Behold, the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippine
Yoyoy Villame made an impact on history through his song. This gentleman from Calape, once sang line, “On March 16, 1521, when Magellan landed in the Philippine Island”.
Whether in Limasawa or Butuan, which is still a subject of debate, the fact remains that the Spaniards brought Christianity to the Philippines. So, by 2021 the country will be celebrating its 500th year of Christianity, a boon from the Spaniards. The center of the celebration is Cebu, and dioceses now are already preparing for year-long celebration.
Yoyoy Villame’s song has helped in the indelible marking of the historical date deep in our minds and hearts.
It is said that our hometown of Baclayon is the cradle of Christianity in Bohol. It was in 1595 that the seed of Christianity was planted in our shores by two Jesuit priests: Padre Torres and Padre Sanchez. Eric Cañete is the best tour guide to lecture on this matter’ for he can discuss in details the history of our hometown.
I remember very well our celebration of the 400th year of Christianity in our hometown. I was fortunate to have been part of the Bacrai (Baclayon Church Restorers Association), headed by Carmen Gatal, the lady who used to head the provincial office of the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government).
I am talking about the post Edsa years and in those years the focus was on our culture and heritage. I remember valuable key points during those years: that was the dawning of Bohol tourism; the Baclayon church was made as the center of preservation and restoration; NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts) was actively exposing to the townspeople the techniques in preservation and restoration; and the University of the Philippine had its laudable program here called, the University of the Philippines Pahinungud.
Indeed, NCCA gave us experts in restoration and preservation. Their students were volunteers from the University of the Philippines Cebu Fine Arts department headed by Raymund l. Fernandez, my new son-in-law at that time.
Bacrai on one hand is our financial arm. We had that program of raising P1 M for the project. NCCA gave us technical expertise but I am proud to say that the cost of their coming over was shoulrdered by Bacrai.
The funding scheme was P1T per Baclayon family here and abroad. But there were several friends who gave more in dollars and in pesos. The names were posted on the main door of the Baclayon church to show proper acknowledgement. Until now, Bacrai has kept the records of donors and we feel a sense of gratitude every time we review the list. Moreover, the mounting of the window stained glass in church was made possible through the countryside development fund of the late senator Raul Roco whose wife Sonia is partly a Baclayanon.
We also embarked on the greening of the park fronting the church led by Nong Ite Mendez (Graciano Mendez). It was just what we called as the piso-piso for greening. That was one project of mine fully supported by my mother, Mama Gunding, her friends, Nang Dinay, Anding Laling, and Tio Paterno. They are all gone now. Expressions of gratitude also go to my Tio Meling who pitched in his services while watering the plants when Nong Ite was on vacation in Australia to be with his wife and two children. Thank you, too, to other helping hands like the generosity of my friend Dalene and Deny. Deny was then Principal of the Baclayon Central School and she owned the responsibility of taking care of the park with the teachers and pupils.The development terrain changed when the earthquake of 2013 hit Bohol.
We are, indeed, dreaming of a beautiful landscape in the celebration of the 500th year of Christianity in our country by 2021. It is just months away, with God’s help.
With this project, we can’t help but fondly remember friends like Bishop Tumulak, Cleofas Ahat-the treasurer of Bacrai, and Tito Ipong-the church volunteer and right hand of then, Baclayon parish priest, Msgr. Dumalag.
Thank you and welcome to the celebration!