335. SANTOS FROM THE MUSEUM OF THE INCARNATION

CAPTIVE CHRIST

Along Pariancillo St., in Malolos, Bulacan, and right across an ancestral house coverted ino a Meralco office, is another heritage home of the Tiongson Family, that has been repurposed into a  Museum.

The Museum of the Incarnation was the brainchild of Mr. Leo Cloma, a finance executive who is a native of Bulacan. After securing the agreement of the Tiongsons, he proceeded to restore the house and convert it into a museum where “the sacred is made real”.

 

SAN MIGUEL

SAN PEDRO

BUST OF CHRIST

It houses some of the most stunning processional images and other ecclesiastical art pieces displayed using old mesa altars and antique reproductions of urnas, from his own commissioned collection, as well as centuries-old images of noted santero, Francsico Vecin. There are also “retired” images (those that are no longer processed) from Bulacan families.

DEATH OF SAN JOSE

A DAY AT THE MUSEUM

A SANTA AND A TABLEAU

The images in the specious museum house are most Semana Santa images and tableaus—from Mater Dolorosa, the Tres Marias, to whole Calvario scene, the kiss of Judas, and the Last Supper. But there are also non- Holy Week images like the death of St. Joseph, the Nativity,and individual images of santos like St. Joseph, Immaculate Conception and San Miguel.

MATER DOLOROSA

BETRAYAL OF JUDAS

PACIENCIA

The museum complements the other “museum house” of the Reyes family which also contains collections of restored images as well as stunning processional carrozas.

SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR

STA. MARTA, SALOME, MAGDALENA, VERONICA

ORACION, SAN JUAN, SAN PEDRO, ATBP.

CALVARIO

On this spread are pictures of santos from the Museum of the Incarnation. As it is a private museum, appointments should be made with the Museum admin people.

AGONY IN THE GARDEN

AGONY IN THE GARDEN 2

LA PIEDAD

 MANY THANKS TO MR. LEO CLOMA FOR THE INVITATION 

TO VISIT THE MUSEUM OF THE INCARNATION. 

307. Retro-Santo: STA. SALOME of CANIOGAN, MALOLOS, BULACAN

THE MYSTERY PICTURE OF STA, SALOME, ca. 1920s.

A decade ago, in one of my visits to a local antique dealer, I picked up this photo postcard of what seemed to be a family before an heirloom wooden statue of Sta. Salome, on a small wooden carroza. The people are dressed in modest clothes, in their Sunday’s best—nothing expensive or flashy. The women on the left looked like they were in mourning clothes, indicating a death in the family, maybe the pater familia. The grove of slender bamboos in the background gives the scene a real, rustic feel. It would appear that they are about to leave for a procession.  I liked how this 1920s photo evoked the spirit of bygone days in the province, —simple, unhurried, when people’s devotion to their faith was deeper, more unwavering.

But what drew me to the picture was Sta. Salome herself. It is the plain-ness of the carving that makes her remarkable. She projects a sweet expression, a slight smile evident on her face. The santa who cleaned Jesus’ tomb clasps a broom on one hand—a walis tingting—and a hanky on her left hand. Her vestments, though with traces of gold embroidery, have a  homespun quality to the way they were created. The ends of her half-cape are folded over into “palikpik” that extended till her shoulders. She wears a belt that is uniquely trimmed with a ribbon. 

On her head, Sta. Salome  wears a brass diadem, and an umbrella-type halo or paragua. She stands on an ochovado base, outfitted with spindly albortantes, topped with glass floral shades and adorned with paper flowers.

PHOTO: YVES PAULINO

The mystery over this vintage picture, however, had just begun.

Who is the family that owns this beautiful Sta. Salome?

Where was this taken?

More importantly, what fate befell the santa and her carroza?

If she survived, where is it now?

PHOTO: YVES PAULINO

For years, these questions remained unanswered. In the meanwhile, I even used the picture as an illustrative example of Philippine processions in an article I wrote for one of my blogs. Sometime in 2015, one blog reader from Bulacan—Yves Paulino-- saw the picture and noticed some startling similarities with the image of Santa Salome of Caniogan in Malolos.

PHOTO: YVES PAULINO

The overall stance of the image—for instance, in the way her hands were posed, were similar to their Sta. Salome. And so were the diadem and the “payong”. The manner in which she was dressed-- specifically, the upright ‘palikpik’—was very similar too. The most telling, however, was the unique belt. Upon closer scrutiny, Paulino noticed that the santa in the picture was wearing a unique ribbon belt—identical to the original belt on the waist of  the Caniogan image.

PHOTO: WENCY CAMIGAY, flickr.com

Despite these striking similarities, Paulino wanted to be really certain. Since my blog was about Pampanga, he assumed that the picture came from the province, and therefore the image had a Kapampangan provenance. Besides, I had identified the image in the picture was a “Sta. Maria Jacobe”. He then sent me period pictures of their santa so that  could compare the 2 statues myself.

PHOTO: JHENNEL PAULINO, FB page

When I saw the picture of their patroness, I could tell right away that this was indeed, the same one as in my picture. I pointed out that I did not identify the image as coming from Pampanga, In the caption, I had written  “….A family from Central Luzon rolls out it heirloom image of Sta. Maria Jacobe”. It is also to be noted that certain provinces interchange the names and attributes (broom and hanky vs. censer) of Maria Jacobe and Salome.  I had no doubt in my mind that the mystery santa in the picture was indeed, the Sta. Salome of Caniogan, Malolos.

PHOTO: WENCY CAMIGAY, flickr.com

The only missing information are the real identities of the people in the picture. No one in Caniogan seem to know, not even the old folks in the neighborhood. They could only tell that “someone long ago, donated the image for the chapel to use”.  

PHOTO: WENCY CAMIGAY, flickr.com

Today, the image of 5 foot  Sta. Salome with her bastidor body has her own chapel in Caniogan, and she remains under the care of “hermanos”, who,  on rotating duties, take care of the image. An assigned hermano gets to take home the statue, her vestments and even her cabinet where she is kept. Nowadays, the younger set takes care of dressing her up for her “fiesta”. All these years, she wears her original ribbon belt and her diadem, but her halo and her broom  have been replaced. She also wears a donated human hair wig.

PHOTO: JEMUEL PALACIO PAULINO

Not only did the antique image survived too, but even her wooden carroza shown on the picture is still in existence, used by the old Santa Cruz of Caniogan—a slender, holy cross that is also a treasured sacred art of the barangay.

PHOTO: STA, SALOME CANIOGAN, MALOLOS FB page

Sta. Salome’s double feast days are observed with festive dancing and celebrations—first, during the Easter Salubong, where she is feted with a procession after her return  from the Sta. Isabel Church, and on Oct. 22, her official Feast Day, where a novena is held in her honor.

PHOTO: ROBERT 'BOB' BERNABE, FB page

The only mystery left are finding the identities of the family members  in the picture. No one in Caniogan seem to know, not even the old folks in the neighborhood. They could only tell that “someone long ago, donated the image for the chapel to use”.  But that is immaterial at this point in time, for in their stead, a whole community of people have come to rally around Sta. Salome, showering her with love and devotion that are sure to last into the next generation and beyond.

PHOTO SOURCES:

Sta. Salome Close Up: flickr via Wenceslao Camigay, https://www.flickr.com/photos/wency_gentrias/2954162271

Picture of Sta. Salome with Sta. Cruz: Sta. Salome (Caniogan, Malolos) FB Page, https://www.facebook.com/stamaria.salome.3?ref=br_rs

Sta. Salome Chapel: Wenceslao Camigay, https://www.flickr.com/photos/wency_gentrias/2958003486/

Photo of Sta. Salome in church altar: Bob Bernabe FB ( posted on Sta. Salome FB page)

Medium shit of Sta. Salome: JehnNel Paulino FB ( posted on Sta. Salome FB page)

Other vintage pictures: Yves Paulino

Photo of Sta. Cruz with Carroza, Jemuel Palacio Paulino

297. Lost for 36 Years: LARAWAN NG SANTISIMA TRINIDAD, of Brgy. Santisima Trinidad, Malolos

It has been a long 36 years since the ancient icon of the miraculous Holy Trinity (“ Larawan ng Mapaghimalang Santisima Trinidad”) of a Malolos barangay with the same name,  disappeared on 27 October 1981. Known variously as “Santisima Trinidad na Orihinal”, “Santisima Trinidad na Antigo”, and  “Santisima Trinidad na Matanda”, it has been enshrined ever since at  the main altar of the visita of Brgy. Santisima Trinidad.

In this 1963 photo, on can still discern the Santisima Trinidad on the top niche
of the main altar of the chapel.

The visita itself was built on 4 May 1863. Stories have it that when the field was being cleared by workers for the erection of the visita, they unearthed an icon bearing the image of the Holy Trinity, painted on 4 wood panels pieces. The 26 x 36” painting shows the 3 divinities—God the Son, God the Father, and God, the Holy Spirit seated together, with hands raised in benediction. As a tribute to the Trinity, the chapel and th barrio was put under their titular patronage.

THE THREE CALLEJERAS

Since then, three more Santisima Trinidad icons have joined the original one at the visita-- Santisima Trinidad na Mayor, a Mexican painting on canvass, and considered the oldest of the 3 callejeras (processional images); Santisima Trinidad na Bata, an oil painting on rosewood, ca. 1762; and the Santisima Trinidad de Trisagio, a 22 x 27” image placed in the safekeeping of the caretaker or “hermano trisagio”.

Photo souvenir with the original Santisima Trinidad

But it is the original “larawan” that remained in the altar mayor for as long as one can remember, around which the people of the barangay anchored their faith, love and devotion. In time, the chapel was shared with two other barangays, Barihan and Pinagbakahan.

SANTISIMA TRINIDAD NA BATA, dated 1762

Over the years, miracles have been attributed by residents to the workings of the Santa Trinidad—impossible favors granted,  incurable afflictions healed, and babies safely delivered despite delicate pregnancies. The 3 barangays celebrate the fiesta of their revered patron annually, every Trinity Sunday, while in separate feast in October is celebrated for their secondary patron, Birhen ng Santo Rosario.

BEFORE & AFTER DEMOLITION/CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS

In 1981, the year when the old chapel was scheduled for demolition to give way to a new, more expansive building, a most unfortunate event happened. On October 27, the original Santisima Trinidad was stolen from the central niche of the altar. All efforts were exerted to find the lost icon and the criminals who committed this dastardly act—to no avail.

REPLACEMENT TRINITY IMAGES

When all hopes seemed lost, a generous family from Olongapo—the Bartletts—donated 3 vintage 1950s dressed mannikin images (de vestir) to the chapel of the much-saddend barangays. From Olongapo, the images were taken to Malolos and translated to Brgy. Santisima Trinidad by procession. Somehow, the pain of the loss was alleviated by the arrival of these images that now occupy the main altar.

MAIN ALTAR WITH DRESSED IMAGES

As if to show its divine displeasure, the Santisima Trinidad Chapel was embroiled in controversies, beginning in 2001 when it was interdicted by the Diocese of Malolos. A different sect took over the chapel from 2002 to August 16, all caused by land ownership discord and the refusal of the barrio to turn their chapel into a parish church. It was only on 27 October 2016—exactly 15 years since the disappearance of the “larawan”—that the chapel returned to the fold of the Diocese of Malolos, where Catholic masses have now resumed.

With this positive and happy turn of events, the people of 3 barangays have become more of hopeful for the safe recovery and return of their patron, Santisima Trinidad. The community of santo aficionados (and that includes camareros, private collectors, antique shop owners and their middlemen, santo carvers and artisans, auction houses, religious stores, priests and church groups, heritage and cultural advocates) are enjoined to be vigilant and to be on the look-out for this image. Like the Blessed Trinity, there is strength in numbers, and together--even after 36 years-- we are confident we can make a miracle happen.

CREDITS:
MANY THANKS TO MR. CHRISTOPHER CUNANAN, for the information and all pictures used in this article, and for calling my attention to this lost icon. 

211. Perfect Combinations: SANTOS AND NINOS

ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA, Feast day, June 21. Patron saint of young students, Chrsitian youth, plague sufferers. 

A gallery of ivory statuaries depicting saints and virgins carrying the Infant Jesus, as shown in an exhibit at Malolos, Bulacan, in 2012.

SAN ANTHONY OF PADUA. Feast Day, June 13. It is said that Jesus appeared to this Franciscan saint in the form of the Holy Child.  Invoked when finding lost or missing objects.Patron of sailors, travelers, fishermen.

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL. Feast Day, July 16. Our Virgin and the Holy Child Jesus appeared to St. Simon Stock, and presented him with a brown scapular,  a devotional sacramental signifying the wearer's consecration to the Blessed Virgin.

ST. CAJETAN. Feast Day, August 7. While attending the Xmas celebration at St. Mary of the Crib, he is said to have been given the grace of receiving from Mary, the Child Jesus into his arms. Ptron saint of the unemployed, seekers of job and good fortune.

ST. JOSEPH, Feast Day, March 19.Husband of Mary, father and guardian of Jesus.

ST. ROSE OF LIMA, Feast Day, August 23. The first saint of the new world was a mystic who saw visions of the Child Jesus. Patron saint of Peru, Philippines, California, florists, gardeners and embroiderers.

ST. STANISLAUS KOSTKA, Feast Day, August 15. Legend has it that the Virgin placed the baby Jesus in the saint's hands and urged him to join the Society of Jesus. Patron saint of Jesuit novices, Poland, students.

ST. THERESE OF AVILA. Feast Day, October 15. This Spanish mystic and Doctor of the Church is associated as former owner of the esteemed image of the Infant Jesus of Prague. Patron saint of Spain, Croatia, lacemakers, sick people.

181. THE NINOS OF MALOLOS, CA. 1979

The Malolos Sto. Nino Fiesta was conceived and organized in 1966 by Dr. Luis Santos. The idea of an exposition of different Sto. Nino images came later, as suggested by resident Zeny Tengco. Since then, the annual Nino Exhibit has become an anticipate affair every January. Presented here is a selection of Sto. Nino images exhibited on the occasion of the Sto. Nino Fiesta of Malolos, and the International Celebration of the Children's Year from way back 1979---exactly 35 years ago.

STO. NINO, PATRON OF MALOLOS. 

Owned by Dr. Angel S. Tantoco and Family, this heirloom image has been in the family for many generations. It accompanies the Immaculate Virgin during the fiesta procession and is the acknowledged patron of the children of Malolos. Of ivory, it is characterized by its sweet smile, dreamy eyes and a majestic stance. It is carved in the classical style, and it is arrayed in a costume similar to that worn by King Louis XV of France.

STO. NINO DE AMOR

Owned by Ms. Corina Tengco, this image was given to her by her mother. A holy card (estampita) of an Infant Jesus inspired the styling of this image. He bears a basket of fruits as a symbol of love.

STO. NINO DE LA PASYON

 Owned by Mr. Dez Bautista. The antique head of this image was bought from an old family in Tarlac whose house was lost to a fire. Only one room survived, the room in which this image was kept. It is believed that the reason why this Nino is always on tears is because of the portents of death he always sees.

STO. NINO DE PANDACAN

 Owned by Mr. Steve de Leon. The origin of the image of the original Sto. Nino de Pandacan is shrouded in myth. The image was said to have been found by children playing near the side of a well. Owing to His miraculous nature, a church was built near the well where the Nino continues to rest and venerated.

STO. NINO DE ATOCHA

 Owned by Mrs. Zeny Tengco. The owner accidentally saw a medal of the Holy Child Jesus of Atocha in Rebullida, so she was inspired to have a statue carved. He is dressed as a pilgrim, with a staff, a drinking gourd, a basket and wears a cape with a shell symbol.

STO. NINO PRINCIPE

 Owned by Mrs. Ching Lopez. It is enshrined at the Tantoco House as a companion piece of the Sto. Nino de Malolos. It derive its title from its royal raiments-- a little prince.

STO. NINO DE PRAGA

 Owned by Carmencita and Augusto Paez-Banzali. A vintage Infant Jesus of Prague purchased from a talyer in Quiapo.

(All photos from the "Sto. Nino, Nino Jesus sa Malolos 1979, Souvenir Program")