The Twin Churches of Bustillos


Yes, that’s plural! Funny how two churches could sit almost right beside each other. Well, not literally side by side as they seem to have been built at an angle from each other. Though their entrances converge on one street. Gosh, I thought the St. Joseph Parish and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Immaculate Concepcion in Zamboanga City were too near each other. I also thought it was weird for Cebu’s Metropolitan Cathedral to be just a short block away from the Basilica Minore Del Sto Nino. So there I was, wondering all the more, how come churches big as these are beside each other?

Am not sure what brought me to this area in Sta. Mesa. Probably this was the time I accompanied a friend to have his license renewed at the Professional Regulation Commission’s offices in Manila. I have been to Bustillos years ago when I was just a boy who would jump out to tag along when mom would go anywhere. And I think she had friends who lived in this area. I think I may have even entered one or both of those churches. But it did not catch my curiosity then, why such two parishes are a few steps from each other.

I wonder, when mass is being celebrated on one, wouldn’t the priest or the brethren get disturbed or distracted when the same activity is in progress at the other? I’d like to stand in between them soon one Sunday, perchance to hear and experience how things happen at these churches. Here’s more, wouldn’t it be weird if a wedding was in progress at one church while a funeral is at the other?! Ah hehe, since they’ve been together so for a long time, I think the priests and the faithful do get along just as well.

Why are those churches there and how come they are together? I needed to know so I asked around… I learned that the darker colored church (is that orange?) is called ‘Our Lady of Loreto Parish’ or more commonly referred to as Loreto Church while the lighter colored church (pink) is called ‘St. Anthony Of Padua Shrine’ generally called San Antonio de Padua Church. And none of the two is new. Gosh, the former has been there since the 1600s while the latter started as a chapel when the St. Francis of Assisi church over at Intramuros was downed during the war. Then it was later erected/reconstructed into a church due to the number of devotees flocking to it. Together, these two edifices are commonly referred to by locals as "The Twin Churches of Bustillos". But I think am not satisfied, I need to know more.

Anyway, now that I know they’re both ‘historic’, the more that I itch to visit them for a closer look. Am sure I am bound to find or learn more about these two churches. And yes, I really dream of standing between the two while mass services are simultaneously in progress hehe!

=====
Btw, did you know that there are more than 220 (and growing) church stories in this blog? Hover over Categories Menu and click 'Houses Of Prayer'. You may also try the Search button above-right!

= o = o = o = o = o = o = o = o =

Please also subscribe to my youtube channel and follow/like my facebook page!



Previous
Next

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Carigara Delicacies as Pasalubong

Image
This was still on my joyride from Calubian to Tacloban, we naturally had to pass by Carigara. This time we "stopped-to-shop" oh ha?! My driver promised his three lovely daughters that he would bring home some pasalubong from Carigara, thus the 'shopping'. He went (I followed) to only this roadside store.., Well, he's been a driver for so long a time, I cannot contest his knowledge on where to buy the best of these pasalubongs! There are many stores on this highway strip, and I think they sell the same things! As the driver picked what he had to pick (and haggled with the vendors for more] I clicked hehe! Here's the honest deal about me and these sweets from Carigara - or other sweets from anywhere for that matter: I am not really too keen on any of them, such that I'd crave for, or plan to specifically seek them out. BUT - when I get started with ANY of them, there's no telling when I will/can stop. IF at all! I do not even know or care to know wha...
Read more

Puerto Galera’s White Beach - Gay Capital of the Philippines?!

Image
AMAZING must be the one word that most everyone (esp first-timers) can muster to describe the place. Compared to any other place in the country, I must say, this place is truly, yes, amazing! Some friends could only say: " ang saya-saya! " I have visited this place in the late ‘80s but we stayed at a fine resort far from White Beach. We only visited White Beach during a quick day-tour. Thus, I may fairly say, I am new to this vacation spot. Here are my notes on the recent sojourn: We arrived on a Friday declared by the government as “holiday”. So we were in for a 3D2N visit. The boat’s arrival at White Beach felt like arriving at Boracay – boat hits smack to the sand, crew lays down a wooden plank, passengers disembark through the plank on to the beach and walk up to dry land where the resorts, restaurants, bars and stores are lined toe-on-toe. However, unlike in Boracay, as we disembarked, there were not so many people in the clear and really tempting blue-green waters....
Read more

THE BOULEVARD, Surigao City

Image
Virtually everyone in Surigao City is related to this boulevard directly or indirectly! It's such a big thing , they even have a Surigao City Boulevard Development Program and a Surigao City Development Authority . I'm not joking. Those are for real. As in! Involved in it are not only their local politicians but also the chambers of commerce. What is it anyway? Foremost it's a 1.8 kilometer stretch of a highway along the seafront. The concrete pavement tells me it is still new. That is it! Walang basagan ng trip! It is an emulation (kumbaga sa Tagalog pa: gaya-gaya ) of Roxas Boulevard in Manila, or pwede rin Dumaguete’s Rizal Boulevard - and many other seafront boulevards. Aside from being a “park” for the residents, it is supposed to be an attraction in the city, showcasing whatever bla-blah-blah to attract tourists from everywhere on earth. While I was inclined to raise my eyebrows, it did attract me. I was a tourist, right?! So okay, without a speck of d...
Read more