Our Lady of Caysasay Visit Candelaria, Quezon 2011

The Our Lady of Caysasay at Candelaria Quezon

For its 29th year of visiting Candelaria, Quezon. I got the privilege to attend the event last February 13-14. Back then it was an invitation of Madame Licup for me to have a visit to Candelaria back in December 8(Feast of the Virgin of Caysasay). She told me about the tradition of the Licup family of bringing the devotion of the Our Lady of Caysasay to Candelaria.

The Parish Church of San Pedro Baustista Candelaria, Quezon

A deeper meaning of devotion that I discovered was that many of the devotees are of Chinese decent, they believe the Virgin of Caysasay is a reincarnation of the Chinese Goddess Ma-Cho(Patroness of Sea Ferrer's). In the Catholic tradition Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception which Caysasay falls is know as Stella Maris which means Star of the Sea, thus the connection of the Ma-cho and Caysasay are the same.

The "Paputong", the tradition of placing the base of the Image over the head of the devotees

Upon my arrival a large number of devotees flock the Church in line of the traditional"Paputong". Most were Chinese devotees were in  red, the presence of incense sticks and two large red candles were present, similar to Chinese temples only inside a Catholic Church.. The Image was then enthrone in an Altar located next to the lectern of commentator. A procession washeld after the 4 pm Mass. The Image was then carried by Fr. Larry Famarin to the entrance of the Church ready for the procession, many devotees were getting a chance to touch the Virgin.

The fireworks display after the procession

The procession move around the poblacion of Candelaria with the hymn of Caysasay and the reciting of the Holy Rosary. The procession ended with the fireworks display in the Plaza in honor of the Our Lady of Caysasay. What was interesting is how devoted the people of Candelaria especially the Chinese. 

The Art above the Heads - Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the Holy Child of Batangas, Batangas City

The Patroness of the Basilica

Thinking that few churches in the region had paintings where ceilings and wall

s of religious symbols, angels, and saints are found in chuches can also be discovered here in Batangas, a style known as Trompe o'loeil . The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the Holy Child of Batangas is one

the best place to see these paintings.

With all the glory of these paintings, it is a treasure that steals the beholder, Above is the painting that will greet all as one enter's to the main door of the church.

One of the painting above the side doors

The nave of the Basilica

On its side are murals of the life and work of Christ such as the "Finding in the Temple" and th"Ascension to Heaven",the most common feature also is the Coat of Arms of the Pope in Vatican.

Detail of the section above the nave

The Battle in Heaven

Another beautiful feature are the framed paintings in the sides near the portico, these painting showcase the "The Expiration at the Cross" and "The Battle in Heaven". Other works can also be seen while walking in the sides but the best are those seen in the transept(crossing). With so infinite detail and artistry one is amazed by the realistic look of the painting.

Detail of the Ascension to Heaven

Ascension to Heaven

The Transept has two magnificent showpiece are the "Ascension to Heaven" in the left side and the "Holy Trinity " in the right.

The Holy Trinity

Detail of the painting

Both has details of structures of the bygone era and even a part showing the city of Jerusalem.

The Holy Eucharist above the presbytery

Similar to that of San Agustin in Intramuros, Giovanni Alberoni and Cesare Dibella where hired by the Augustinian Fathers to paint the interior, these two were also the painters whom give life to the interior of Taal Church(now Basilica) in the late 19th century after its construction.

Taal Basilica restoration

The Trompe l'oeil ceiling

For decades Taal Basilica's interior has been painted only in whites and blues . The last restoration project was done back in 1972 as part of the preparation for the town's quad centennial celebration. Originally I fought I was a joke of Msgr. Madlangbayan about his idea of repainting again the interior. Its was until in the last quarter of 2010 that the restoration project was started. According to several sources Msgr. Madlangbayan consulted the National Historical Institute for the restoration.

The nave looking from the Altar

The first part was nave with restoration of its trompe l'oeil ceiling, in order to maintain the features the workers copied the details from the apse of the church. A total of five sections were restored back to its original setting. The restoration of the nave also includes the walls and the pulpit.

The restored pulpit

The pulpit was repainted and gold leaf gilding was added, so too its side altars in the transept, the addition of gold leaf gilding brought back life to the old altar.

The facade with newly restored bell tower

The original setting also of the bell tower of the Basilica was also brought back. The original belfry was destroyed back in 1942 by an earthquake. The new bell tower was constructed sometime in the 1990's which became the talk of the town because of its milk bottle like shape. Lately it was decided to restore it back and probably carillon bells will be added later.