On March 16, 1521. . .
Lets give credit to Yoyoy Villame, the Calape born, musical composer, who carved the song, “Magellan”, giving impact to the date, March 16, 1521. We can always remember the date because of him.
The year 1521 gave our Christianity to us and this year – 2021 – is the 500th year anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines brought to our shores by Spain. Cebu is at the forefront of the celebration for it was where Magellan planted the cross of Christianity, making Cebu as Christianity’s cradle.
I can never forget these bits of information extracted from the archive of my 24 units of Spanish: La Cuna Del Kristianismo.
There was a time in Philippine education, when it was legislated that to finish a baccalaureate course, one must have taken 24 units of Spanish. And it’s only now that I realize that I must have taken the course seriously. Although my Spanish teacher thought that I was Spanish speaking student.
Even in high school, we already had Spanish in our 4th year class. All I could remember was it was Mrs. Abad at St. Joseph College who taught us the subject. She also modeled for us how to do the ‘Pastores a Belen’. And from every Christmas break in our first day of class, I remember Mrs. Abad would distribute to us pastillas from Ubay. Daku na gyud to namong kalipay. Mao kadto ang panahaon nga ang siakoy tagduha ra ang ‘singkostavos’ sa canteen ni mother Soledad sa St. Joseph College.
So, Christendom in the Philippines has already planned a grand celebration for this 500th year celebration. But Covid intervened. Despite the Covid pandemic, everybody is still looking forward to this red letter year. I called a former college friend from way way back. There must be a message for all that is happening around us, my friend said. Covid must have provided to us a year of reflection and soul preparation. Carrie Tharan, sent to me an inspiring message from the homily of Fr. Alvarez in last Sunday’s services: ‘The worst of times can lead us to the best of times”. Recently, I learned that my friends, though we don’t often meet, got me connected thru our “Paseo” article two Sundays ago. The “messenger” is really helping us get through our friends. Their messages truly eniliven my spirit.
I have dreamed of having a celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in our own parish of Baclayon. It’s not a dream in my sleep, but a dream in my waking up moments. What is my dream? I’m thinking along the lines of preserving the Spanish built heritage including the greening of the church environs especially the “Campo Santo” which used to be a cemetery.
Why the Campo Santo? In the early 80’s, I was privileged to stay for a few days at the posh Ayala Alabang area. My stay there brought me back to the poem Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard. When you stay at Alabang, and you get out from church, you will have a sight to behold. As you go home from church, you will pass by Sta. Susana and eventually pass by the Campo Santo. It’s a park and doesn’t look scary at all. It’s just like in the poem, “Elegy Written in a . . .”
In our town in Baclayon, we have two Catholic cemeteries. The older one is called kota and the other one, just across, is called guod since the latter is surrounded with plants of bamboo. That was before. This time only a small portion is lined with bamboo plants. The place can be re-invented into a park though I’ve read in novels that a tree is always planted beside the tomb in Jewish tradition. Although we cannot do it in our cemeteries, yet, I believe that the place should have order and “colored” green with plants.
In the middle of the lot where the guod cemetery is situated, lies the tomb of Padre Juan Villamor, the first Filipino parish priest, after a line of Spanish priests. Something must be done to his tomb for the memory.
Kota on the other hand could be like Paco park. At the center is a kapilya. Nobody gets inside the kapilya now kay nahimo man lang kini nga tambakan. There used to be a wide painting as backdrop of the altar. Behind the altar are the tombs of the angels. By angels, I mean the infant children. This part is separated from the main altar by means of a low-built patio. If all these would just be left as they are now, these would remain a big waste. I dream to pave the way for people to treasure these Spanish – built legacy from Spain.
It’s part of my dream to imagine the person who is most capable to do these things to the parish. If only I could knock on the bishop’s door to ask for this particular priest to come back to our parish. I am sure the parishioners will all be happy for we could all bring back the parish to its old glory: La Parroquia de la Purissima Concepcion Es La Cuna del Kristianismo en Bohol.