to visit .

Note : photos are taken by the author with permission .

For those interested in joining the tour , Call Or Text 0923 346 7575
Email: lakad_pamana@yahoo.com.ph

Gapan Culinary and Heritage Tour FB

References:

(Valenzuela, Rodrigo: “Know Them – A Book of Biographies; p. 102-103, 1966.)

Profile :Office of the Solicitor General

Senate : Senator Juan R. Liwag

Mr. Ramon Valmonte : http://monvalmonte.com/liwag/

Lakad Pamana of Bustos, Bulacan ( Part 4)

Bustos , Bulacan province – Philippines

 

The group then toured some of the most historical and oldest still existing houses in Bustos .

facade of the house ( Avelina Perez Ancestral House )

This house is a favorite shooting place among local films and television. Among the films that were shot at the house were Ibulong Mo sa Hangin ( Whispher to the Wind ) by Gerardo de Leon in 1966 .  Nasaan ka Maruja  1978 , Agua Bendita ( Television series Feb. 2010 to September 2010  ), Villa Quintana (November 2013 to June 2014 series) , Ang Biyahe ni Drew and I Juander QTV channel 11 .

living room

Aside from the films and television series , There are some instances that pre-nuptial photo sessions are also held at the sprawling garden.

 

plateria cabinet

Plateria is a furniture cabinet which is popular among jewelry / silversmith maker and rich families . Some of the compartments are used for storing materials that are used for making jewelry  . They are made using the best hardwood tree species and are ornately carved.

minasa wooden mold with 1874 date

What makes this furniture cabinet so special to the family is that this was one of the only 2 plateria that the Rizal family owns . And one of them is given to the family . They say that it might date backs to the late 19th century .

Sometimes, heritage and travelers would also tour the place upon coordination with the owners or tourism office.

Parts of the house was renovated , thus the facade of this ancestral house does not look old .

family tree ( courtesy of the family  )

According to the current owner of the house, They are distantly related to Reyes clan ( Nicanor Reyes Sr. of Far Eastern University  – who’s family hails from neighboring town of Baliwag ) They are also distantly related to Rizal’s -Lopez family clan, Mercado family and some prominent families in Baliwag and Bustos.

tables and chairs

There is also a book that was printed several years ago commissioned by one of the family member and written by Ms. Lourdes L. Mercado  .

library

 group photo together with Ms. Avelina Baby- Perez

We finally bid farewell to the owner of the house and the group went to the adjacent Perez Ancestral house – They owners of these houses are relatives .

 Perez House as viewed along the highway

The Perez Ancestral House was built around 1858, It is considered as one of the most important ancestral house both architecturally and historically .

stone carvings

The house had intricate stone hand-made carvings located at the sides of the house. Historians and architects are puzzled with the intricate stones carvings with two double headed eagle like creature with crown.

Habsburg -Lorraine royal seal -courtesy of  Wikipedia

This is like Habsburg–Lorraine ( Austrian- Hungarian ) or Augustinian in origin.

There are several theories:

1.) The family might have a royal lineage from Europe , hence they were able to have the stone carvings at their house.

2.) The family origins might be of Mexican royalty or nobles and was incorporated to the house design.

3.) Agustinian order – There are high priests and bishops who might once lived at their house.

4.) Royal merit from Spanish government for their family meritorious act or services .

Website link: http://www.habsburger.net/en

intricate stone carvings

 Jesus Christ

fray luna

Fray Luna is also called Versoza chairs which is popular during the late Spanish colonial furniture.

living room area

The living rooms of both houses looks quite similar except that this house got more crochet works and more simple.

 Cafe Apolonio

The house and compound is a good example of re-adaptive reuse by the present owner.

Dendrobium anosmum aka sanggumay

There are pocket garden and native orchids like  Dendrobium anosmum ( sanggumays ) were mounted on living trees. It seems that this is the most popular orchid species being grown by the people in this town.

They opened a cafe and restaurant located at the ground floor of the ancestral house with a garden area good for 50 to 60 people . Inside , The restaurant cafe area can host of around 20 to 30 people at any given day .

There is a patio area which can accommodate 4 to 6 people.

Ms. Ofelia Perez- Genabe together with some participants of the tour

We were met by the owner by Ms. Ofelia Perez-Genabe and  she showed us the living room and parts of the colonial house. The old ancestral house was built around 1858.

Business Hours:

M-TH: 11:00am to 10:00pm, F-S : 11:00am to 12mn

Mercado House

Mercado House is another ancestral house which is located near the Perez Ancestral  Ancestral Houses . This was built around mid- 19th century and is another sample of a house with Baroque-style carved stone corner pilasters, carved stone garland and crucifix motifs in the entrance, chrysanthemum designs, decorative reliefs, molave planks with narra sidings, capiz windows, moveable panels, graceful grilles.and baroque style.

Mercado House ( closer view of the stone carvings and pillars) 

Unfortunately, it was sold to an unnamed doctor just a few years ago and the new owners which are private people  is not keen to open the house to heritage tours from outsiders.  Based from the personal stories from the adjacent houses. The former owner is also a distant relative of the Perez. ( Conrado Mercado ).

Some of the group took photos of the exterior of the house from the street.

Bustos Dam :

Brief History : Built in 1926, 50 kilometers upstream from the Bustos Dam as a fixed type river weir without gates, the AARD, Angat Afterbay Regulator Dam (commonly known as Bustos Dam) is the longest rubber dam in Asia at 79 meters and the second largest in the world.

Bustos Dam

The present dam was rehabilitated by Kurimoto, LTD., Osaka, Japan , manufacturing date, as of May, 1997.

It has Washed Out, Intake, Sluice and Roller Gates sets. Its clear spans are 4.6% 1.53 meters. Its gate (opening) heights are 4.5 and 1.0 meters. The weights of the leaves are 5.4 and 1.0 tons. The operating speed is 0.3 m./ min.

Mr. Conrado Garcia Mercado statue

He is known as “Mr. Irrigation” or Mr. NIA . He was the first National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Assistant Administrator; Original owner of the Mercado Ancestral House in Brgy. Bonga Menor; the government created a statue for him to serve as a memorabilia for him and his contributions. The statue is located within the  park near the entrance.

commemorative marker

 The Japan International Cooperation Agency in 2001 , (JICA) has approved a P500-million grant-in aid to the government for the repair and improvement of the Angat Afterbay Regulatory Dam (AARD) in Bustos, Bulacan, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) .

closer view

six-span dam’s main features are easily deflatable and inflatable rubber body.

intake gate with irrigation canal

a boat made from cement

mermaid riding a large fish

The park and the vicinity area is a favorite shooting place for films and television shows .

picnic area

We were given a snack which consists of puto bumbong , suman and avocado tea made from the fruit .

dog sleeping in one of the picnic table

There is a small entrance fees of Php 5.00 for tricycle , Php 10 for jeep , Php 20 for car , Php 50 vans and Php 100 truck.

group photo

My only concern is that the place had a lot of graffiti and some areas  needed some rehabilitation . The authorities must try to reforest the surrounding areas with native trees to improve the water holding capacity of the place.

Cunanan Ancestral House

Cunanan Ancestral House had some similarities in terms of stone carvings with the Mercado House , although the house looks like there were some expansion done maybe during the early or mid 20th century  .

The house looks smaller compared to the Mercado house . The house had capiz windows and adobe stone walls hand carving in floral details .

details of the stone crucifix  carving

We manage to take some photos of the exterior parts and adobe walls and its details . Unfortunately , The current owner of the house ( around 92 years-old might not be around ) .

carved stone corner pilasters

A visit to these ancestral houses must be properly coordinated with the local tourism office set several days or even weeks in advance.

Special Mention to Mr. Edwin Del Rosario of Bustos Tourism office , Office of the Mayor and Sir Gilbert . Maraming Salamat Po !

Please visit the links:

Lakad Pamana of Bustos, Bulacan part 1: https://renz15.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/lakad-pamana-of-bustos-bulacan/

Lakad Pamana of Bustos, Bulacan part 2: https://renz15.wordpress.com/2016/01/19/lakad-pamana-of-bustos-bulacan-part-2/

Lakad Pamana of Bustos , Bulacan part 3: https://renz15.wordpress.com/2016/01/20/lakad-pamana-of-bustos-bulacan-part-3/

The Command Hanging Market with DMCI Homes at Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue Pasig

DMCI Homes – Riverfront Residences, Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue, Pasig City-Philippines

Riverfront Residence

3M Philippines in partnership with DMCI homes have its bi-monthly hanging market at the club house .

The event start past 2:00pm where hundreds of home owners and residents of Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue were treated into an afternoon of GREAT Discounts, Innovative Products and GREAT Prizes !

Command Brand

Homeowner got up to 30% discounts on selective products

 EC Gas Franchise! Franchise na!
Visit us at www.ecgas.com.ph/franchise-now
or email us at franchise@ecgas.org
You can also call us at 812 0281 / 812 0257

3M company is devoted to serving our customers and their communities with an extensive range of innovative solutions.

Artist and Interior Designer Ms. Coni Tejada spoke some important tips on DIY basics of hanging and indoor vertical living wall plant arrangements

Website: www.3M.com/ph

Tupperware Gives an Interesting Tips on How to Keep Your Body Fit and Fab

Tupperware Philippines gives an interesting tips on how to keep your body fit and fab.

The main tip is to make it a habit to drink the right amount of water your body needs. We know that you can relate to how difficult it is to form habits, so we wrapped up three simple life hacks that can help keep your body beach-worthy!

1. Always keep a bottle of water with you.

The easier it is for you to do something, the easier it is to make it a habit. Writers on self-help, success, and discipline say making a task 20 seconds faster will make you more motivated to do the activity.

Recall how you got yourself to jog everyday. Did you put your shoes beside your bed so that when you wake up, you can easily suit up? Think of it as having that Facebook icon in your smartphone’s homepage. Doesn’t that give you easier access? Definitely!

Plus, looking for a convenience store to purchase a bottle every time you are thirsty is expensive and a hassle. It will also just contribute to plastic bottle waste. Wherever you go, always bring your handy bottle with you. And don’t forget to fill it with water before you leave home!

2. If water bores you, add flavor!

Oftentimes, we don’t give our best to create habits because we feel that the task at hand is too much of a bother. Spice it up by trying out something new. Toss in some cucumber slices or lemon with your everyday fix of water. This is an easy way to make drinking water fun and much healthier.

3. When you feel and believe you are hungry, drink water first.

Many of us seem to be hungry almost all the time and it is normal to feel it at an average of four hours after every meal. As Filipinos, we get hungry more often, especially with our merienda culture. The next time you feel hungry, tie up drinking water with that feeling. The next thing you’ll know, reaching for that bottle of water and drinking it all will be as effortless as breathing!

Moreover, thirst is often confused with hunger. True hunger will not be satisfied by drinking water. So, if it is just thirst, you save yourself from those unnecessary calories. Those who are on a diet will surely love this!

Go for a stylish, easy to hold, and durable water bottle such as Tupperware’s Eco Bottle. It comes in different sizes — from 1 liter that is equivalent to 4 glasses, down to 310 mL that can fit perfectly in your purse. The Eco Bottle is made of safe, non-toxic materials and is tested and proven safe for reuse. It has a tight screw-on cap that prevents leaks and has a tab for easy opening. It even has an ergonomic shape for an easy grip to make sure that your hand muscles won’t get too stressed from holding it. This bottle also comes in different bright colors to choose from that are perfect for summer fun and will match your unique personality!

Tuppweware ECO Bottles comes in different colors

Keeping yourself hydrated is vital in having that perfect figure and staying healthy. With Tupperware’s Eco Bottle, you not only maintain that picture-perfect body, you also help lessen plastic waste on Earth.

So start the habit of bringing along an Eco Bottle with you all the time! Try to visit your nearest Tupperware Dealer or Sales Representatives.