STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

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.

ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

historical SIGNIFICANCE aesthetic 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.

religious SIGNIFICANCE social 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.”

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.

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