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.

Silver Adornments - Taal Basilica

The Tabernacle with the silver trappings

If you want to see the best example of Spanish colonial Treasure then it would be no other than but the Silver Set of Taal Basilica. The silver adornment that the Basilica possess is considered as the finest in the islands dating back to 1782.

The set was brought by the Augustinian priest Fr. Jose Vitoria that Taal still possess up to present. The Silver Tabernacle is considered as the only of its kind in the Philippines, with a silver sunburst on top. Next to it is are the silver trappings with various designs of flowers and the seal of the Augustinian Order. The set when look closely shine like a mirror.

The Altar adorned with the set

Sadly not all of the adornments are there, according to Sir. Dindo Montenegro a lot of the treasury of the Basilica went to nowhere, some of the were stolen or lost overtime. One example are the "Hanchas", large candle stands similar to those of Lipa Cathedral, said to have lost after the war. For now the Basilica treasury keeps an eye on the remaining silver adornments.

Credits to http://www.flickr.com/people/santoninosouthtexas/

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The Ever Wondering Virgin - The Our Lady of Caysasay

Nuestra Señora de Caysasay
Taal, Batangas

Of all the Marian images I know the Virgin of Caysasay, locally as Birhen ng Caysasay is the most mysterious and one of the most fascinating. Her story endure many that she is know for being "Mapaghimala", yours truly is also one of those whom had got en touch to her making her as my Patroness in time of need.But what is the story behind this image and how it became one of the most popular rendition of the Immaculate Conception and She being known as the smallest Marian Image in the Philippines.

The discovery of Juan Maningcad in 1603

According to my research, in the year 1603, a pious fisherman named Juan Manigcad went fishing in the Pansipit River, while casting his net he felt some weight he them lifted the net and was  amaze to discover a wooden image of the Virgin Mary. According to him the image twinkle like star even after its long immersion in the  water. Not knowing where did it come from he then carried it to the village. Juan  then ask whom have lost the it, one of the elder then say the image might have been carried by the Spaniards in one of there expedition some years ago, possibly thrown overboard to pacify the ravages of the ocean and was carried by the waves to the river. Soon the news of the discovery reach the Parish Priest of Taal, the priest decided to see the image itself. There they saw the beautiful image they knelt down and venerated it. They decided to take the it to the Capital where a fest was celebrated.

The Image as looks when it was discovered in 1603 and rediscovery in 1611

The priest entrusted the image to Doña Maria Espiritu, where she placed the Virgin in an urn. But one night she saw the urn empty and the image was gone yet at the break of dawn it was again in its usual place. Worried about the disappearance, the Lady contacted the priest. Upon hearing he ordered to stay on vigil on the Virgin along with others. In their guard they found the urn empty yet in the morning the image was found inside not knowing where did it go, this manifestation continue for days not knowing the Virgins desire.

Then one night they heard a mysterious music that caused them great joy, they followed the music and found themselves in rocky hillside now known as "Barrio Caysasay". After some time the Priest decided to take the image and bring it to the church(now in ruins after the 1754 eruption) for safe keeping. But the image continue to leave until one day it completely disappeared and was nowhere to be found.

After several years, in the place where the image used to be found, two women gathering firewood namely; Maria Bagohin and Maria Talain got thirsty and found a well. While looking at the water they saw a reflection of an image, they looked up and saw the lost image on a tall Sampaguita bush surrounded by Kasay-kasay birds along with two lighted candles on each side. They immediately reported the what they saw to the priest, whom at first did not believe. The two women plead asking to accompany them. Upon hearing  the priest took his hat and followed them. Upon their arrival the priest saw the lost Virgin, knowing its intention the priest and the people decided the image to stay in what they soon called as "Barrio Caysasay", they later constructed a small chapel made of bamboo and nipa afterwards.

The site where the chapel they erected was rocky spot, forested and inundated by salt water, which made it hard for the people to live. They invoked the help of the Virgin, until one day fresh water sprang from the rock near the chapel. Sometime later the chapel of light materials was torn down to make way for a stone edifice, a stone church made of Coral stone was built with the aid of some Chinese masons, one of which was a in the name "Haybing", the structure was made in a span of two years only disturb by the by the Chinese uprising in Manila in 1639, which later ordered all Chinese be decapitated in the town of Taal. The church was finish in 1640.Today Church remained the same as it did for almost four centuries ago with some repairs after some damages cause by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

 The Our Lady of Caysasay, as it appears today.

A close-up of the Virgin's face

An estampita of the Virgin of Caysasay

The Virgin continue to become popular among Batangeños, wherein they flock to her sanctuary to honor or thank her for protecting them from sickness and tragedies. They also fetch water from the "Balon ng Sta. Lucia" believing to be miraculous. The image was later crowned in 1954 by Papal Nuncio Fernando Palacios and was later declared as Queen of the Archdiocese of Lipa.

The reciting of the novena

Today Her Camarera is Madam Violy Loyola

Photo credits to Randy Caponpon del Mundo and Joel de Leon via Flickr