366. Found Identities: THE CHAPEL SANTOS OF UBIHAN

Old photos of 3 Santos on their andas, 1922.

Stashed among my collection of religious photos are these 2 snapshots taken over a hundred years ago in 1922. On the back were short lines written by a Mother to his Son, David, updating him of the goings-on of some religious events happening in their place, which unfortunately, was not named. For over a decade, I have not been successful in identifying where these santos came from, as the real photo postcards have no postmarks.

The first photo shows a trio of images: St. Joseph with the Child Jesus, a Crucified Christ, and an Immaculate Conception, on top of individual andas (shoulder-borne platforms). The mother writes:

David:

Ang Retrato ng Señor ay hindi nakunan sa prosesion pagkat nĝ dumating ang kukuha ay tapos na ang prosesion, bukod sa rito, ng tang(g)apin ni Jacin ang sulat mo ay sa 11 nĝ Enero sa kaniang kasera. Yto na lamang at kahi(t) ma na wari pagpalain ka ng P. (oong) D. (iyos) at nĝ mahal na Virgen.   Ang iyong Yna

 (David, The picture of the Lord was not taken during the procession because by the time photographer came, the procession had already ended. Also Jacin received your letter on Januray 11 from his landlady.  This is all for now, and may you be blessed by the Lord God and our beloved Virgin.---Your Mother).

The second photo shows a picture of the Crucified Christ nailed on his Cross, outfitted with an opulent metal burst and paper flowers. The back has this handwritten notation:

David:

Pinagpilitan na ming pakuhanan ng retrato ang poon sapagkat bagong lubog na lahat ang kaniang kasangkapan na iyong makikita rito; sa pecha 27 ng Deciembre ng 1922.   Ang iyong Yna.

(David: We made an effort to have the picture of the Lord taken because all His metal  accessories that you see here have been newly re-plated; on this date 27 December 1922.)

Just last month, Robby de la Vega, a friend from Intramuros Administration, alerted me about the photos, informing me that they are those of the still-extant chapel santos of brgy. Ubihan of Meycauayan, Bulacan. The key was the date written by the mother—December 27---which is the date of the fiesta of the barangay patron—Sto. Cristo.

Checking online, I found the FB page of the “Sto Cristo de Ubihan”, which has posted pictures of the Crucified Christ in my old photo—and indeed, they are one and the same image. There were also fiesta photos of their images of  San Jose con Niño Jesus, and the Inmaculada Concepcion on new carrozas, as the andas in the old photos are long gone.

I also learned the Ubihan was one of the most remote barrios of Meycauayan which thrived on fishing and aquaculture as it was surrounded by rivers and fishponds. It was so named because ube plants used to be planted in abundance in the barrio. In 1882, Ubihan was plagued by cholera that decimated the population. So distant was the barrio, that revolucionarios used Ubihan as their hiding place. As such, it was constantly raided by Spaniards. The Americans burned the barrio in 1900 at the onset  of the Philippine -American War and once gain razed by the Japanese in the last world war.

Inspite of all these tragic calamities, both natural and man-made, Ubihan survived, and continues to thrive--certainly protected by their 3 Patrons who, after over a century are still very much around, cared for and revered by  the local faithful in gratitude for the blessings received and the salvation of their humble barangay in the most trying years of its existence. 

CREDITS:

MANY THANKS to Mr. Robby dela Vega of the Intramuros Administration

Photos from the "Sto. Cristo de Ubihan" FB Page

City Government of Meycauayan website:https://meycauayan.gov.ph/ubihan/

344. A NIÑO DORMIDO FROM BOHOL FINDS A NEW HOME

THE SLEEPING CHRIST CHILD, personal collection

The image of the sleeping Jesus in sacred art is drawn from His birth in Bethlehem, where He was born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. It was St. Francis of Assisi, of course, who perpetualized that depiction when he put up a manger in a church.

NINO DORMIDO, from the Francisco Vecin Collection

NINO DORMIDO, on a repurposed doll's toy bed.

The sleeping Christ Child has been the subject of many artists through the centuries, often represented naked, consistently shown with eyes closed or half-closed, with charming poses—tiny finger in His mouth or pointing to His head,  a Hand raised in blessing,  cheek resting on a palm, with straight, bent and crossed legs. In painting and sculpture art, the sleeping baby is shown in different settings---lying on a manger, on a pastoral landscape, on a flaming heart, or adored by the Blessed Mother,

NINO DORMIDO, note the unusual crossed legs.

The hole on the back was where a stick was placed to
support the Nino Dormido while painting.

The most prized sleeping baby Jesus are made of ivory, known as “Niño Dormido”,  which today, are so precious, that they command astronomical prices in auctions, that is, if you can find one. Generally, Niño Dormidos of ivory, come in small sizes for home devotion—with average sizes ranging from 6 to 8 inches. The images are commonly displayed nude to show off the ivory, but many are dressed in gold-embroidered raiments, complete with gold or silver caps, belts and sandals studded with gems.

NINO DORMIDO, Provenance: Bohol

As equally appealing are the locally-carved wooden Niño Dormidos. Though not as expensive as ivories, these antique wooden figures of the Christ Child are much rarer to find, as the traditional Sto. Niño had a more popular following.

The Nino Dormido has its original (but flaking) encarna

This wooden Niño Dormido is one such fine example of religious folk art. It comes from the Francisco Vecin Collection, who owns many of these miniature wooden examples. It is carved from heavy wood, just a little over 7 inches, and is Bohol-made, with its original (now flaking) encarna. I acquired this from him sometime in 2006, when I was still working in Makati, and I was pleasantly surprised that Mr. Vecin let it go.

A CLOSE UP VIEW, reveals open glass eyes.

This Niño Dormido is outstanding in every respect, classically carved with baby features, curly locks, and a plumpish body. Though small, his thick droopy eyelids are outfitted with glass eyes, making him look more awake than sleepy.  This Dormido is one of those rarer versions that show the Baby with crossed legs, as if to foreshadow his Crucifixion.

I decided to keep this Niño Dormido in its “as found” condition, and tried to look for an appropriate bed for it. For years, it laid on a vintage 4-poster toy wooden bed that was too short for him, and encased in an urna that I had asked a furniture shop to make, patterned after an old one.

The Nino sleeps on a piece of antique European lace,

It was only lately that I found another vintage toy bed of the right size ( but with more modern features, alas!). I covered the bed up up with antique laces, and made a flat pillow, and propped it on a new peaña that I no longer use—so that will do for the moment. The final touch is the addition of a spray of wired “lagang” flowers, hoping that it will add to the antique look that I wanted to recreate.

The Sleeping Christ Child is represented in many art forms.

It may not be authentic, but at least this Niño Dormido from Bohol has a new and better home. In the future, I will probably have a new “resting place” made, although I have not figured out if it’s going to be a daybed, a manger, a 4-poster (definitely, not a sofa!).

The Nino's bed rests on a vintage gilded peana,

And what do you think of the idea of having a silver cap and a belt? Well, let me see.. I will sleep over it!.

337. THE PCI BANK MARIAN EXHIBIT , 8-30 Sep. 1985, Makati

Highlights from the PCI Bank Marian Exhibit held from Sep. 8-30, 1985 at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Hall, PCIB Bldg. Makati. The Opening Ceremonies were attended by His Eminence, Jaime Cardinal Sin with Mrs. Imelda Cojuangco as Guest of Honor. 

These pictures of various Marian images were featured in the book, “Bimillennium: Kaarawan ni Maria, 1985 Marian Year Book, published by Mrs. Luz M. Santos. Credits to the book publisher, as well as the photographers of these photos.

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325. A Folksy Warehouse Find: SAN JOSE AND NINO JESUS

Oh, the things you find in a warehouse! Yes, this San Jose with his little Niño—carved from a single piece of wood—was found in a dusty warehouse of demolished house parts and old lumberyard materials. It was such in a sorry state—with paint peeling, base cracked, and features that are hardly recognizable.

But I thought the 15.5 inch santo looked promising underneath that layer of dust and grime. It had all the characteristics of a true primitive--carved with shallow features, painted with bright colors to cover up the stiffness of the figure. 

There are little details that added much to the appeal of this peace which I got next to nothing. The fact that it was totally fashioned from one piece of softwood wood, including the base, was remarkable, as the symmetry of the piece was almost perfect. Why, the silhouette looks almost like an awards trophy for some contest!

San Jose, himself, looks younger, what with his very sharp, pointed beard and straight black hair. His tunic features a collar while a bow knot is neatly tied high above his waist, as opposed to a simple cord. His robes are painted yellow (which has become grrenish with age) with chicken feet-like prints, typical of Visayan santos. The santo tapers down to the simple, squarish base, with corners lopped off.

Child Jesus on the other hand, looks like an afterthought, ramrod-straight in the arm of San Jose. It almost looks like standing, not seated in a cuddle.

All this San Jose needed was a thorough cleaning and a quick trip to a neighborhood painter to make it more presentable. A light coat of varnish to fix the paint was the final touch to this folksy warehouse San Jose and his little Niño—now fit to be displayed in my house!

278. ALTARS OF THE NATIVITY

ALTAR OF THE NATIVITY. Mabalacat Church. Photo by Dr. R. Feliciano

The whole Christendom celebrates the birth of Jesus with great joy and mirth, but nowhere is it celebrated with more pageantry than in the Philippines. Churches and communities prepare by staging the Nativity Scene before the altar, to be reflected on during the Simbang Gabi.

BACOLOR BELEN, dressed by the late Thom Joven.Photo: T. Joven

Some churches with side altars already containing belen images need only to clean and spruce up the figures. But those churches without lifesize images of San Jose, Sta. Maria and Nino Jesus, have to source them out from families, or make do with what they have--converting generic looking saints into the Holy Family.

A RECONSTITUTED BELEN, Staged using separate individual santos.
 Photo by Rainier Sexon

But that is not the only challenge; there is the stable that needs to be built,  plus the manger and all the "props" that would make the Nativity scene looks more authentic--animal figures, mostly sheep, goat, cattle.

SMALL ESCAYOLA CHURCH BELEN. Photo by Lulot Ruiz.

The Nativity scene takes inspiration from the accounts of the birth of Jesus in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The narrative describes an angel announcing Jesus' birth to a group of shepherds who then went on to visit the humble site, where they found the Child Jesus in a manger. Matthew's story includes the presence of the 3 wise men who were guided by the star to the stable, hence, these characters are likewise included in the tableau. 

NATIVITY SCENE with the 3 Magis, Photo by Leo Cloma

St. Francis of Assisi is credited with making the first Nativity Scene in 1223 to shift emphasis to Christ rather than gift-giving. In the Philippines, those in charge of staging the Belen take great efforts to make the tableau truly artistic. All sorts of materials go into the making of the stable--cut bamboo, old house parts, sawali, palm leaves, outlumber posts, old capiz windows.

BARASOAIN CHURCH BELEN, Photo by Leo Cloma

The scenography is fashioned from crumple brown paper then painted to simulate stones and boulders, then further decorated with pieces of pottery, flowers and greeneries, The floor is strewn with hay and then the stable is anachronistically festooned with lanterns and Christmas lights

ESCAYOLA BELEN. Photo by Leo Cloma

Elaborate belens also include an animated Star of Bethlehem--a lit lantern that can swing into place through the use of pulleys--to the center of the tableau, which is the highlight of the Midnight Mass. After the Mass, the Baby Jesus is taken out of the manger for the traditional kissing of its feet or cheeks--the Pahalik.

BELEN IN AN ILOCOS CHURCH, Dressed in Filipiana. Photo: Leo Cloma

Distinctive nativity scenes and traditions have been created around the world, but they have not escaped controversy---mostly issues on propriety (characters are sometimes made to wear outlandish costumes), extravagance, and accuracy (like the presence of non-Biblical characters).

MABALACAT CHURCH BELEN, Photo by Leo Cloma

But whether we like it or not, the Belen is here to stay. Like the Christnas tree, parol, noche buena and aguinaldo, Christmas is not Christmas without the traditional nativity scene to inspire awe and devotion of Christ--not just during the holidays, but for the whole year through!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!