In Passing: San Antonio, Quezon

San Antonio is the place you would definitely pass through if you would take the short cut to Padre Garcia, Batangas via San Pablo, Laguna. I would not put in historical tidbits here for I really have not dug in any. I would just like to share some of the shots I had while taking the ride back from Padre Garcia and Rosario.

* the local church in San Antonio

* the town market; curiously far from the residential areas

* the fields in San Antonio; beyond these is probably Rosario

* a bridge in the midst of the greeneries - Quipot Bridge

Next task: Plan a trip to the place and visit their beautiful town library. Too bad I was not able to take a shot of it. Next time, next time.

The Last of the Places: Rosario, Batangas

* the church at Rosario town proper

* the interior of the church; there were volunteers doing some cleaning
  

* the Virgin of Caysasay

 

* Christ on the Cross at the Chapel of the Saints

 

* Our Lady of Perpetual Help

  
I was puzzled earlier because of the absence of something ‘old’ and.or ‘historic’ in the town proper of Rosario. The church itself was a mystery for it was obviously recently constructed. This question was solved by my visit to the town of Padre Garcia. They share a common history but they are now two completely different territories. It was too bad for Rosario as it had to endure the further subdivisions into towns. 
   
But the story of Rosario, the ‘Kamalig ng Palay ng Batangas’ (Rice Basket[?] of Batangas), is worth noting both as a story and as part of local history.
  

* the town hall; this one reminds me of the building-barracks in Corregidor Island

* an Aglipay church in town

* a Rizal monument just outside the town hall

* a funny interlude – a motorcyclist just had some ‘noisy’ trouble with his horn
(his horn somehow got stuck) and it almost caused a panic in the hospital nearby
    * a statue of Christ on a hill behind the town hall, reminds me of the movie '2012'
   

The early town was formed by the first Christian settlers on the southeastern shores of Batangas. It was established by the Augustinians in 1687 with Don Nicolas Morales as its first gobernadorcillo.
   
The townsfolk experienced attacks of the Moro pirates and most of them fled to the north praying the rosary. The people temporarily stayed on the place called Hilerang Kawayan and there it was first called Rosario. But it was further moved by the Dominicans to a place called Tubig ng Bayan and was maintained there until 1902.
  
It was later placed under the administration of the Recollects during the last period of the Spanish regime and it was from this original Rosario that the places San Juan, Taysan, and Lobo came from.
  
The town was witness to the surrender of General Miguel Malvar to Gen. Bell of the American Army on April 16, 1902. The center of local government was transferred to Tombol (the poblacion of the town?) on June 9, 1902. A certain Don Antonio Luancing donated the lot for the town building. 
     
The year 1949 saw the formation of the town of Padre Garcia which comprised Lumang Bayan and seven other barrios.
  

* stair leading to a small, quaint house

 

* a house turned into a flower shop

 

* the Tan Wa-Nam Restaurant, favorite place

 

* office of the Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc.

 

* the building which used to house a general hospital in Rosario, just forgot the name

  
End-thoughts: I can only see the extent of the Spanish influence as well as the story adn development of the original Rosario if I will be able to visit San Juan., Lobo, and Taysan. By the way, they have their native names before: the southeastern shores - Lobo, Hilerang Kawayan - Pinagbayanan, of Taysan and up to Tubig ng Bayan.
   

The Father Behind the Name of Padre Garcia, Batangas

* a monument/sculpture portraying the main attraction
and identity of Padre Garcia – cow trading

* Padre Garcia Public Market

* an old house in town

I first learned about the eventual division the old town of Rosario, Batangas into towns of Rosario and Padre Garcia last year when a short visit to Rosario turned out to be a very worthwhile one as I got hold of the fact that the places there are filled with many tales and historical details.

For one who knows these details, it should not be surprising at all to find Padre Garcia, Batangas quite a small town. But smallness is not a hindrance at all for 'Garcia' (as it is commonly called by the people around the place) is dubbed as the capital of the country for cattle trading. One should only look around and see posters and tarpaulins posted depicting their local leaders in some sort of Wild Wild West costumes.

I think I have seen it a long time ago in the now-defunct TV program Magandang Gabi Bayan (MGB) when every year, people trooped to the place to buy and trade cows. They have this Livestock Auction Market, a really big venue just outside their public market.

* an old, apparently abandoned entablado outside the church;
the only eye sore to the place is the presence of the big court outside the church

* a peek inside the town church; I did not know if one was allowed
to enter for obviously, it was being prepared for a wedding

The Changing of the Names

It should not be a surprise that their church there is called the Church of the Most Holy Rosary. The town was originally called Rosario. The original church, built with native materials, was erected in 1776 and was overseen by the Augustinian Recollects. People from Lobo first settled to this place because of the widespread pirate attacks in their place.

The town, together with the church, was burned during the Philippine-American War. It finally got its name of Lumangbayan because the center of local government was transferred to the present-day Rosario.

The church was then manned by the Oblates of Joseph under Rev. Fr. Antonio Fachini, OSJ. He was later murdered by the Japanese on February 14, 1945 (which recalls to mind the common phrase "a bloody valentine"). Again it suffered destruction, this time under the Japanese. Reconstruction was later made by the OSJs.

It was only in 1949 when it was renamed Padre Garcia in honor of a local priest named Vicente T. Garcia.

* Fr. Garcia, in seeming reflective mood;
the town hall is just behind the monument

* a wagon!

Fr. Vicenter Garcia - V. Caraig

I find it really silly not to recall that it is the same Fr. Garcia who defended Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere. The root of this short story of course is the "explosive" contents of the Rizal’s first novel. A certain Fr. Rodriguez released a pamphlet entitle ‘Caingat Cayo’ (which can be roughly translated as ‘Be Careful’ or ‘Be Wary’) which warned people on reading Noli Me Tangere. Rizal answered him in return, a satire called ‘La Vision de Fr. Rodriguez’.

Although I still can’t find it in my books, I think it was also around this time that Fr. Vicente Garcia (April 5, 1871-March 12, 1899) also made certain writings championing Rizal’s novel. It was here that he used the pen name V. Caraig.

[How to go to Padre Garcia, Batangas: 1) From Manila, one can board a bus bound for Lucena City, Quezon. Drop off at Tiaong, Quezon, specifically at the place they call Bantayan. This is found a few meters away from Tiaong Elementary School and the famous kurba and the big balete tree 'decorating' it. Then board a jeepney bound for Lipa City. You will pass through the town of Padre Garcia. 2) Alternatively, you can start from Lipa City. Either you board a jeepney bound for Tiaong, Quezon or San Juan, Batangas. The jeepneys can be found at the terminal just outside Robinson's Lipa.]

Batangas City Peek

 * a view of the park in Batangas City
 

* one of my favorite styles of street lamp

* a monument for Apolinario Mabini

  I have said this already to a friend: if you would travel to a certain place, it is sometimes better to look more closely to the scenery and not get stuck to traditional tourists’ spots. So it came one time that I found myself walking in Batangas City, seeing along the way a dusty and sleepy bus terminal, an abandoned hotel, scattered or spent firecrackers, men still having the hangover of the New Year’s Celebration, and an attractive seafood restaurant, among others.
  
Batangas State University (BatStateU) came into view and somewhere along the sidewalk I saw the sign pointing to the direction of a ‘Basilica.’ The random walk finally found a definite goal.
  
What else can be used to describe the city center but the word ‘beautiful’? The plaza boasts a big park with spaces for children’s playgrounds, open grounds for aerobics enthusiasts, lanes for strollers and joggers alike. The place is also dotted with benches on which one can rest.And then the treasure of the place – the Basilica.
    

* the Basilica in Batangas City on a Sunday

* a view of the interior of Batangas City's Basilica

The basilica is called the Basilica Menor de Inmaculada Concepcion. I did not notice the curious ‘n’ there in what certainly means immaculate. But since it has been years since the visit, I can only ask for it the next time I go there.

The Basilica Menor de Inmaculada Concepcion History
  
The first church was built in 1581 through the efforts of Father Diego Mojica, an Augustinian pastor from Calapan, (Oriental) Mindoro. So far it is probable since Calapan is just a boat (or a sea vessel, if you will) away from the pier. The church was dedicated to Inmaculada Concepcion de Nuestra Señora.
  
The laying of stone foundations for the construction of the second church happened between the years 1682 and 1721. In 1693, the convent with its own artillery was added. The purpose of the artillery was to drive sea pirates away. I could only imagine the topography of the place then. It was probably a candy to the eyes of conquistadores and pirates alike. (Which leaves me now with an open task of finding even at least a sketch or a map of the place during the Spanish era.)
   
The church was demolished again and rebuilt under Padre Pedro Cuesta in 1851. It was then blessed on February 2, 1857 and designated as a ‘minor basilica’ (if it is the right term) on February 13, 1948. I know there are still many things to be known about this city. I wish I would have the opportunity again to take a sneak peek into the past of this important city.
   
One can reach SM Batangas City by boarding a jeepney on the left side of the basilica (if you are facing it). One shall pass a long bridge, and I am not so sure if it’s the bridge that collapsed when one of the many storms hit Luzon last year.
 

[How to go to Batangas City, Batangas: From Manila, one can board a bus bound for Batangas Pier. Whether the bus is via CALABARZON or Tanauan-Lipa, it does not matter. Drop off at the place they call Balagtas Exit. From there, board a jeep bound for the city proper of Batangas City.]

  

U.P. Los Baños: Places and Events

This series of posts is not exhaustive nor comprehensive. I only desire to start the year by writing about something that I could say ‘close to heart’. It's the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Let me share at least seven of the things that one can find, admire, or experiences inside the university. Even a short walk inside the campus is enough to give you an idea of its rich history from its beginning as an agricultural college.

* the remaining part of the Old Humanities Building;
found in front of the College Post Office

Old Humanities
The university’s present Humanities Building (now officially called CAS Building) looks old already but it is not even the only Hum building that exists (or existed). The original Hum building used to be found at the back of the present Physical Science Building (PhySci or Pisay), just in front of the UPLB Post Office. But only a very small portion of the building remains. My guess is that it was probably destroyed during the Second World War.
 

* the fraternity men presenting themselves in front
of the Humanities Building during an Oblation Run

Oblation Run

An annual feature of UPLB Decembers, the Oblation Run, organized by the UPLB Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Fraternity, draws always a large crowd. Epitomizing the characters of Oblation, the runners commonly carry a message during this activity, usually about issues concerning the university.

* people often take a breather under the Fertility Tree
and the wide Freedom Park

Fertility Tree 
I am lucky enough to experience the 'heyday' of the Freedom Park, when it used to be enveloped in semi-darkness as night time falls. Right after sunset, couples would flock to the infamous Fertility Tree and enjoy the seeming protection of its canopy. Two confessions: 1) I did see a discarded condom at the foot of this tree and 2) I did see a couple do their 'thing' there.  Although cloaked in many myths of romance and eroticism, the Fertility Tree enriches the culture of the university as it participates in the tales that keep the minds of its visitors and inhabitants alike in a constant state of imagination.
 

* a view of the research fields of IRRI
in front of the Rice Museum

International Rice Research Institute
Rented from the University, the hectares of land occupied by the International Rice Research Institute or IRRI, which started its operation in 1960, gives a visitor an idea of what an international research facility looks like. I spent my on-the-job-training there, experienced meeting and conferring with people of different nationalities and scientific backgrounds, and listened to lectures of men on the front lines of rice science. The food is also good in their cafeteria. With the breath taking view of the research fields just outside and with a coffee mug in hand, I have spent many afternoons there. How I wish I could finally go to their coffee shop and pick one among the coffees being sold there. IRRI also has a rice museum which shows the diverse cultures and methods in producing and cultivating rice of different Asian countries.

* the UPLB Carillion Tower

Carillion Tower
The UPLB Carillion Tower is found just a few steps away from the Fertility Tree. The Tower was built during the administration of Fidel Ramos and its inauguration was greeted by protests from the students. The Tower is also site for many physics fairs, fireworks displays, and beautiful lightings and designs during the annual UPLB Loyalty Day.

* the UPLB Oblation

Oblation (Oble)
Although the university’s Oblation is a replica of the original, it is nevertheless a site to behold inside the campus. It has been placed in front of the present Humanities Building around 1983 and has been there ever since, showing off to the world his naked glory. But Oble could not escape the wrath of the student activists and it has been their focal point for sending out their protest messages (see image above).
 

*UPLB's Pegaraw

Pegaraw 
The Philippine Pegasus or Pegaraw stands just in front of the UPLB Main Library. It was created by Napoleon Abueva in commemoration of the 100th year of Philippine Revolution. The sculpture stands at 18 feet from its base.