A beautiful book showcasing old photographs of Cebu from the collection of the author. A whole chapter features some notable churches in the island province

The book with its sleeve. CLICK TO ENLARGE

Glimpses of Old Cebu: Images of the Colonial Era by Lucy Urgello Miller is not your ordinary book on old postcards showing what was then old Philippines. It is not like those by Jonathan Best but the approach is similar.

What differentiates this from the latter is that it focuses solely on Cebu and, most importantly, the supporting texts and anecdotes, vital information, that put into contexts the over 600 images from postcards, stereoviews and lantern glass slides spanning from 1870-1945 that the author has collected over the span of 20 years.

Very rare and never before seen images of the island province, as it was, graces this 276 page book. It traces Cebu’s development from a small community, superseded by Manila, to its growth as one of the vibrant economies brought on by the sugar trade to the early twentieth century and the second world war:

In this volume,stron Lucy Urgello Miller offers her readers a wonderful opportunity to take a significant glimpse into Cebu’s past. The book makes available to all of us the photographic images that she has accumulated over many years of dedicated collecting. These images of the past allow us to observe many aspects of Cebu’s development… Her meticulous effort to identify the photographs and to provide some of the historical context contribute even further to the significance of the publication and make it a valuable contribution to our efforts to reconstruct Cebu’s past. – from Michael Culinane’s Forword to the book

One of the pages in the chapter showing different views of Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

For the religious heritage architecture enthusiast, this book is also very important. Chapter 7, Places of Worship devotes 67 archival images of churches (both interior and exterior), religious houses and icons that offers the viewer how these looked before, important in assessing the changes that these buildings have undergone. Scattered across the chapters are also images that includes some churches in context to its location, watchtowers and cemeteries.

The book is published by the University of San Carlos Press and printed by Clint KAMMS Corporation, the same company that did the Balaanong Bahandi book. It is available for P2,500 at the University of San Carlos and the Cathedral Museum of Cebu.

Balaanong Bahandi is your ultimate guide to the Archidocese’s architectural heritage, showcasing all the churches in Cebu from the earliest missions to contemporary parishes, including all of the outstanding artistry they contain, from bas reliefs expressed in coral stone to carved images in ivory and wood, ceiling paintings by the famed Canuto Avila and Raymundo Francia, handwritten pages in canonical books, bronze bells and many other tangible manifestations of over 400 years of Christianity in Cebu.

The book, Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu, is an important publication on Cebu's churches

Hot off the press, the book Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu is a beautiful tome that celebrates the religious architecture, treasures, cultural heritage and faith of the Cebuanos on the occassion of the diamond jubilee of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

The book that started it all: Redondo's Breve Reseña published in 1886

Highlighted text shows the translated portion of the Breve Reseña particular to this church

The book is an update to the 1886 publication Breve Reseña de lo que fue y de lo que es la Diocesis de Cebu en las Islas Filipinas (A Brief Account of What is and What was the Diocese of Cebu in the Philippine Islands) by Felipe Redondo, secretary to the Bishop Benito Romero de Madridejos. Redondo’s work is the most important source for those studying the history of the Diocese of Cebu during the Spanish Colonial period.

The front cover of the book shows the Metropolitan Cathedral of Cebu framed with details of an inuod, embroidered vestment from the Boljoon Parish museum. At the back is the beautiful retablo mayor of Boljoon Church. Inside, is an overview tracing its history from the start of Christianity of Cebu to its present status as an Archiocese. After a feature on the cathedral, the museum and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, the parish pages follows alphabetically.

A sample page spread showing the beautiful church of Poro, Camotes Islands.

Each parish church is treated in this manner: the opening page, right, shows the present form of the edifice. At the opposite page, first column, is its brief history. At the right column, an archival image is included that reminds the reader how it looked before (like what was done in my other book, Philippine Church Façades). Below it is the translated text from the Breve Reseña.

Succeeding pages, especially for heritage churches, showcases the interior, treasures as well as architectural details of the edifice. Where applicable, images of the kumbento, old perimeter walls, mortuary chapels as well as fortifications are also included.

Bantayan Church details showing bas relief and interior

An antique image of San Miguel Arcangel in the parish museum of Argao

Where there are parish museums, interiors as well as some antique items are also included. Pages devoted to each church can be a minimum of 2 to as much as 14 for those edifices rich in artifacts and interesting architectural details like Bantayan and Argao.

One of the most striking details included in the book are the very colorful and interesting ceiling paintings of Dalaguete which were painted by Canuto Avila and his children, that I haven’t paid much attention to before.

One thing I like about this book is that it not only focuses on the beautiful but calls the reader’s attention to the need to preserve these heritage structures. An example is Argao wherein the writer, Ms. Loy Alix lamented the desecrations done by a past parish priest without regard to its rich cultural standing.

It’s very important to protect heritage structures from vandalism. These days high resolution security cameras can help you keep an eye on your valuable assets and provide constant monitoring of your premises.

After featuring the different parishes as included in the Breve Reseña, daughter parishes, those erected after the publication of Redondo’s work and, especially, after the creation of the Archdiocese in 1934, follows with mainly thumbnail images, all 86, that are found scattered across Cebu and nearby islands. A glossary, bibiliography and index pages follows.

Matching paper bag for the book.

Balaanong Bahandi, a 9in x12in coffetable book was originally conceptualized with 260 pages but due to the number of beautiful images and important text, is now a publication with 308 pages. This is jointly published by the Cathedral Museum of Cebu and the University of San Carlos Press. The editorial team is headed by Jobers Bersales with an all Cebuano team of writers and photographers including yours truly. Layout and design by Lorens Gibb Lapinig, my co-photographer, and printed by Mack Mayer Printers in Cebu.

For its price of just P2,500, its a steal for quality of workmanship, well researched text and beautiful images.

Check the other posts on the book launching as well as the speech I delivered.

Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu

It’s no mean feat to accomplish such a tome based from the seminal work of Fr. Felipe S. Redondo who in 1886 published the book, Breve Reseña de lo que fue y de lo que es la Diocesis de Cebu (A short account of what was and what is the Diocese of Cebu) or, better known as the Breve Reseña.

During the launching, I will also deliver a speech in behalf of the photographers of the book. Check out the full text that I prepared over at my estancabigas.com blog.

From a promotional blurb:

Published by the Cathedral Museum of Cebu and the University of San Carlos Press and edited by Jose Eleazar “Jobers” Bersales. Written by Louella Eslao-Alix, TD Mansueto, Arnold Carl Sancover, Melva Rodriguez-Java and Fr. Brian Brigoli. Photos by (primary photographers) Lorens Gibb Lapinid, Estan Cabigas, Mark Andrew Jorolan, (contributing photographers) Fr. Jun Rebayla, SVD, Rudy Alix and Gil Maningo. Book design and layout by Lorens Gibb Lapinid.

Written, edited and photographed by Cebuanos and printed in Cebu.

More than 300 pages and full-color pictures.

Distribution of the book will start on 1 December and will cost P2,000.

Download book press info

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)

Book cover of Fortress of Empire by Rene Javellana, SJ

Rene Javellana, SJ’s Fortres of Empire book is perhaps the best reference, so far, to introduce the reader to the fortifications in the country. These are oft forgotten aspect of Philippine heritage and the dark history that it represents. It is not too large and is full of beautful colored pictures of structures, details as well as places. Archival images as well as artist’s rendering and isometric drawings of some forts and watchtowers are included.

From the “About the Book:”

Beginning in 1565, Spanish colonists built fortifications to protect themselves and their emerging settlements. Over the next three hundred years of colonial rule, a string of permanent fortifications was built throughout the Philippine archipelago, not bypassing even tiny and remote islands. This defense net was built to contain perceived enemies of Spanish hegemony.

While focusing on the architecture of fortifications and documenting the architectural initiaive of the military and of local communities, Fortress of Empire: Spanih Colonial Foritifications in the Philippines, 1565-1898 situates this initiative in the social and historical forces that constrained people to make the Philippines a fortified archipelago.

The book surveys briefly ancient and indigenous fortifications giving a brief background of the intricate society and warfare as well as development with the arrival of the European colonialists. From the ijang of the Batans, the muog of the Tagalogs, the ilihan of the Visayans and the kuta of the Muslims to the fuerzas and baluartes of the Spanish colonial period.

Sample page showing Punta Cruz in Maribojoc, Bohol

Perhaps, if not for the British’s insatiable need (or greed?) for Chinese tea, the current societal landscape of the country would have been different. Because of this development, a hundred years, from the middle of the 18th – the 19th centuries, of Muslim slave raiding has affected the country far more greater than in the previous centuries and greatly affected it when compared to the rest of maritime Southeast Asia.

And this is where the book is devoted to: the defensive, and later, offensive response of the then Spanish colony to these incursions and deparadations.

The author provides a map of locations, both existing and no longer existing structures that were built across the country from fortress churches, fort to watchtowers. It’s a good start, however, as its not exhaustive as I expected it to be.

Page showing map where fortifications, fortified churches as well as watchtowers have been recorded

During my travels and research, there were some that were left out like the ones found in Doong Island off Bantayan Island, the ruins of the Luyang fortress in Carmen and some others in Carcar, Alegria, Boljoon and Malabuyoc. But I see the list as a starting point for additional research.

What I do like about this tome is how several structures from fuerzas to baluartes are illustrated. One important feature are the various isometric drawing that shows the reader how these looked like before. The Bibliography and end notes also provides very important references for additional readings.

Sample page showing the watchtower in San Esteban, Ilocos Sur. Note the artist's rendition of the structure

Just like the Great Churches of the Philippines, another beautiful introductory book on Philippine churches, this is published by Bookmark in 1997. Images were done by Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan. Book design and maps by Felix Mago Miguel while isometric drawings were done by Evelyn Esguerra.

This 214 page book is still avaialble in major bookstores in the county and is priced at just P800-P900 ($17-$19 at $1=P48). I got my copy at half the cover price during an international book fair in Manila around three years ago.

A monthlong exhibit is scheduled this 3 July to help raise funds for the book. Come, visit and reserve your copy.

Images on exhibit is available for sale at P5,000 each. Part of the proceed will be for the upkeep of the Cathedral of Cebu Museum. Preselling of the book will be for limited time only from 3 July – 30 August. Discounted price is P1,500. Once launched this November, it will be available for P2,000. If you’re interested, do contact me by filling out the contact form above. This is what I and two other photographers, have been busy with the past few months. In my case, its the main reason I have been shuttling between Manila and Cebu to undertake this ambitious project of the Archdiocese of Cebu! And to start the ball rolling, you are cordially invited to the month long opening of the exhibit and avail of discounts for the book. Read all about it below.

To mark the Diamond Jubilee of the Archdiocese of Cebu, the Cathedral Museum of Cebu and the Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church will soon launch the book Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

Published in collaboration with University of San Carlos Press, Balaanong Bahandi continues the pioneering work of Fr. Felipe Redondo who first chronicled the history of the Catholic Faith in Cebu through the book entitled Breve reseña de lo que fue y de lo que es la Diócesis de Cebú en las Islas Filipinas published in 1886.

With excerpts from a translation of Redondo’s magnum opus, over 1,000 full color photographs interspersed with vintage pictures in 58 chapters bring together the Church’s treasured heritage: houses of faith that have not only withstood the vagaries of time and the elements but spawned new parishes.

Balaanong Bahandi is the ultimate guide to the Archdiocese’s architectural heritage, showcasing all the churches in Cebu from the earliest missions to contemporary parishes, including all of the outstanding artistry they contain:  bas reliefs expressed in coral stone, carved images  in ivory and wood, ceiling paintings by the famed Canuto Avila and Raymundo Francia, handwritten pages in canonical books, bronze bells, and many other tangible manifestations of over 400 years of Christianity in Cebu.

To help raise funds for the book, a month-long exhibition of 50 of the hundreds of select photographs in the book will be held at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu to be opened on July 3, 2009. The exhibit opening will also coincide with pre-selling of the upcoming book at discounted rates.

By purchasing copies in advance, buyers not only get a 20 percent discount on the 300-page full color book, they will also share in the noble task of promoting and ensuring the protection and preservation of Cebu’s heritage churches as proceeds from sales will go to the Cathedral Museum of Cebu Trust Fund and the heritage conservation programs of the Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church.

Jojo R. Bersales
Editor/Project Coordinator

Great Churches of the Philippines - Galende and Javellana

Great Churches of the Philippines by Pedro Galende, OSA and Rene Javellana, SJ is one of those books that you just have to get, pour over and read again and again. That is if your into Philippine churches and Spanish colonial architecture in the country. This 1996, now out of print book and very much hard to find, was one of those publications that presented these architectural gems with its distinct Philippine style in a new light: beautiful pictures with short but concise text.

I got my copy around ten years ago in Cebu. Looking at the wonderful cover of the stunning Tumauini church in Isabela, one is immediately drawn. This is the book that made me visit this northern edifice a few years later.

It’s lightweight, with just 76 pages, which, I think, is good for this kind of publication. Not too heavy to digest considering that it tackles 29 churches. The text is quite familiar. A short history of the structure is followed with the architectural description of the façade and the interior, a writing style that echoes Galende’s, one of the authors, Angel in Stone. It also includes a short glossary as well as a primer on church architecture that walks one to the various parts of the structure.

Great Churches of the Philippines was published by Bookmark, one of the publishing houses that has brought us wonderful titles specifically focusing on Philippine art and culture. Photography was done by Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan and Boldy Tapales. Design and wonderful illustrations by Robert Alejandro.

Twenty-nine churches built from the late sixteenth to the nineteenth century are featured in this introduction to the rich legacy of Philippine colonial architecture. The churches have been chosen for their age, state of preservation and architectural value or cultural significance, which place them above the rest as exemplary. The text gives a history of each church and point to its significant architectural and artistic features. The intimate connection between the churches and the faith of the Filipinos is underscored in this book. The color photographs lead the eye to see each church against the panorama of the Philippine landscape and highlight captivating details.

Page spread of Betis Church in Pampanga

The twenty nine churches are from 16 provinces in the country that can be found in Luzon and the Visayas. It would have been better if the authors included Jimenez in Misamis Occidental, an equally beautiful church, to make it thirty as well as represent Mindanao.

The stunning Tumauini Church in Isabela. This is the book that prompted me to visit this church a few years later.

Domus mea domus oratio nis voca bitur - My house shall be called a house of prayer

Back cover showing the stained glass rose window of the Basilica of San Sebastian

The book covers the following churches:

Ilocos Norte:

• Paoay
• Laoag

Ilocos Sur:

• Vigan
• Sta. Maria
• Sta. Lucia

Isabela:

• Tumauini

Pampanga:

• Apalit
• Betis

Bulacan:

• Barasoain
• Angat

Metro Manila:

• San Agustin
• Malate
• San Sebastian
• Las Piñas

Rizal:

• Tanay
• Morong

Cavite:

• Maragondon

Batangas:

• Taal

Laguna:

• Paete
• Majayjay

Quezon:

• Tayabas

Albay:

• Daraga

Capiz:

• Pan-ay

Iloilo:

• Miag-ao

Cebu:

• Sto. Niño
• Carcar

Bohol:

• Baclayon
• Loon
• Loboc

This is a must have book and you should get one, if you can still find a copy.

A new ebook that I am offering to subscribers of this blog! It consists of 35 stunning photos of Philippine Spanish colonial era churches around the country from Luzon to Mindanao.

Sample page 1

Sample page 2

Subscribe now and get this photo ebook. This is what I’ve been planning to offer my subscribers: A Selection of Philippine Church Façades! The edifices featured here are those that I have taken for the book project Philippine Church Façades which was published in August 2007. The contents:

• 35 Spanish colonial era churches
• 23 provinces
• 3 major regions: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao

This ebook is just a sample of the beautiful churches found in the country. To see more of the total 160 featured structures and read important information on history and architecture, get the book at the San Agustin Museum (+63 2 5266794 or +63 2 5274060).

Download Now

A Selection of Philippine Church Façades (896)

Metro Manila

San Agustin, Guadalupe, Tondo, Malabon, Ermita de Mandaluyong*, Navotas, Malate, Paranaque, Pasig, Beaterio de Pasig, Pateros, and Taguig

Laguna

San Pablo de los Montes (now San Pablo City)

Batangas

Batangas City, San Jose, Ibaan, Cuenca, Lipa, Tanauan, Talisay*, Bauan, Taal, Caysasay, and Lemery

Bulacan

Calumpit, Bulacan*, Guiguinto, Malolos, Sta. Isabel, Barasoain, Paombong, Hagonoy, Pulilan, Baliwag, Angat, Bustos, Plaridel, Balagtas, San Rafael, and San Miguel de Mayumo

Pampanga

Lubao, Betis, Macabebe, Candaba, Bacolor, Mexico, Arayat, Guagua, Sexmoan (now Sasmuan), Porac, Apalit, Magalang, Minalin, Sta. Rita, San Fernando, Sta. Ana, San Simon, Angeles, San Luis, Floridablanca, and Masantol

Tarlac

Tarlac City, Concepcion, and Victoria*

Nueva Ecija

Gapan, Cabiao, San Antonio, Cabanatuan*, and Penaranda

La Union

Agoo*, Aringay, Bauang, San Fernando, San Juan, Bacnotan, Naguilian, Luna, Balaoan, and Bangar

Ilocos Sur

Tagudin, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Lucia, Candon, Santiago, San Esteban, Sta. Maria, Narvacan, Santa, Bantay, San Ildefonso, Magsingal, San Juan, Cabugao, and Sinait

Ilocos Norte

Laoag, Bacarra, Pasuquin, Bangui, Vintar, Sarrat, Piddig, Dingras, San Nicolas, Batac, Paoay, and Badoc

Abra

Bangued, La Paz*, and Pidigan

Iloilo

San Jose, Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miagao, San Joaquin, Leon, Tubungan, Alimodian, Jaro, La Paz, Pavia, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, Janiuay, Lambunao*, Calinog, Leganes, Pototan, Dingle, Duenas, Passi, Dumangas, Barotac Nuevo, and Banate

Capiz

Capiz, Dao, Loctugan, Dumalag, Panay, and Dumarao

Antique

Anini-y, Bugason, and Patnongon*

Palawan (under Cagayan Islands)

Cagayancillo*

Cebu

Santo Nino, San Nicolas, Carcar, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Argao, Opon, Naga, Sibonga, Talisay, Oslob, Minglanilla, San Fernando, Cordova, Pardo, Nueva Caceres, Alcoy, and Talamban (Mabolo)

*no photo included in the 2nd edition

The book covers the provinces in Luzon and the Visayas where the Order was most active. Featuring mostly colonial era churches and some that has been subject to indiscriminate renovations and alterations or new structures (post-Spanish) as the old crumbled due to natural and man made calamities.

There are 16 chapters divided into geographical areas. At the start of each chapter is an introduction on the province/area. This is then followed by the specific municipality/town with detailed descriptions: the town’s geographical area, historical foundation, the church’s construction and style, and snippets of historical information. It also has a Glossary as well as very helpful Bibliographical information and footnote details.

The book has been published in two editions and there are differences that will be cited below.

Angels in Stone: Architecture of the Augustinian Churches in the Philippines is the first edition published in Manila by G.A. Formoso Publishing, 1987. The seed of an idea was first concieved when the author, after arriving in 1963 toured the churches Pampanga and was awe struck by the beauty of the unique architectural legacies that were built by the Augustinians who came before him. Twenty years later, this book came into fruition.

It consists of around 800 black and white photos that the author himself captured when he visited all the Augustinian churches in the country. Where churches have been altered or are newer structures, an archival photo, if available, of how the colonial era church would have looked like is included. There are also archival photos showing the interior for some churches. What I liked about this edition is that there are many photos showing various details of the exterior and interior including some furnishings as well as ruins. Architecural details and style samples found at the preface gives the reader an idea of how such style looks like are included as well (but not in the second edition).

This edition is long out of print and very hard to find. It takes a long and persistent search just to find one in specialized bookstores.

The second edition, Angels in Stone: Augustinian Churches in the Philippines was published 9 years after the first edition. Its a heavier and a more elegant book compared to the former and was published in Hongkong. The text has been revised and added with new information inlcuding the four baroque churches inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The biggest change though are the photos. These have been updated and now done in color by the Filipino photographer Dick Baldovino. And, compared to the first edition, the photos are fewer with less details. These are mostly front exterior/facade shots with select churches showing the interior, altar and pulpit.

For one who is a lover of Philippine ecclesiastical architecture, both books are important as the photos in each editions complement.