Relivin' Minalin

relivin' minalin HIST ORY

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D O CUMENTATION

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CHARACTER

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S GNIFICANCE

Submitted by:

Joriel Vincent T. Magat 4AR-2 Submitted to:

Ar. Ramil Tibayan HC Instructor

relivin' minalin

contents

INSIDE

INTRODUCTION

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DOCUMENTATION

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CHARACTER DEFINING ELEMENTS

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ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

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STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

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photo by: Raymundo Feliciano

INTRODUCTION

STA. MONICA PARISH CHURCH

Minalin brags one of the most beautiful churches in the country—the Sta. Monica Church— which showcases a very unique façade, mimicking that of a giant retablo. The Santa Monica Parish Church or famously known as the Minalin Church, is a Baroque church built during the Spanish era, located in poblacion area of San Nicolas in Minalin, Pampanga, Philippines. The now four-century old Minalin Church of Barangay San Nicolas is one of the first 20 missions put up by the Augustinians when they came to the Philippines.

On August 27, 2011, the church was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National 4

Commission for Culture and the Arts and the National Museum of the Philippines, joining the other 36 churches in the country bestowed with the same honor.

The parish church is part of the ecclesiastical province of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando, under the Vicariate of Christ The King.The church is dedicated to Saint Monica of Hippo, which feast day is celebrated annually every second Sunday of May. The current parish priest is Rev. Fr. Eric de Guzman succeeding Rev. Fr. Greg Vega.

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Minalin parish was founded in 1614 and started as a visita (sub-parish) of Macabebe, Pampanga.

1618 Fr. Miguel de Saldaña was assigned in 1618 as its own parish priest.

1624 The parish of Minalin became an independent vicariate under its prior, Fr. Martín Vargas on October 31, 1624.

1633 On 1633, Minalin was given the two visitas of Pangasinan and Tubungao (Sta. Maria).

1638 Barangay Sta. Maria, the original location of the church, was formed from an area of land that was ceded by the Datu of Macabebe to settlers Mendiola, Nucum, Lopez and Intal in 1638. It was named after the settlers’ wives, who were all named Maria.

However, lumber stocks for the church construction were carried by floods from Santa Maria to a hilly place called Burol, which eventually became the location of the present church. The legend of the town’s name came from the Kapampangan phrase “minalis la ding dutung, minalis ya ing pisamban” which means “the lumber moved, and so must the church”. Hence, Capitan Diego Tolentino named the location as “minalis”, which evolved into “Minalin.”

1764 There are no records as to who built the church, however, it has been attributed to the work of Augustinian Fr. Manuel Franco Tubil in 1764.

1834 It was said on one documented source that the church’s completion by the Augustinians dates on 1834.

It was also during this year when a devastating flood occurred and even reached its main altar despite the church’s elevated location.

historyTIMELINE

1614

history TiMELINE 1854-1895 The Church has undergone reconstruction at various stages: in 1854, 1877 by Fr. Isidro Bernardo, in 1885 by P. Galo de la Fuente and in 1895 by Vicente Ruiz) Fr. José Torres’ petition to rebuild the church and parochial house, was also granted on July 5, 1866. The last Augustinian friar was Fr. Faustino Diez and the church was turned over to Alcalde (Mayor) Pedro Diaz and to the first native priest P. Macario Panlilio.

1937 Rev. Fr. Prudencio David, parish priest of Minalin, requested for the re-plastering of the walls and repainting of the church interiors and was approved by the Most Rev. Michael J. O’Doherty, Archbishop of Manila, in 1937.

2011 The Santa Monica Church was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines on August 27, 2011. According to the director of the National Museum of the Philippines, Director Jeremy Barns, there are three reasons why it was honored as such. First, its giant retablolike facade. Second is its four capilla posas and lastly is the old painting of the Our Lady of Consolation.

photo by: Heritage Conservation Society

DOCUMENTATION

Vicinity of Sta. Monica Church captured via Google Earth

site context

The Sta. Monica Church is situated at San Nicolas, Minalin, Pampanga. As seen on the photos, it is located on a very rural area where there not a lot of establishments and commercial structures.

Residential houses, rice fields, fish ponds are what can be found within it’s vicinity. The church is also located near a creek.

Aerial view captured via Google Earth

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Here are some street view photos of the Sta. Monica Church of Minalin, Pampanga. As seen on the photos, the front, rear and left side of the church are easily seen along the streets. However, you can only appreciate the right side of the church when you are inside the property already. The entire lot or complex of where the church is located has roads accessible on all sides, although most of it are designated as one-way to make the vehicular flow efficient.

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street views

church EXTERIOR

Just by the look of the church you can really tell that the church’s design includes motifs reflective of pre-Hispanic culture. The spires embellishing the bell towers depict a Moorish architecture, hinting of the old Islamic faith of early Minaleños. None of the other 20 mission churches have such similar motifs thus, making it unique among them all. But, the dominant decorative traits of the Minalin Church follows the Baroque Architecture. There are also several examples of this style in the churches built in the 18th century or before, just like the chruches of Betis, Lipa, San Vicente, Candon, Magsingal and Sarrat.

According to Minalin Parish Priest, Fr. Vega, the church and convent is probably a center of religious

orders – foremost Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits and Dominicans. They heavily influenced the life and culture of the natives as evidenced by the images of Saint Augustine, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Dominic and Saint Francis Xavier in the reredos

The Santa Monica Church measures 52 metres (171 ft) long, 13 metres (43 ft) wide and 11 metres (36 ft) high. Its façade also features twin bell towers. It has a transept and some very beautiful reredos. What is also visible in it’s facade is the original red brick walls, revaled by the peeled palitada (outer layer), giving the church its unique old-rose touches. The evident materials used in constructing the church are sand, gravel, cement, mortar, steel and bricks.

photo by: Corygelera

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

But among its other architectural features, the most notable and striking one is the church’s retablolike façade, especially the lavishly floral decorations around its the main entrance and the windows above it. This floral décor is evocative of early folk altars.

Moreover, an array of coupled Corinthian columns artistically crowd the center of the facade which act as support for the triangular pediment that is topped by a roof lantern or cupola. During the Spanish era, in order to guide fishermen as they made their way from the river to the town, a lighted beacon was placed on top of the apex of the pediment. Furtthermore, the structure is also complemented with a short row of balusters. The semi-circular niches houses painted stone statues of various Augustinian saints, designed

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

to blend with the rose windows on its facade.

The design also gives a dramatic contrast between volumes and projecting fenestrations, rose windows and semi-circular statue niches. The vertical movement is then accentuated by the twin hexagonal four-story bell towers ajoining the facade.

The two hexagonal towers are also solidly built and they house the four bells dated between 1850 and 1877 which are dedicated to Saint Augustine and Saint Monica. The church-convent complex is enclosed by a low stone atrium with four capillas posas which is one of the features of the church that makes it unique in the country.

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church EXTERIOR

what's outside?

Here are more photos of the exterior part of the Minalin Church which includes its facade, its Sacred Heart of Jesus statue located on its plaza in front, one of its capillas posas, one of its ceturies old bell and its rear entrance.

photos by: R. F. Velasquez and Raymundo Feliciano

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church INTERIOR Despite the various stages of renovation it has undergone, especially with its interiors, the church has maintain the rustic and very traditional theme of interiors.

This could be seen through the materials used which includes, bricks, wood, and marble. The motifs inside also follows Baroque Architecture which is very evident on its reredo on the altar. The interior also is not that so lit, giving churh goers a more solemn vibe.

photo by: Armanbarbuco

photo by: Heritage Conservation Society

Here are more photos of the what does the interior of the Sta. Monica Church looks like. In the photos you can see the church’s pulpit, the tabernacle on its main altar, the ceiling and the chandeliers that serves as both ornaments and lighting, the nave leading to the altar, the choir loft and the blue and white stained glass windows.

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what's i nside?

photos by: Judgefloro

alta rs a nd mu se um Aside its reredo on its main altar, the church also houses different side altars dedicated to Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Crucified Christ and of course the relic of Saint Monica, their patron saint. The church also houses a museum which showcases religious artifacts, documents and memorabilia

photos by: R. F. Velasquez

dama ge AsSESMENT Being a 400 year-old church, you can really say without a doubt that the church of Minalin no longer perfectly looks like its original appearance when it was initially built. It has already undergone a lot of calamities and deterioration is something inevitable through time. Variuos renovations and intervations were also made in order to preserve and conserve this beautiful and unique church. Now, let as assess the deterioration that could be seen on photos and identify the interventions or changes that were done to the structure.

The photo below is an archival photo of the Sta. Monica Church which shows what it looks like before. Using this photo let us compare it to what it looks like now.

photo by: Jason Roa

eroded grouting

efflorescence

loss of plaster grime

vegetation

moss

grime cement intervention

chipped material

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

Based on these photos of a part of the facade of the church, different damages or deterioration are visible. This includes the presence of biological growth, moss and some vegetation. Grime due to pollution are also seen on the walls and columns. Certain parts of the facade also have the presence of efflorescence. Unlike the structure on the old photo, the plaster is no longer present which resulted to the deterioration of the bricks and the grout which later on led to the intervention of cement.

loss of plaster vegetation

cement intervention

biological growth

grime

efflorescence

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

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grime

eroded grouting

lichens loss of plaster

moss

cracks

photo by: Judgefloro

loss of plaster

shorter door

eroded material

elevation of floor

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

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For these photos, what is very evident is the loss of plaster on the bell tower and its walls. Because the protective barrier is no longer present, it has exposed the main material to deterioration. There are also some bricks which are missing, chipped or has already eroded. The grouting on most of the parts are also have eroded. Moss is also starting to grow. The floral elements on its arches got eroded as well. As you can notice, the door became shorter as well unlike on the original photo. This is because the floor got elevated due to the lahar that flooded the church during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

At the rear part of the church, you would also see the presence of biological growth such us lichens and moss on the walls. There are also some parts with efflorescence and grime. But what I want o highlight on this part is the addition of new material in order to elevate the roof because with elevation of the floor due to the lahar brought by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, the ceiling height and clearance become lower than its original height.

moss addition of new material

lichens (biological growth)

grime

efflorescence

photo by: Judgefloro

broken glass

loss of material lichens

grime chipped material peeling of plaster photo by: R. F. Velasquez

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photo by: Joelaldor

CHARACTER DEFINING ELEMENTS

WHAT MAKES IT "THE SANTA MONICA CHURCH OF MINALIN"

All of the heritage structures, most especially those declared as National Cultural Treasures or even UNESCO World Heritage Sites, possess something that gives them or adds to their heritage value. Aside of being a very old structure, they possess characters that serves as reasons why they should be preserved.

Now, what makes the Minalin Church special?

What makes it unique? What makes it a National Cultural Treasure? What makes it The Santa Monica Church of Minalin?

Aside of being a very old structure, the church boasts numerous features or reasons why it is unique 24

from the other churches here in the Philippines and why it is worth preserving of.

According to the director of the National Museum of the Philippines, Director Jeremy Barns, what makes the Minalin Church stands out among all Baroque Churches in the Philippines are these three reasons First is its giant retablo-like facade. Another feature only the Minalin Church have are its four capillas posas. Lastly is also houses the old painting of the Our Lady of Consolation. However, there are more character defining elements that makes this structure a treasure worth it to be cherished and preserved for the future generation.

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retablo-like facade The facade resembles a giant retablo that shows influences of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Animism. It is accentuated by the Corinthian columns and the twin hexagonal bell towers on its sides. The floral carvings present also adds to its baroque details. It also showcases arched niches and a rose windowabove its entrance.

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

four CAPILl as posas

The minor altars of Santa Monica Church located on its sides and back makes the church as one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in the country. The four capillas posas are concrete arched structures used as “oratory stations” for the Blessed Sacrament during Christ the King, Corpus Christi and other similar events.

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

The capilla posa distinguishes Santa Monica Church as the only church in the Philippine that has these features fully preserved and are still intact today. During the Hispanization of Minalin, these altars were used by Filipinos, which were then termed by the Spaniards as Indios, as the church interior was reserved for “peninsulares” or the full-blooded FilipinoSpaniards.

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photo by: R. F. Velasquez

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photo by: R. F. Velasquez

painting of

OUR L ADY OF CONSOL ATION

Loacted at the apex of the main altar is one of the churches highly valued possession, the old painting of Our Lady of Consolation. When St. Monica in a vision received a black leather belt from the Blessed Virgin, who assured the holy widow that she would take under her special protection all those who wore it in her honor is the reason why the devotion to Our Lady of Consolation began. In return, Monica gave it to her son, Augustine, who later changed his ways and eventually became one of the saints in the Roman Catholic Church.

The 18th-century painting of Our Lady of Consolation at the top level of the reredos of the main altar of Sta Monica Parish Church, pictures the

Blessed Virgin Mary holding Jesus her child. She is wearing a cord which is a representation of a belt that she supposedly gave to St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine. The belt is believed as a “symbol of chastity” that represents Mary’s Immaculate Conception delivery of Jesus into the world according to Rev. Fr. Pedro Galende, director of the San Agustin Museum.

The feast of Our Lady of Consolation is celebrated every September 4 while the Clausura Procession is held every last Saturday of the month after the mid-morning Mass. The image is passed on from one shoulder to another shoulder by devotees as the procession goes around the convent in the tradition of the early monastic period.

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minalin MURAL The ancient mural painting or also knwon as the Minalin Mural is a primitive-looking map with details of trees, ducks, crows, a boat, a hunter and a crocodile. It is 89 inches (2,300 mm) wide and 113 inches (2,900 mm) tall showing the flora and fauna of Minalin during the early 1600s. It is a believed to be a tale of “prehistoric landscape of riverine communities”, marshes and swamps with birds, agricultural land with damulag (carabao) and a farmer at the background. The map depicts the town as the seat of the Kapampangan region, according to a will by Francisco Malang Balagtas or Pansomun.

The ancient painting is made of argamasa – a type of cement used during the period which is made of a mixture of lime mortar, fine river sand, and egg whites. The mural bears the date “1619”, and is believed to have been made within five years of that date.

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE historical SIGNIFICANCE

ae sthetic SIGNIFICANCE

Being a 400 year old church, it without a doubt possesses historical significance. The Minalin church has already became a great part of the history of not just the people in Minalin but a big part of the Philippine History as well. It has witnessed different eras or periods in Philippine History, starting the Spanish Colonial Era until now that we are on the 21st Century.

In terms of aesthetic significance, the Minalin Church is one of the beautiful Baroque churches in the Philippines. What adds more to its aesthetic significance is its unique retablo-like facade which is not just uncommon to other baroque churches but also showcases different beliefs and influences.

Moreover, despite being old, it has still remained its beauty though in a different and unique way. This beautiful church is something the future generation should still see and appreciate.

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religious SIGNIFICANCE

so cial SIGNIFICANCE

The fact that this church is still intact and well preserved is because it gives its parishioners a place of religious congregation. What adds to its religious significance are the different unique features it possess like its four capillas posas which only the Minalin Church have all over the country, its painting of Our Lady of Consolation and even the pierced heart of Sta. Monica on its bas relief. The church and convent is also became a center of religious orders – foremost Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits and Dominicans.

With these reasons, the structure does have religious significance.

The Minalin Church also became a reason to mold and build a community within its vicinity. It became not just a place to worship but also a place that gathers people and create relationships. The Sta. Monica Church has also witnessed the ups and downs of the people in Minalin which made the community stronger. Even the murals it possesses, they depict how this church and its surrounding influenced the natives which later on help in their socialization and building of community.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE “ The Sta. Monica Church of Minalin, Pampanga is a church or heritage structure one must preserve and conserve due to the significance it possesses. Despite the damages brought by calamities and deterioration brought by time, it has still maintained its integrity, authenticity and beauty. Hence, it is deserving to be graded as a HIGH status of significance. Possesing four out of five of the types of significance helps in grading the structure easily. Moreover, being a very unique structure in the country gives it more significance. Thus, may we keep on protecting the church and reliving the memories and traditions it has brought to all of us.”

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ANNEX BUILDING / SITE SURVEY FORM BASIC INFORMATION Building Name: STA. MONICA PARISH / MINALIN CHURCH Location: SAN NICOLAS, MINALIN, PAMPANGA Architect: UNKNOWN Year od Construction:1764-1834 Architectural Style: BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE Function: RELIGIOUS Entry to Heritage List: NATIONAL CULTURAL TREASURE BUILDING ANALYSIS Method of Construction: UNREINFORCED MASONRY (BRICK AND STONE) Character Defining Elements: RETABLO-LIKE FACADE, FOUR CAPILLAS POSAS, PAINTING OF OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION, MINALIN MURAL, PIERCED HEART STA. MONICA RELIEF, ETC. What is the general condition of the building: BASED ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND FROM GOOGLE STREET VIEW, THE BUILDING IS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION BUT NOT PERFECT. IT SHOWS SIGNS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF WEAR AND TEAR AND DETORIATION. IT ALSO SHOWS INTERVENTIONS MADE. Any other observations: THE BUILDING IS VERY UNIQUE AND ONE OF A KIND. IT IS VERY PROMISING THAT IT IS STILL INTACT AFTER ALL THE CALAMITIES IT HAS EXPERIENCED. SIGNIFICANCE Historical Significance: The Minalin church has already became a great part of the history of not just

the people in Minalin but a big part of the Philippine History as well. It has witnessed different eras or periods in Philippine History, starting the Spanish Colonial Era until now that we are on the 21st Century.

Aesthetic Significance: The Minalin Church is one of the beautiful Baroque churches in the Philippines.

What adds more to its aesthetic significance is its unique retablo-like facade which is not just uncommon to other baroque churches but also showcases different beliefs and influences. Moreover, despite being old, it has still remained its beauty though in a different and unique way. This beautiful church is something the future generation should still see and appreciate.

Technological Significance: NONE

Religious Significance: The fact that this church is still intact and well preserved is because it gives its

parishioners a place of religious congregation. What adds to its religious significance are the different unique features it possess like its four capillas posas which only the Minalin Church have all over the country, its painting of Our Lady of Consolation and even the pierced heart of Sta. Monica on its bas relief.

The church and convent is also became a center of religious orders – foremost Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits and Dominicans. With these reasons, the structure does have religious significance.

Social Significance: The Minalin Church also became a reason to mold and build a community within its vicinity. It became not just a place to worship but also a place that gathers people and create relationships.

The Sta. Monica Church has also witnessed the ups and downs of the people in Minalin which made the community stronger. Even the murals it possesses, they depict how this church and its surrounding influenced the natives which later on help in their socialization and building of community.

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REFERENCES Castro, A. D. R. (2021, December 3). 67. Pampanga’s Churches: STA. MONICA CHURCH, MINALIN. Views From The Pampang. http://viewsfromthepampang.blogspot.com/2008/01/67-pampangas-churches-sta-monica-church.html Orejas, T. (2011a, July 13). Minalin mural awaits restoration. INQUIRER.Net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/23468/minalin-mural-awaits-restoration Orejas, T. (2011, August 10). Reconstructing town’s past through old photos. INQUIRER.Net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/39025/reconstructing-town%E2%80%99s-past-through-old-photos Ruiz, P. (2021, September 29). Minalin Church. ICatholic.Ph. https://icatholic.ph/minalin-church/