Ruins of the original kumbento found at the back

The construction of the original kumbento (parochial house) of Anini-y was continued by Fray Jeronimo Vaquerin when he arrived 1878 and finished it a year later. During World War II, it was almost totally destroyed and the current structure was built over the ruins. One can still see the form of the 19th century edifice, made from cut coral stones, although, only the lower portion still exists. The kumbento is located a few meters left of the church.

More than a year after the fire, still more to be done.

Close up view of the renovated retablo and main altar which is still being worked on

Around two weeks ago, I was traveling down south and passed by Oslob Church to check on the status. 19 months after the devastating fire, there is still so much to do. The only thing that I have observed thus far are the restored roof and retablo. The vicinity of the altar is still being worked on.

At the nave, it’s still the same condition while the stations of the cross, with cement bas relief, which were badly damaged, are now replaced with what seems to be printed illustrations.

The belfry is much more spacious now and I was surprised to see that the stone pedestal of the wooden retablo has some faint traces of paint which indicate that this originally had some decorations.

Outside, the damaged stations of the cross were just placed near the right side entrance while the once beautiful kumbento is still lying neglected and in ruins. The entire left side of the church, near the perimeter fence, is empty now where once big trees stood.

The back of the "kumbento"

Thanx to Jobers Bersales, some Cebu archival images (scans) from the Ahlborn Collection was made available to me. Part of the collection are black and white images of Oslob Church, the mortuary chapel and the kumbento.

The kumbento photo shows the back, as seen from the nave, with its intact lower walls and, probably, tabique pampango upper walling. Compare this with the fourth image in my kumbento post and you can see very well the changes that have been implemented. Take note of the hollow block and new window in the lower part as well sa the cemented portions of the upper part. While the sliding capiz windows are still as is, the back windows, as seen in the sixth image has already been changed. Do note that after the fire of march 2008, the kumbento was razed to the ground.

Mortuary chapel that was labeled as armory.

The mortuary chapel located infront of the church is still existing until now. However, comparing the archival photo and the current structure, much has changed. The old image still has the original tejas (tiles) roofing, ableit, in bad condition, and the four walls the present one only has the facade and finials present.

Gospel side of the church showing the damaged portion of the pyramidal dome as a result of the 1955 fire

This photo is particularly interesting. Here, the pyramidal dome is still being constructed. Note that the church also got burned in 1955, due to unknown reasons, and here, about 10 years later, it is still not finished. You can see the finished dome in this post that existed prior to the March 2008 fire.

The rest of the images shows the facade as well as portions of the perimeter fence.

The Richard Ahlborn Collection (c. 1965) is a photographic survey of Filipino-Hispanic religious structures and art, specifically Spanish colonial era churches and artifacts. It consists of 568 black and white negatives and prints made by Abbye A Gorin and Harriet Blum which is now deposited in the Latin American Library of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. The photo archive spans various islands and provinces in the country: Bohol, Cebu, Albay, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Laguna, La Union, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal, Sorsogon, Zambales, Negros Occidental and Iloilo.

From Richard E. Ahlborn (1933- ) Collection, c. 1965

The sala of Carcar Church's kumbento is richly decorated.

The photos used in this series were taken between 2005 and 2008 as the author visits this church from time to time. Special thanx to Lorens Gibb Lapinid for the assistance in 2008.

The kumbento of Carcar Church is one of the biggest in the province of Cebu. It was also one of the richest. Unfortunately, the interior today is just a shadow of it’s former self. During the incumbency of a parish priest between the 1980s and 90s, and who is now assigned in another parish today, a fire sale of antique church items and furnishings was done. One woman even said that a helicopter and a truck were brought to transport these out.

Much has already been changed but traces of the old can still be found. In the sala, one can marvel at the beautiful embellishments as well as the ceiling painting including the panels and arches that echoes the choirloft of the church. At the corridor, or if one will call it, antesala, wall and ceiling paintings are still intact while a beautiful antique bench provides a point of interest. The original hardwood floors are also still there.

The kumbento of Carcar Church is huge, a testament to it's importance. It is built separate from the church.

The kumbento of Carcar Church is one of the biggest in Cebu, a testament to its wealth in a prosperous town. The masonry and wood structure was built, probably around 1885, during the term of Fr. Mauel Fernandez Rubio, an Augustinian friar who has done much for the town. He was also the one who finished the church in 1875, painted the ceilings, had two bells cast (dated 1880 and 1882) as well as constructed the road leading to the beach.

The photos used in this series were taken between 2005 and 2008 as the author visits this church from time to time. Special thanx to Lorens Gibb Lapinid for the assistance in 2008.

It is 33 meters long and 26 meters wide and when it was finished, it has galvanized iron roofing. Like the one in Sibonga, the next town, it is built separate from the church but is in line with the façade. Large windows covered with wrought iron grills are located at the first floor which is made of masonry. The second floor, made of wood, also has large windows with translucent capiz shells in grids making up the sliding panels. Below these are ventanillas. The detail and care that went into its construction is amazing. It is to appreciate sites such as this that many tourists book their airline tickets to Cebu. Admirers of architecture are spoiled when they visit the Carcar Church kumbento.

Fascinating architectural details are located just below the roof. Here, several wooden panels depict many Augustinian symbols that are shown in the gallery below.

View of kumbento from the front lateral entrance.

Archival photo of kumbento On 26 March 08, an 8 hour fire gutted the more than a century old kumbento (parish house) and church of Oslob in Cebu. What was left were the thick stone walls and belfry as well as an icon of the parish patron. This is my tribute to this beautiful and historic church with photos taken in 2005, 2006 and 2008. This is the 7th installment of a series.

The kumbento was first started by Fr. Julian Bermejo and was finished between 1848 and 1850 by Fr. Juan Aragones who reinforced it with buttresses. In 1977, Fr. Constantino Batoctoy renovated it. It is one of the very few kumbentos in Cebu which still retained its tejas roofing like Boljoon` but some sections are already with corrugated sheets. The first floor has been partitioned with cement walls. These are not apparent outside.

Front view.

Back-side view as seen from the nave of the church.

Detail of back entrance and window. Note the coral stones and exposed areas.

Back view of the kumbento as seen from the tennis court.

Roof view as seen from the belfry. Note clay tiles and corrugated sheet as roofing.

View of one part of the kumbento, right side. Note the tejas roofing.

View of interior: left, dining area; right, one of the wooden posts made from a single tree trunk.

View of the interior: left, view of sala; right, detail of ramillete which is used as wall decoration.

Originally a passageway where horses, carts and people pass, it is just under the kumbento and just
beside the church like in Dalaguete. It has been covered and converted into a sacristy as the original
sacristy located at the back of the altar was converted into an adoration chapel.

View of flooring: left, flooring of second floor as viewed from below; right, still original tiles of 1st level.

Century old wooden carving (top: full view; bottom right and left, details) which was said to be the insignia of a past bishop (or cardinal?) which greets the visitor as he comes up the stairs going to the second floor.

The form of the convento is usually of the bahay na bato style wherein the lower portion is made of stone and the upper part of wood. However, there are also all stone or brick conventos like the one in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. In some places, like the one in Atimonan, its fortified against attackers.

Other houses include monasteries and seminaries, casas de hacienda, nunneries and bishop’s houses which are all separated from the church. Unfortunately, these structures are often neglected. If these are not converted to schools (at least, these are given a second lease of existence), some have been demolished and in its place are commercial establishments like the mall in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur where the seminary used to stand. Some have been abandoned and crumbling like the one in Paoay, across the street from the right side of the church where one of Fernando Poe’s films was shot. While others have been renovated, expanded and updated with the times like the one in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan complete with walls made of cement and windows made of glass.