Palapag Church
Let's roam around town. I'm like new to this place, since the last time I've been here was many years ago, via a different route, and connecting various transport modes!
This time, I traveled direct - Tacloban to Palapag. Just one ride but a story enough!
First I visited was the old and new Palapag Church or the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. This is a historical spot, with both edifices standing beside each other.
The old church ruins is at left (never 'built-over'), while the present church is at right.
I remember there was a belfry tower to the left-of that old church. It was taller than the new church. I guess It must have been the ruins now in between the 2 buildings.
If you notice, there are now 2 historical markers on the front wall of the old church.
Although now old too, the white cross on foreground was not part of the old church.
It was a later addition, together with those two white pedestals that each had a bell.
I wonder where now are the 2 old bells. They looked good on those white pedestals. Maybe being safekept somewhere. Kay alangan man nga igin-pakilo na adto heheh!
To learn more, let's scrutinize this collage of 3 photos (in portrait orientation kasi).
At center is/was the main entrance of the old church. Can't say how old the stone is -since even in 1600s it was already being attacked by storms, Moros even Sumuroy.
Oh the marker at right, installed by National Historical Institute (NHI) in 2010 says:
Established in 1605 (the actual structure was probably erected a few years later).
It then says the Sumuroy Rebellion started here in 1649, and that the 'complex' was finished by [meaning under the supervision or guidance of] Fr. Ignacio Alcina in 1663.
And it had been in use until about 1970 when the new church was finished. Wow!
The marker at left was installed by the National Historical Commission in 2024 [it's the same historical institution, nag-bago lang sila ng pangalan]. It's about Fr. Alcina.
Some of you my readers and subscribers who are fond of history and/or languages may be familiar with Fr. Francisco Ignacio Alcina, he is that priest being recognized.
Historia de las islas e indios de Bisayas... that's one of those things he bequeathed to us, the present generation. That is until now an important reference of historians.
This old-church ruins is well-maintained and open to the public. So, I went around.
Being in there, and imagining living conditions in the 1600s, it's easy to imagine that this place (like many others) must have been a physical refuge, aside from spiritual.
The walls are thick. Thicker than many buildings we see being built nowadays. I am sure those were sturdy-safe enough from the pirates' guns and cannons of that era.
Yes oy, me baril at kanyon na in those times. Syempre, probably not as "ratatatatat" as today. It was probably a "chuk-chak-click-bang" type, but surely firearms enough!
Oh, the marker says that in Alcina's latest build, this church was in cruciform shape.
Therefore.., on this shot, I was standing at what must have been the kanang kilikili of the structure. There's the altar; the big space on lower-left must have been the nave.
The open area beyond the wall must have been the left transept; and not seen in the photo, to the right, must have been the right transept. Big, for a 17th century church.
Ay, looking at the floor, it's just as big as the present church that's not in cruciform.
Eh iilan lang ba ang tao noon sa Palapag, compared to today, May 2025, di ba? That is unless (which I highly suspect was the case), Palapag was like a 'provincial center'.
Aw FYI, that's Our Lady of the Assumption Church of Palapag now. Here's the altar:
Like at many churches, their mensa also has 'the last supper' - and in carved wood, I guess! But I think panalo yung pile of 'hollow blocks' sa kanan, na ginawang planters.
Creative! It highlights the crucifiction just about enough!
And oh, I have not forgotten my style, always taking a shot of the priest's view...
This was erected in 1970, yet everything looks new. It must've been refurbished just recently. Salamat sa mga 'donors and benefactors'. Sana all! Aw, kaka-election pala!
The choir loft seem well-appointed. I hope it is being earnestly used hehe. Why? Eh, me nasagap akong marites (not in Palapag). Yun choir daw ayaw sa loft kasi di sila kita ng churchgoers! Doon lang daw sila sa transept malapit sa altar para kita. Epal!
Trivia: not clear in the picture above, but at the very center of that choir loft, there is a wall clock facing directly to the mensa. Same purpose, I suppose - para han padi!
Para han padi nga turaban, na-tag-saka-oras an homily hahaha! Peace mga padre!
Hey, on my way away from the altar going out, I looked to the right and saw this...
Children and their catechists, playing games on the grounds between the old & new church buildings! I watched a few moments. I think I wished I was in that age again.
After a while, one of the ladies told me that what they were doing is a regular part of their 'flores de mayo' activities. After play, they'd do the lessons, and more activities.
Out on the street, I turned around to have a final look at the façade of the church...
Nice di ba? That shot was one reason why I said: I must arrive at Palapag where the afternoon sun was still up, since this church faces west! I think I was even too early.
Had I waited for the 'golden hour', there would have been more yellows and oranges for a dramatic composition. Woh! I still remember some of my photography lessons!
Fantastic visit!
This time, I traveled direct - Tacloban to Palapag. Just one ride but a story enough!
First I visited was the old and new Palapag Church or the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. This is a historical spot, with both edifices standing beside each other.
I remember there was a belfry tower to the left-of that old church. It was taller than the new church. I guess It must have been the ruins now in between the 2 buildings.
If you notice, there are now 2 historical markers on the front wall of the old church.
It was a later addition, together with those two white pedestals that each had a bell.
To learn more, let's scrutinize this collage of 3 photos (in portrait orientation kasi).
Oh the marker at right, installed by National Historical Institute (NHI) in 2010 says:
Established in 1605 (the actual structure was probably erected a few years later).
It then says the Sumuroy Rebellion started here in 1649, and that the 'complex' was finished by [meaning under the supervision or guidance of] Fr. Ignacio Alcina in 1663.
And it had been in use until about 1970 when the new church was finished. Wow!
The marker at left was installed by the National Historical Commission in 2024 [it's the same historical institution, nag-bago lang sila ng pangalan]. It's about Fr. Alcina.
Some of you my readers and subscribers who are fond of history and/or languages may be familiar with Fr. Francisco Ignacio Alcina, he is that priest being recognized.
Historia de las islas e indios de Bisayas... that's one of those things he bequeathed to us, the present generation. That is until now an important reference of historians.
This old-church ruins is well-maintained and open to the public. So, I went around.
The walls are thick. Thicker than many buildings we see being built nowadays. I am sure those were sturdy-safe enough from the pirates' guns and cannons of that era.
Yes oy, me baril at kanyon na in those times. Syempre, probably not as "ratatatatat" as today. It was probably a "chuk-chak-click-bang" type, but surely firearms enough!
Oh, the marker says that in Alcina's latest build, this church was in cruciform shape.
The open area beyond the wall must have been the left transept; and not seen in the photo, to the right, must have been the right transept. Big, for a 17th century church.
Ay, looking at the floor, it's just as big as the present church that's not in cruciform.
Aw FYI, that's Our Lady of the Assumption Church of Palapag now. Here's the altar:
Creative! It highlights the crucifiction just about enough!
And oh, I have not forgotten my style, always taking a shot of the priest's view...
The choir loft seem well-appointed. I hope it is being earnestly used hehe. Why? Eh, me nasagap akong marites (not in Palapag). Yun choir daw ayaw sa loft kasi di sila kita ng churchgoers! Doon lang daw sila sa transept malapit sa altar para kita. Epal!
Trivia: not clear in the picture above, but at the very center of that choir loft, there is a wall clock facing directly to the mensa. Same purpose, I suppose - para han padi!
Para han padi nga turaban, na-tag-saka-oras an homily hahaha! Peace mga padre!
Hey, on my way away from the altar going out, I looked to the right and saw this...
After a while, one of the ladies told me that what they were doing is a regular part of their 'flores de mayo' activities. After play, they'd do the lessons, and more activities.
Out on the street, I turned around to have a final look at the façade of the church...
Had I waited for the 'golden hour', there would have been more yellows and oranges for a dramatic composition. Woh! I still remember some of my photography lessons!
Fantastic visit!
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