SubscribeHelp rebuild Dumarao Church
Back of the facade showing the remaining structure. The rest were burnt to the ground.
The facade of Dumarao Church left standing after the fire of November 2009. CLICK TO ENLARGE
Dumarao means to be in mourning.
On 16 November 2009, a fire broke out at the ceiling of the second level of the Our Lady of the Snow Institute at 0130H that gutted the whole building and the adjacent parish church of Dumarao. Faulty wiring was blamed and the flames were only put out at 0500H. Only the shell of the church: the belfry, the facade and the back remained standing.
Dumarao was accepted by the Augustinian Order in 29 April 1617 under the patronage of Nuestra Senora de la Natividad but an 1848 document also says that it was founded in 1705 under the advocacy of the Nuestra Senora de las Nieves.
According to Fr. Pedro Galende, OSA, in his book Angels in Stone, the first church was started in the first quarter of the 18th century, probably from 1710 – 1728. An 1875 typhoon greatly damaged the structure including the convent. In 1880, a temporary church was built by Fr. Abundio Garcia and was finished by succeeding priests. The convent was rebuilt from 1873 – 1876.
What I did notice about this church was that it was built by the townspeople with river stones that they got from as far as six kilometers from the site. This is very much noticeable at the back of the facade.
View of the presbytery
The church of Dumarao is currently being rebuilt but funds for its construction are greatly needed. Please donate to the parish. You can send in your donations by depositing it in the following bank accounts:
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Branch: Plaridel St., Roxas City, Capiz
Account name: Fr. Delfin A Delfin & Mrs. Eleanor Abad
Account number (Peso): 001103-3785-47
Account number (Dollar): 001104-0208-32
Parish Priest: Fr. Delfin A Delfin
Contact No: +63 927 480 7041/+63 939 515 7892
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 was 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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My flagellant image is Editor's Choice in the National Geographic Magazine May 2010 issue.
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