The Historical Laguna (Part 3): Exploring the Heritage Square of Santa Rosa

The City of Santa Rosa was recently the subject of fury of Philippine heritage enthusiasts after it was reported that the city’s oldest heritage house is being demolished to make way for a branch of McDonalds. The “news” went viral because the owner of that McDo branch is the actor and Santa Rosa resident Alden Richards. The issue eventually died down when it was cleared that what was being demolished is not the heritage house but another structure in its vicinity.

The rage of heritage enthusiasts is understandable since the old poblacion of Santa Rosa is the location of many heritage houses and historical sites. The old poblacion is a valuable heritage area that the city government declared the place as a “heritage square”.

The heritage square of Santa Rosa is not similar to Vigan or even Intramuros as many of Spanish Era houses were replaced by newer structures. The feel of “old” in the old poblacion is somewhat lost as the place is a hodgepodge of the modern and the historical.

However, as a Laguna resident, I still consider it fortunate that I can explore these remaining heritage and historical sites of Santa Rosa:

Rizal Monument and Plaza

Santa Rosa City's Rizal Monument with the tallest pylon in the Philippines.

Rizal’s monument is the most prominent historical site in the heritage square. The monument features the statue of Jose Rizal in a pose similar to that in Luneta and two pylons, which is claimed by the city government as the tallest in the whole country.

What actually caught my attention in the city plaza is the monument honoring the Santa Rosans who fought during various wars in the Philippines.

I think that this monument is common in the Philippines because I saw similar monument in Davao del Norte. The kampilan, which is the sword displayed on the monument, symbolizes Filipino bravery that were shown in the many wars that was fought in this country.

Unfortunately, the plaque that should list the names of Santa Rosa heroes is blank. It seems that the city government couldn’t find any Santa Rosan whose name could be listed in the monument. 

There are also plaques Philippine - American War, and World War II when the Japanese invaders occupied the country.

My favorite passage from these commemorative plaques is the one from the Philippine - American War about the Balangiga massacre:

Prayers for the eternal repose of souls of the unknown innocent unarmed civilian victim of Balangiga, Samar battle aftermath of 1901.

Never in the history of human conflict among civilized nations did total slaughtering of all men, women and chidren over ten years of age done in the name of VENGEANCE.

The USA still has to apologize to Filipinos for the murder that they did in Balangiga and the whole Philippines. The Americans, despite claiming to be civilized people, committed the most barbaric acts during that time.

Heritage Houses of Santa Rosa

Located in the vicinity of Rizal Park are the different heritage houses and buildings of the old Santa Rosa. One is the Gusaling Batasan, which I think was just restored since its “adobe walls” were somewhat new.

Just across Rizal Park is the heritage house occupied by Maybank.

It is good to see that the bank just adapted to the heritage structure and did not make drastic changes to the heritage building.

A few steps from Maybank is the Gusaling Museo, which houses the City Library and the Santa Rosa City Museum. It was the former municipal hall and office of the mayor from 1828 to 1954.

This building was erected in 1828 during the term of Gobernadorcillo Bernardo Zavalla in the Spanish Colonial period. It was then reconstructed in 1954, well after the Second World War. There is even a historical marker on the building that recorded the first election during the “Bagong Lipunan” of President Marcos, Sr. in 1980. Names of some of the political clans of Santa Rosa City are listed in that marker.

Located beside the Gusaling Museo is what I think is the old cuartel of the Guardia Civil.

Monument for Basilio Gonzalez

Another interesting historical spot in Santa Rosa’s Heritage Square is the monument for Col. Basilio Barroma Gonzalez that is located in front of Mercury Drug.

I will talk about this neglected monument of less known revolutionary hero of Santa Rosa in the next blog post.

The establishment of the Heritage Square in the poblacion of Santa Rosa shows that the city government knows the value of history and heritage in a centuries old town. However, I think that Santa Rosans has to do more to ensure the preservation heritage sites since these they gave local history a “face” that cannot be replicated by any photograph.

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Read my other blog posts for the Experiencing and Historical Laguna series:

The Historical Laguna (Part 1): Rizal Monument and a Peek at the History of Biñan

The Historical Laguna (Part 2): The Story of the Iconic Arch of Santa Rosa

Experiencing Laguna (Part 1): Our Overnight Stay in La Vista Pansol Resort

Experiencing Laguna (Part 2): A Healthy and Relaxing Dip in Laguna Hot Spring Resort (Pansol, Calamba)

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The Historical Laguna (Part 2): The Story of the Iconic Arch of Santa Rosa

“Bandits infested the roads and rivers, ravaged fields and farms, pillaged churches and set light to houses in an orgy of murder, robbery and rapine in which there was ‘hardly and evil deed that their rash boldness [did] not perform”

This was how the late 19th Century Philippines was described by many commentators and historians. Filipinos at that time lived in constant danger and with great fear against lawless elements that prowl the areas outside of the town centers. Aside from the threat of tulisanes or bandits, the Philippines was in turmoil that time due to the looming revolt of the Katipuneros. 

La Laguna is not exempted to that state of affairs since some of the villages around Laguna de Bay were considered as “ladrone towns” or villages inhabited by ladrones or tulisanes. The neighboring province of Cavite is known as a bandit refuge that’s why the colonial government established the Cuartel de Santo Domingo in the area that is now occupied by the training compound of the PNP Special Action Force. The cuartel served as the barracks of the guardia civil and forward base against the bandits from Cavite.

I’ve been harping on the lawlessness of 19th Century Philippines when I discovered that the Santa Rosa Arch is not just a simple welcome arch but was originally called as “Bantayang Bato”. It was a structure that was meant to protect Santa Rosa from lawless elements. 

The Arch of Santa Rosa City.

The Santa Rosa Arch is my favorite spot in the poblacion of Santa Rosa, Laguna. The arch gives the Parisian “Arc de Triomphe” vibe that are contrasted by Philippine jeepneys passing through it.

The arch is simply adorned with images of angels blowing their trumpets. At its base are lions, which announce Santa Rosa’s moniker as the “Lion City of the South”. The current form of the arch is a far cry from its old form as seen in old photos.

Evolution of Sta. Rosa Arch as displayed in the Sta. Rosa City Museum.

According to Arch. Mario C. Zavalla and Ms. Gemalin Batino-Diaz, the original structure of Bantayang Bato was built in 1817 or 5 years after the Santa Rosa de Lima Church was constructed. It was placed beside the river to serve as a lookout and a garita or checkpoint against tulisanes navigating through the Silang - Santa Rosa River. The Cavite town of Silang was a notorious haven of bandits during the Spanish Period. Bandits who wished to attack Santa Rosa possibly used the river to travel from Silang. This is the reason why Cuartel de Santo Domingo is at the Santa Rosa - Silang boundary and beside the Silang - Santa Rosa River. 

The arch was reconstructed in 1860 to make it wider for easy page. A "small treble bell" was placed in the next year to make it easier to raise alarm when tulisanes were sighted from the watch tower. The original arch was a simple one tier-masonry style, very much like the current form of Santa Rosa Arch.

The Santa Rosa Arch was refurbished in 1925. It was then dismantled and reconstructed on its current location in 1931 due to the increasing vehicular traffic. Yep, you read that right! A 71-year-old historical structure that protected the town from bandits were demolished and relocated just to make way for cars and jeeps. 

Good thing that the current Santa Rosa Arch was not demolished since it is in the way of vehicular traffic. The city government just made additional lanes around it. I guess they should have done that with Bantayang Bato.

The lion at the foot of Santa Rosa Arch.

I thought that Santa Rosa City just recently used the lion as its symbol. However, Zavalla and Batino-Diaz claimed that the lion as a symbol was already in use by Santa Rosa since the Spanish times. They said that the lion statues were already present at the foot of the Bantayang Bato. The lion statues were also displayed at government buildings such as the casa tribunal and the hacienda of the city mayor. Thus, the symbol of the lion is very apt for Santa Rosa City.

I will never see the Arch of Santa Rosa the same way again. Instead of being awed by it, the arch reminds of the destruction wrought in the name of progress. Laguna has plenty of historical sites and heritage buildings that were demolished for the sake of economy and business to the point that the towns of Laguna transformed into modern cities that lost their soul. By discarding their past, these Laguna towns just became poor copies of Makati CBD or BGC.

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Read my other blog posts for the Experiencing and Historical Laguna series:

The Historical Laguna (Part 1): Rizal Monument and a Peek at the History of Biñan

Experiencing Laguna (Part 1): Our Overnight Stay in La Vista Pansol Resort

Experiencing Laguna (Part 2): A Healthy and Relaxing Dip in Laguna Hot Spring Resort (Pansol, Calamba)

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References:

1. "Ang Bantayan" and the Four Lions by Mario C. Zavalla and Gemalin Batino-Diaz in Santa Rosa Heritage magazine (January 202 edition) retrieved from Santa Rosa Memoirs FB Page

2. Gemalin Batino FB page

3. LaChambre's Preparation for the Silang Offensive from Cuartel de Santo Domingo during the 1897 Philippine Revolution by Shine Relle Nuñez retrieved from Research Gate

4. Bandits, Banditry and Landscapes of Crime in the Nineteenth-Century Philippines by Greg Bankoff retrieved from Cambridge University Press

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Experiencing Laguna (Part 2): A Healthy and Relaxing Dip in Laguna Hot Spring Resort (Pansol, Calamba)

One day, during one of her rare visits to our house, the Sister-in-Law said that we should go to a pool and swim. We accommodated her request, even though it was sudden and unplanned, by bringing her to Pansol, Calamba. We particularly brought her to Laguna Hot Spring Resort.

We chose Laguna Hot Spring Resort because they allowed guests to bring their own food. As a typical Filipino family, we brought our own rice and ulam, and also some snacks to the resort.

I was surprised the moment I saw the swimming pool of Laguna Hot Spring Resort. It was as dark as the polluted waters of Manila Bay.

The dark pool is not dark because of the water but because its bottom is natural soil with volcanic rocks. This is proof that their hot spring is all natural.

Unlike La Vista Pansol Resort, which is another hot spring resort nearby, Laguna Hot Spring Resort has only 1 swimming pool. It only has simple amenities and has no slides or other gimmicks. It is just a simple pool of warm water springing out of the soil underneath.

We actually enjoyed dipping in the warm waters of Laguna Hot Spring Resort. The kids loved floating in the pool in their floating rings. We, the adults, loved relaxing in the hot spring. The warm water eased the tensions of our muscles and reduced the stress in our body.

Additionally, the hot spring is inhabited by small fishes that nibble the dead skin off our feet. They cleaned our feet, which was a “tickling” experience. The fish gave me a jolt the first time they nibbled my foot.

All in all, our day tour in Laguna Hot Spring was an enjoyable experience. We relaxed and had good family bonding. The only negative comment is that the place can be crowded, especially during weekends and holidays.

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Read my other blog posts for the Experiencing and Historical Laguna series:

The Historical Laguna (Part 1): Rizal Monument and a Peek at the History of Biñan

Experiencing Laguna (Part 1): Our Overnight Stay in La Vista Pansol Resort

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Summer is here! Are you looking for a place to swim? Read about my other blog posts about resorts and beaches that I visited previously:

1. Catadman Lodge in Danao City (Cebu)

2. San Francisco Bay Lodge in Camotes Islands (Cebu)

3. Camotes Islands beach resorts (Cebu)

4. Lake Danao in Camotes Islands (Cebu)

5. Honda Bay (Palawan) Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

6. Microtel Hotel in Puerto Princesa (Palawan)

7. Puerto Princesa Underground River (Palawan): Part 1 -  Part 2 - Part 3

8. Canyon Cove Resort in Nasugbu (Batangas)

9. Laiya Aplaya in San Juan (Batangas)

10. Splash Island in Biñan (Laguna)

11. Woodside Farm and Water Park in Cabuyao (Laguna)

12. Batis Aramin Hotel and Resort in Lucban (Quezon)

13. Punta de Fabian in Baras (Rizal)

14. By the Sea Resort (Olongapo City)

15. Sabang Beach Resort in Bulan (Sorsogon)

16. Bang Saen Beach (Thailand)

17. Koh Samet Island (Thailand) - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

18. La Vista Pansol Resort in Calamba, Laguna

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Experiencing Laguna (Part 1): Our Overnight Stay in La Vista Pansol Resort

Laguna is an unfortunate place for my kids who enjoy swimming. This landlocked province has no beach or access to the open sea. It only has access to Laguna de Bay, which is a terrible place to dip in. Fortunately, Laguna has another option and that is the hot springs of Calamba and Los Baños.

So last month, when the kids were clamoring for a swim, we brought them to Calamba and booked an overnight stay at La Vista Pansol.

It was not our first time swimming in the hot springs of Calamba since we already visited Laguna Hot Springs twice. What prompted me to choose La Vista Pansol this time is their swimming pool for kids.

Kiddie Pool of La Vista Pansol Resort

The children’s swimming pool has a “fort” in the center that has plenty of slides. My kids truly enjoyed it.

Aside from the kiddie slides, La Vista Pansol also has slides for adults. These slides reminded me of Woodside Farm and Water Park in Cabuyao.

Giant slides! Ang paboritong slide ni Panganay.

It was Friday when we had our overnight so there were very few guests during our stay. Add to the fact that the swimming pools are big then we did not feel crowded during our whole stay. Our photos clearly show na walang tao. I was able to take photos as if there are no guest in this resort.

The kids truly enjoyed the kiddie slides and pool but my eldest son, who is a daredevil, preferred the adult slide. I tried it twice and I might not try it again in the future since it made me nervous.

My kids usually have irritations and itchy skin after dipping into a swimming pool because of the high chlorine content of the water. It was not so in La Vista Pansol since the water is sourced directly from the hot spring. I actually saw pipes pouring hot water directly into the swimming pool. We even used the warm water to massage our backs.

My parents’ favorite area is the hot spring pool. They spent a long time relaxing their body in the warm waters of natural spring.

An Impromptu Visit to a Zoo

The one amenity that other resorts in Pansol don’t have is the Laguna Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center that hosts a variety of birds and other animals. And the good thing about it is that we didn't pay any additional fee to enter it.

My kids’ favorite is this parrot that talked back to them.

That parrot’s favorite word is “pangit” (ugly) and it shamelessly shouted it to us much to the laughter of our little ones. Nakakatuwa makitang tumawa ang mga bata and it is such a good time for us.

We also saw other birds, a giant tortoise, sheep, goats, snakes, and monkeys.

It was fun seeing the kids getting excited with the animals. The side trip to the Wildlife Rescue Center is definitely worth the time.

Some Negative Comments on La Vista Pansol Resort

I think that the current La Vista Pansol is but a shadow of its former glory. This resort is already run down due to lack of maintenance. The room that we had is “ok” but can be improved.

The gate of La Vista Pansol Resort with broken signage.

There were plenty of things that were lacking such as the water kettle. I even had to go back and forth between the room and resort lobby just to get hot water for our morning coffee.

Rooms in La Vista Pansol Resort

Another thing that was lacking was breakfast. They didn’t have complimentary breakfast nor did they sell any decent meal. What they only have are cup noodles and other sari-sari store items in their small store, which are pricier than normal.

La Vista Pansol’s store also has limited items for sale so we had to go out and walk a long distance to another store with touristy prices.

The resort is also far away from the highway and we had to hire a tricycle to bring us there. This is so unlike Laguna Hot Springs that is just walking distance from the highway.

How Much is Our La Vista Pansol Experience

Our group is composed of 7 persons, namely, me, My Beloved Wife, our 3 kids, and my parents.

The resort charged us a total of 4,160. However, due to the senior citizen discount and the Valentines Month promo for married couples, we only paid 3,320 pesos for the overnight stay. Our payment already covered our room and the swimming pools, excluding the wave pool.

I think that the amount that we paid is reasonable since our kids enjoyed their swim without the crowd. We are lucky that we went to La Vista Pansol during the weekday.

Room, cottage, and other rates can be viewed in the official FB page of La Vista Pansol Resort.

Our Overall Experience in La Vista Pansol

Despite the negative comments that I had with La Vista Pansol Resort, I still give this place a very good rating since our kids enjoy the pool because of their many slides and various amenities. I hope that they improve the place so that we can have a better experience when we visit next time.

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Read my other blog posts for the Experiencing and Historical Laguna series:

The Historical Laguna (Part 1): Rizal Monument and a Peek at the History of Biñan

Experiencing Laguna (Part 2): A Healthy and Relaxing Dip in Laguna Hot Spring Resort (Pansol, Calamba)

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Summer is here! Are you looking for a place to swim? Read about my other blog posts about resorts and beaches that I visited previously:

1. Catadman Lodge in Danao City (Cebu)

2. San Francisco Bay Lodge in Camotes Islands (Cebu)

3. Camotes Islands beach resorts (Cebu)

4. Lake Danao in Camotes Islands (Cebu)

5. Honda Bay (Palawan) Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

6. Microtel Hotel in Puerto Princesa (Palawan)

7. Puerto Princesa Underground River (Palawan): Part 1 -  Part 2 - Part 3

8. Canyon Cove Resort in Nasugbu (Batangas)

9. Laiya Aplaya in San Juan (Batangas)

10. Splash Island in Biñan (Laguna)

11. Woodside Farm and Water Park in Cabuyao (Laguna)

12. Batis Aramin Hotel and Resort in Lucban (Quezon)

13. Punta de Fabian in Baras (Rizal)

14. By the Sea Resort (Olongapo City)

15. Sabang Beach Resort in Bulan (Sorsogon)

16. Bang Saen Beach (Thailand)

17. Koh Samet Island (Thailand) - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

18. Laguna Hot Spring Resort in Pansol, Calamba

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The Historical Laguna (Part 1): Rizal Monument and a Peek at the History of Biñan

 Our family usually goes to the City of Biñan because of its palengke. Biñan's marketplace or palengke is much bigger and offers cheaper options compared to those in Cabuyao or Santa Rosa. It is the "bagsakan" of vegetables and fruits, which are the items that are on the priority list of My Beloved Wife. That’s why if you ask our kids what they think of Biñan then the palengke will be on the top of their mind. 

There is more to Biñan than its palengke because it is a town that is strongly connected to the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal. We discovered this connection when we saw Jose Rizal’s school near the palengke. Biñan fosters this connection by featuring a Rizal Monument in Biñan Plaza, which is located at the center of the poblacion.

I brought my kids to Biñan Plaza one time while we were waiting for My Beloved Wife to finish her visit to the market.

Rizal Monument and the Alberto Mansion in the background.

Standing prominently in the park is the golden statue of Jose Rizal.

This is the same statue that was beheaded in 2015 after being hit by lightning. Good thing that the Biñan City Government prioritized restoring Rizal’s statue to its former glory.

This statue was once considered as the tallest Jose Monument in the Philippines. However, that title was taken by Santa Cruz, Laguna when a 7.9-meter bronze Jose Rizal statue was erected in that town in 2014. Calamba later on took over the title when it built its new Jose Rizal Monument with the height of 13 meters.

Biñan’s Rizal Monument may no longer hold  its record as the tallest but it certainly holds the title of being one of the oldest monuments dedicated to the national hero. It was said to be more than 100 years old and was sculpted by Guillermo Tolentino.

On the pedestal are the words "AL DR. JOSE RIZAL EL PUEBLO DE BIÑANG EN CUMPLIMIENTO DE SU DEBER"

The text read in English as: "To Dr. Jose Rizal, the people of Biñan fulfill their duty." I relied on Google Translate so I am not sure if it's the correct translation.

At the foot of the pedestal are statues of ladies — who are not the statues of Jose Rizal's love interests but the muses typically depicted in artworks.

The history of Biñan's Rizal Monument is also written at the foot of the pedestal.

The plaque says that Biñan's Rizal Monument was finished on May 14, 1918 and cost about 4,000 pesos. The building of the monument was led by Jose M. Rizal, who was a relative of the National Hero.

Biñan boasts of a personal connection to Jose Rizal because this is the hometown of his father and mother. In fact, the house where Teodora Alonso, Jose’s mother, spent her teenage years just across Biñan Plaza is now called the Alberto Mansion. I was not aware that that old house is a very important heritage structure. Unfortunately, Teodora Alonso’s house was almost destroyed by a private company who planned to demolish it. The house was saved by the city government but it was not restored to its original form.

The Alberto Mansion is claimed to be the place where Jose Rizal’s parents met. Jose’s father lived just across the Alberto Mansion, which is said to be the place where the Biñan Market now stands.  

There are other interesting spots in Biñan Plaza. Facing Rizal's Monument is the stage known as Los Maduros Bandstand, so named because its construction was made possible by the donation by Los Maduros Club.

This is also considered as a local heritage site and serves as the platform for cultural events and other social activities. The stage is said to be unique because it looked like the front of a "bakya" or wooden clog, which was the main product of Biñan.

The Los Maduros Club is a civic organization established in 1947. The club conducted community services and infrastructure projects in Biñan. The city government exerted efforts to revive this defunct club as part of their goal for the cultural revival of Biñan.

The Los Maduros Bandstand is embellished with statues depicting the rural life in Biñan.

The city government also made efforts to preserve the heritage houses and structures surrounding Biñan Plaza aside from the Alberto Mansion.

San Isidro Labrador Church, which is Biñan's oldest church, is just across the plaza.

Biñan is fortunate to have city leaders who are aware of the importance of culture and history. Preserving the city's cultural heritage is one of the best gifts that they can give to the citizens of Biñan and the future generations.

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Read my other blog posts for the Experiencing Laguna series:

Experiencing Laguna (Part 2): Our Overnight Stay in La Vista Pansol Resort

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References:

1. Century-old Rizal monument in Laguna 'beheaded' by lightning by Inquirer.Net

2. Rizal's Tallest Monument by Calamba City Government

3. Laguna erects world’s tallest Rizal statue by Inquirer.Net

4. Experience Biñan: Plaza Rizal now a tourist magnet by Opinyon Laguna

5. Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office

6. Araw ng Biñan inaugurates new Plaza Rizal by Property Report PH

7. The Families of Old Binan, Laguna I by Remembrance of Things Awry

8. Biñan wins 10-year fight over house of Rizal’s mother by Inquirer.Net

Visita Iglesia: Santa Rosa de Lima Church (Santa Rosa, Laguna)

During the Second World War, when Japanese soldiers ravaged the land, residents of the lowlands of Laguna claimed that a lady in black and white appeared to them and told them to seek refuge in the town of Santa Rosa. They said that the lady told them that they will not go hungry because rice and fish are plentiful in the town of Santa Rosa. Upon reaching Santa Rosa, they realized that the lady who talked to them is Santa Rosa de Lima, who is the patron saint of the town. This story is just one of the miracles of Santa Rosa de Lima for the residents of the town named after her.

Santa Rosa de Lima Church is the oldest church in Santa Rosa City. In fact, the church’s history is intimately connected to the city's history because the church was established with the town.

Santa Rosa de Lima Church, just like in the typical old towns of the Philippines, is located at the center of the town beside the plaza and the government buildings. The church is now partially covered by Santa Rosa City’s Rizal Park.

The church started as a visita of Bucol, which is the old name of Santa Rosa when it was still a barrio of Biñan. The construction of the current church structure began in 1790 by the Spanish Dominican friars, who recruited Chinese laborers for the project. It is claimed that the old Chinese families in Santa Rosa descended from these Chinese laborers.

The construction was finished in 1792 and the Dominican friars selected Santa Rosa de Lima, also a Dominican, as the patroness of the new parish. Simultaneously, Barrio Bucol was also made a new municipio or municipality of Santa Rosa on January 18, 1792.

The first Mass honoring Santa Rosa de Lima in the new church was done on August 30, 1812 by Fray Francisco Favie, who was the first parish priest of the new town. August 30 is formerly the feast day for Santa Rosa de Lima.

I felt the centuries of history when I visited Santa Rosa de Lima Church. It is clear by just looking at its exterior that it is a very old church. The walls are of adobe blocks, which is similar to the ones used in the much older Saint Polycarp Church in Cabuyao. However, unlike the Cabuyao Church with a big bell tower, Santa Rosa de Lima Church has a smaller and less prominent bell tower.

I read that Santa Rosa de Lima Church has 8 majestic bells, with each of them having their own name.

The facade is made of gray adobe blocks, which is typical of the churches made during the Spanish period.

The facade features the four Evangelists and other saints. I think at the top is the image of the Virgin Mary.

In front of the church is the statue of Santa Rosa de Lima flanked by the statues of Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Martin de Porres, and two other saints.

The statues of Santa Rosa and other saints were erected to commemorate the visits of two ambassadors of Peru. The first Peruvian ambassador who visited was Victor Aritomi-Shinto in 1999 and the second one was Julio Cardenas in 2000.

The church’s door is simple, not as ornate as the ones in Manila Cathedral or San Agustin Church in Intramuros.

The church is cavernous and much spacious compared to Balibago Church.

What immediately caught my attention upon entrance to the church are the tombstones on the wall.

I consider tombstones on the wall as proof that a church is old. The practice of burial of the dead inside the church was a common practice during the Spanish Period. Such practice was discontinued during the American Period when the Americans instituted their health and sanitary laws that prohibited burial of the dead within the church premises.

The oldest tombstone that I saw is dated March 28, 1898.

It is Holy Week when I visited so all of the images, excluding the Crucified Jesus, are veiled. 

What’s interesting is that the parish kept the altar rails in front of the altar. The rails are used to separate the pews from the holiest part of the church.

Another purpose of the rails is this is where the faithful kneel to receive the Holy Communion. Note of the kneelers in front of the altar rails.

The painting of the four Evangelists on the ceiling reminded of the similar painting in St. Polycarp Church of Cabuyao.

On the side ceiling are the paintings of the apostles.

At the end of the ceiling is the image of Judas Iscariote. The word “Iscariote” was painted over but I can still read it. 

The image is definitely of the traitor because it is the only whose name is not preceded by an S., which is the abbreviation for the Spanish word "San" or saint in English. I guess this is the only church where Judas Iscariot was depicted positively.

The current paintings on the ceiling are not the original ones. It is said that the original paintings were great attractions from 1923 to 1960. The said paintings, which featured the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Coronation of the Apostles, San Roque, and other Biblical scenes and saints, are comparable to the ceiling paintings of Quiapo Church. The original paintings were removed because they were destroyed by old age and bats. The only original paintings that remained are those of King David and Saint Cecilia at the choir loft. I do hope that these remaining paintings will be preserved.

The old paintings were replaced by the modern giant electric fans!

At the side is the spiral staircase to the choir loft.

Sadly, the caretakers of the church did not permit to climb up the stairs to have good look of the choir loft and the remaining original paintings.

The church also has the baptistry that has a marble baptismal font, an image of Jesus holding a thurible, Santo Entierro, and the veiled replica of the Pieta.

My visit to Santa Rosa de Lima Church was just short. But in that brief time I felt the intensity of history that the church represents. The church of Santa Rosa de Lima is the witness to the birth of the town, its sufferings during wars, and its growth into a city that touts itself as the Lion City of the South.

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Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting seven or fourteen churches during Maundy Thursday. For each day, this Holy Week, I will feature one church as a sort of virtual Visita Iglesia.

Read about the churches that I visited this year

Palm Sunday: Immaculate Conception Church in Concepcion Uno, Marikina

Holy Monday: Santo Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati

Fig Tuesday: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel in SM Makati

Spy Wednesday: Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Santa Rosa, Laguna

Maundy Thursday: Saint John Paul II Chapel in NAIA Terminal 3

Good Friday: Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Manila

Black Saturday: Quiapo Church in Manila

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References:

1. A Brief History: The Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church in the Santa Rosa de Lima Parish

2. Santa Rosa City Laguna: Lion City of the South

3. City Government of Santa Rosa, Laguna

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