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

Trapped In Oras, Eastern Samar

Image
Oras is a pacific-facing town up the northern portion of Eastern Samar. This town's name is not pronounced like the Tagalog word for time. No, not like that! It is [o'ras] where the stress is in the second syllable. The speed and tone is like how you say the English words "alight", "chorale", "amass" or "awash". Okay, that's good enough, I know you got it! Uu da, oke na da it! Asya it! Yesterday, I was in the area checking on some work-related matters. Stayed overnight in this town as I haven't yet heard if accommodation facilities are available in San Policarpo or Arteche (these are the 3 northern-most towns of Eastern Samar). This morning, I was on my way to other nearby places, but.. I got trapped (happily) by a parade! That long white bridge behind them is the only way out south... A youngish set of town officials, I must say. Oh, the girl in the middle is not a muse. She is THE Mayor! But by the looks of it, she migh...
Read more

Hinatuan, A Quick Visit

Image
Happy (and thankful) to have seen the center of this town, even if I did not at all dream of being in the place yet! I only wanted to see Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River which I thought were both in Bislig ! Only to find out that Enchanted River is even farther away than Hinatuan, from Bislig or Tinuy-an Falls! This place is out of the way if you come from anywhere in Bislig to the Enchanted River or vice-versa! So, how did I find myself here? Nag-detour? Well, I would like to think of this as some kind of a gift! An addition to my itinerary (at no extra cost), for lack of anything else to do and/or any place else to see! Why? Because we were moving too fast from place to place, because: I did not stay long at Tinuy-an Falls or Enchanted River.., because: there were just too many visitors that I did not enjoy it any longer! Whose fault? Mine! Lesson learned: DO NOT VISIT SURIGAO DEL SUR ON A HOLY WEEK! So.., because we were already done with Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted Ri...
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