SubscribeSimbahan – Regalado Trota Jose
Cover of this important book by Regalado Trota Jose
When it comes to Philippine colonial era churches, nothing parallels Simbahan: Church Art in Colonial Philippines 1565-1898 by Regalado Trota Jose (RTJ) in terms of scope, detail and importance. This handy but very useful book is my primary reference when I want to understand more about a particular part of the church structure and other pertinent details.
Sample chapter starting page
Of course, there are other books on Philippine colonial churches but most, especially the coffeetable books focus on the architecture and styles of these edifices. In RTJ’s work, he not only traces the concept of the simbahan in pre-hispanic Philippines to its development under the different religious orders but disects the structures:
This book is on churches and other religious edifices built in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial regime, 1565-1898. The forms, materials and construction techniques of these edifices will be discussed, along with their furnishings such as religious statuary, paintings and vessels.
Simbahan is no boring text book. Interspersed with the articles are impressive images that the author took during the 60’s and 70’s and now under the Ayala Museum Iconographic Archive. Another thing that I do like are the various archival images that makes this book not only an important text reference but these old images provide a glimpse of how these churches, its interiors, exteriors and artifacts looked a hundred years ago. Add to that, the photographs’ coverage is extensive, from Batanes to Sulu!
Glossary page
The book has nine chapters and four appendices including glossary of archival terms, lists of lumber producing trees and forest products from archival sources, church documentation checklist and church art description form. Important references, list of archival sources and details of the author’s documentation trips are included.
Simbahan was published by the Ayala Foundation in 1992. Book design by Guillermo Ramos, Jr. and maps by Nelson Yu. Softbound copies are available at the Ayala Museum gift shop for just P250 ($5.20 at P48=$1)
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Estan Cabigas is a multiawarded blogger and freelance photographer based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. He has writtten for CNN Go and his photograph will be published in the May 2010 issue of the National Geographic Magazine. To know more about him and his photography, visit estancabigas.com.
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are there still any available copy of this book I really need it.
vidal, check it at the Ayala Museum as indicated above.
Hey,I have this book. This comes in handy for those who want to know more about the details that make up not only our rituals but the intsruments that make up the church.
can we purchase dis to you?? stated above FREE delivery how much
Hi Estan, do you have Fr. Javellana’s email? I recently met him at the old Jesuit house, I was with a group of USC students. The Jesuit house was recently opened for the public by the Sys.
abrazo,
A
Are their any stocks of this book?? i really wanted to have a copy… thx for replies… ^-^
Arnaldo, I don’t have his email address. I think Arnold Carl has it. I plan to go back to the Jesuit house to photograph the new developments since what I have was the old and chaotic place before it was opened.
Alfonso, please check the above post for information.
I was referring to my ebook.
too bad the museum said that they dont know if there will be a next delivery for this book. If any of you know any other place where I can get a copy of this book please post it here
estan wer can i purchase this book?? please post it here i ni dis book….
Again:
for this book I know two outlets:
- Ayala Museum but, from the comment above, no stock avaiable
- Filipinas Heritage Library infront of Manila Pen near the corner of Ayala and Makati Ave.
do u have the contact of Filipinas Heritage Library?? may i know?? thnx again…
Filipinas Heritage Library: http://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/
Ayala Museum: http://www.ayalamuseum.org/
Help! How can i get in touch with Mr. Jose? email add will do. I need his help on the ongoing desecration being done at our Cathedral in Calbayog. You may check my blog
Ronald,
Ricky Jose is generally unavailable (so I have been told) as he is now a seminarian. Regarding your cathedral at Calbayog, I would advise contacting the Permanent Committee for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, a committee of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines for help with this issue. Your diocese likely has a point person for church heritage, which would deal directly with these concerns.
Actually, from reading your blog Ronald, your diocese had the best possible advice from Prof. Eric Zerrudo. This stripping of the “skin” of the church has previously been an issue (most famously the Sarrat church in Ilocos stripped for a Marcos wedding). Prof. Zerrudo is likely the best authority in the Philippines on this matter, so be comforted!
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An inveterate traveler, I have gone around the islands and marveled at the still extant religious heritage structures in the country.
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