EXPLORE LEYTE: CARIGARA

CARIGARA
•The Holy Cross
•July 15-16



It was first called Kangara (Kan Gara), meaning "that of Gara". Gara was said to have come from Borneo, one of the unnamed companions of the ten datus who landed in Panay and purchased that island from the Ati (Asta) chief Marikudo. Later, for phonetic convenience, Kangara became Kalgara and when the Spaniards came, they called the place Carigara until now.

1580. Augustinians Friars led by Fr. Alonso Velasquez came to Carigara.



1595. July 16, Jesuit missionaries arrived in the persons of Fr. Pedro Chirino, Fr. Juan del Campo, Cosme Flores, Br. Gaspay Garay and Martin. This period was also called the Golden Age of Carigara, making Carigara the religious capitan of half of the Visayas and the whole Mindanao.

Carigara becames Leyte's capital twice. 1770 and early years and 1824-1830.

_______
#jakku

REF.
•Photo:
(Datu Gara Shrine) DwaineWoolley
(Carigara Church) fb/CarigaraLeyte
•Leyte Town Histories and Legends. 1980. Francisco Tantuico Jr.

TACLOBAN : STO NIÑO OF JUNE

WHY JUNE AND NOT JANUARY?

Sancta Porta ceiling paiting of

Sto Niño Parish Tacloban

Sto. Niño de Tacloban 1889
December 16, 2013 · Toronto, Canada ·

REMEMBER Leyteños the 1889 miracle of the Sto Niño de Tacloban...... "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22
The Santo Nino de Leyte has been the object of devotion and worship by Leytenos since the first Missionaries in the island introduced the Image. Over the years, the residents of Tacloban were drawn together by their mutual affection for the Child Jesus.

The "Hermanidad han Santo Nino" was later created and the feast day of the Holy Child was celebrated every third Sunday of January. However, a series of dramatic and miraculous events unfolded and forever changed and shaped the destiny of the Leytenos and their patron saint, Senor Santo Nino.
In 1888, the original image of the Child Jesus, known as the "El Capitan", was brought to Manila for a facelift and a change of its vestments in preparation for its forthcoming feast day. On its return trip to Tacloban on-board the steamship "Luzon", the image was packed in a crate together with some heavy bronze "Candelabras".

The Santo Nino, however, did not reach its destination as the ship caught fire off the coast of the Mindoro and Romblon provinces. In the midst of the confusion, the crate containing the image of the Sto. Nino was thrown overboard and, for some time was believed to be lost at sea.

A year after the incident, the devotees and residents of Tacloban were at the brink of giving up all hope of ever seeing their beloved Sto. Nino again. The feast day of the Holy Child came and went without a celebration. Adding to this despair was a cholera epidemic that engulfed Tacloban. The deadly plague claimed many lives and, almost every night, its victims were loaded into a "aromata" or two-wheeled carriage drawn by carabao, to be buried in common graves.

At the height of the epidemic, the Leyte Governor received a letter from Jose Gil de Avalle, Military Governor of Mindoro, stating that a crate labeled "Santo Nino Han Tacloban" was spotted at sea by one of his Barrio Lieutenants. The crate was seen afloat with a boy standing on its top and, to the disbelief of the natives of Mindoro, it remained afloat despite its heavy load of bronze Candelabras.
The Hermanidad promptly organized and dispatched a team of nine volunteers to retrieve the image. News of the recovery and the image's expected arrival spread like wild fire. Devotees and residents, including those struck with the plague - in canes, crutches, stretchers and hammocks - all trooped to the waterfront to welcome home their beloved Sto. Nino.

The boat "Consuelo" bearing the Sto. Nino was met with much rejoicing as it docked at about three in the afternoon, June 30, 1889. History reveals that on this day, the cholera epidemic disappeared. Since then, the 30th of June became the feast day of the Senor Santo Nino de Leyte. It is always a day of thanksgiving, prayer, rejoicing and celebration.

Sto Niño de Tacloban, pray for the survivors & the deceased victims of Typhoon Yolanda!

By
Gilda Giron
Photo: jakku

TACLOBAN : CANCABATO BAY

Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City is named after Kabato (Kan Kabato; belonging to Kabato), Tacloban's famous chieftain.

TACLOBAN : YOLANDA MEMORIAL

Remembering the dark days of Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) and the lights of hope afterwards.

The Yolanda memorial stoods at the grounds of Tacloban City Convention Center (Astrodome) and was inaugurated in 2015. The design depicts Unity and Hope.

The tragedy sliced almost half of Tacloban's population. 

TACLOBAN : CAPITOLIO

The "PAMUNUAN SAN LALAWIGAN SAN LEYTE" or CAPITOLIO, the office of the Province of Leyte Government is a neoclassical building built in early 1900s.

This site is historically the proclamation site of the commonwealth govt of the Philippines where Tacloban City was declared a temporary capital of the Philippines during WWII.

The sides of the building has its recent installations with walls depicting two of the greatest events in Eastern Visayas. The First Mass in Limasawa and the Liberation.

**********
Phonography:
Taken with Samsung J7Prime (Arix)

TACLOBAN : A BIT OF VIGAN

A bite of Vigan's famous Calle Crisologo can be found in Tacloban La Esquina Zamora en Juan Luna.

The Spanish inspired house/foodspot is Esquina Rose. I remember this place as a carenderia in late 90s.

TACLOBAN : ST RAPHAEL PARISH of SAGKAHAN

St Raphael the Archangel Parish
Sagkahan District
Tacloban City

The Parish' altar

VISIT TACLOBAN: LEYTE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL

the LEYTE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL BUILDING, Magsaysay Boulevard, Tacloban City. before the City was proclaimed as HUC, this is where the Governor of Leyte is being sheltered. all the transactions of the Province were done here.

Historically, this is also where the Commonwealth came to reality when during 1917, the President of the Republic Sergio Osmeña led the construction of the building and was done on 1924 under the terms of Gov. Salvador Demetrio and Gov. Honorio Lopez.

October 23, 1944, a simple ceremony headed by Gen. Douglas MacArthur was done on the very stairs of the Building with Pres. Osmeña and boasted the newly established government, and awarded several soldiers with 5th calvary honors while a DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS honor was awarded to Col. Ruperto Kangleon, who later on became the Governor of Leyte.

The original design of the Capitol is simple and has a sense of bravery using strong and sturdy looking pillars. the greek design made the whole facade of the building look more powerful and strong.

40 years after when the structure was improved and placed with historical carved details which was witnessed by the building. as project of Governor Norberto B. Romualdez Jr., the whole building was set into a more attractive and a must see place in the CITY.

on both sides installed were the carvings of the Leyte Landing with Gen MacArthur and Pres. Diosadao Macapagal and the rest of his colleagues on October 20, 1964, while on the other side was the first mass held in Tacloban headed by Ambassador Fernando Lobao de Carvalbo of Portugal and Marquis de Aumon, representative from the Spanish Government. while enormous flagpoles were installed, statues of the soldiers awarded with honors, lions; an icon of power and governance, and mock canyons.

the whole place is a picture perfect scene and the green surroundings made the whole cool and comfortable. at night, spot lights were installed to enhance the beauty of the structure at night.

when you'll step on it's case, you'll feel the what the building had experienced during its childhood years, the war it witnessed, the bombs and the guns that deafen him and the smell of bloods that were brought in front for medication after being hit from the war.

the last Governor who homed the famous LEYTE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL was Gov. Jericho Petilla, son of once Leyte's Governor, Hon. Remedios Petilla.

so, a glimpse from the past could be experienced in TACLOBAN.

_____________________

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

WWW.FLICKR.COM

WWW.BACKPACKINGPHILIPPINES.COM

WWW.TOURISMINTHEPHILIPPINES.COM

VISIT TACLOBAN: STO NINO CHURCH

the tall tan-colored SANTO NIÑO CHURCH will take your eyes from the busy street of REAL near the MAGSAYSAY-JUSTICE junction.

the CHURCH shelters the CITY's PATRON SAINT the Child Jesus or popularly known as SENIOR SANTO NIÑO. the honoring of the Saint is held on the 30th of June, with the so-called BALYUAN rites at the BALYUAN PARK, now known as the TACLOBAN AMPHITHEATER.

The tall tanned belfry shows the religious dominance of CATHOLICS in the city. the whole church can accommodate thousands of CATHOLICS. the new facade of the structure could be seen with modern designs and creative carvings. inside is a marble flooring and chairs made of wood. the altar stage has podiums and mass tables which has fine touch of gold shades. the main altar where the hundred old child Jesus made of ivory is placed in the most center part of a tall pure gold plated altar, and on the sides are the paintings of Angels with realistic colors and hues.

on the ceilings are old chandeliers which where i could still remember those were still the same chandeliers 20 years ago when we used to attend a mass in STO. NIÑO CHURCH.

here's a brief history of TACLOBAN's strength. The SANTO NIÑO CHURCH.

Tacloban which came under the patronage of Dulce Nombre de Jesus was founded as a visita by the Jesuits under the jurisdiction of Palo in 1596. Sometime later, Tacloban was entrusted to the parish of Basey in Samar. It cannot yet be ascertained when Tacloban finally became a parish. Certainly, when Tacloban was made as the capital of the province of Leyte in 1768, it could have been a parish for quite a time already. That year Tacloban was turned over by the Jesuits to the Agustinians. In 1804 the secular clergy took over the parish which was later on handed to the Franciscans in 1843. Finally in 1990, the parish was given to the care of the secular clergy.

Early Church structure was made up of Nipa and light materials. It was only in 1860 that a new Church in a Romanesque style was constructed. It had a massive appearance with round-headed arches on small windows. The walls were thick supported by buttresses. It had two belfries and with a top having a four-cornered roof with turrets. This was destroyed by a strong typhoon few years after. When the Church was rebulit, they decided to have only one belfry. A big earthquake during the Japanese time destroyed a large part of the Church. When it was reconstructed in the late 1940's a bigger church was made to accomodate the burgeoning population.

The present structure of the main body of the Church goes back to this time. In 1983, the Church flooring was mounted with marble, a retablo wade of synthetic mirror-like panels was placed on the main altar to enshrine the image of the Sto. Nino, and wooden retablos were placed on the side altars. The belfry had undergone several structural changes until it obtained its present form in 1986. The side-wings expansion in 1988 was a project of Bp. Filomeno bactol.

In 1994, during the time of Msgr. Estanislao Abarca stained glass panels representing the mysteries of the Holy Rosary were put up. Under the care of Msgr. Cesar Petilla, the construction of a new gold-leafed retablo on the main altar and the gold leafing of the side altars were undertaken. This was inaugurated during the Jubilee year on April 15, 2000.

until now, the church, continuously serves it's beloved TACLOBANONs and serves as an inspiration on how God loves his people.

_____________________

WWW.SKYSCRAPERCITY.COM

VISIT TACLOBAN: CALVARY HILL

The 14-station way of the CROSS located at Siren District is another proof of TACLOBANON'S faith to God. every lenten season, this place is crowded with thousands of CATHOLICS who celebrates the passion of CHRIST through the 14 station of the CROSS.

it's cemented stairs eases the pilgrims on going up to the last station where you could see the tall RESURRECTED CHRIST statue.

the complete 14 life-sized stations were made of pure cement and painted white and of some primary colors.

every year, our family went to here on the morning of GOOD FRIDAY, and we could see pilgrims walking in their bare foot in the streets heading to the CALVARY HILL. the whole place is feasted with vendors who sells foods and some religious stuffs. the little boys sells candles and flowers. young and old pilgrims, sung the passion of the Christ.

the topmost statue of the RESURRECTED CHRIST faces the whole city, his arms held high which seems to bless TACLOBAN. some throw money on the statue which has a screen fence and asks for wishes and petitions. also on top you will see the whole city and the SAN JUANICO STRAIT and it's BRIDGE. you may enjoy the beauty and its other side (the squatters who settled near the calvary hill)

you will see some biblical characters who were involved in the passion of the Christ. the whole diorama is life-sized so you could feel it more than it's cement-made faces.

the fresh breeze of the San Juanico Strait will ease the heat that the candles emits and the heat of the sun.

by night, you will see the great candles lighted in the whole area when you are attending the procession of the dead Christ in from Romualdez Street-Rizal Avenue-Avenida Veteranos.

this place is not exclusive for lenten season only, you could go there anytime you want and have a solemn time on remembering Christ's sufferings.

images.travelpod.com

____________________

pictures courtesy of Rhossill Comia

VISIT TACLOBAN: STO NINO SHRINE MUSEUM

who says you could only find castles and dream rooms in EUROPE?

The Santo Niño Shrine, one of the 29 presidential rest houses that the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos had built. There is an Olympic sized swimming pool behind the building.

The entrance to the Santo Niño Shrine. The Santo Niño is at the far end of the entrance. On both sides are a number of guest rooms with various themes.

Santo Niño, a representation of the infant Jesus Christ, is the patron saint of Leyte.

It is located in Real Street, Tacloban City. Paintings of the 14 stations of the Cross done by Filipino artists, wooden bas-relief of the legend of the First Filipino man-woman (Si Malakas at si Maganda); tastefully decorated guestrooms of varied Filipino motifs; image of the Holy Child; a collection of original paintings by Fernando Amorsolo; spacious ballroom; priceless. collector's.

some of the must see things inside are the antiques which was brought from different places. the mirrors, the statues, the furnitures, chandeliers, and the paintings.

13-room first floor has different unique themes that is on both sides and on the center is the magnificent SHRINE, which has religious statues on it. another painting that will attract you most is the family tree of the Romualdezes.

the daughters' room

IMELDA's room

FERDINAND'S room

at the back is the OLYMPIC size swimming pool and a gazebo. and on it's right is a huge LIBRARY and a function area, not just a simple function are, but a HUGE. now known as THE PEOPLE'S CENTER LIBRARY , it could accommodate large concerts and gatherings, and even GRADUATIONS and bazaars. between the two big buildings is an empty grass covered area where you will see the statue of a woman and a man (well, some folks told me it was the malakas at maganda, whose faces were copied from the couple IMELDA and FERNDINAND)

Tacloban City, is the province where the acclaimed MOST BEAUTIFUL FIRST LADY in the Republic of The Phillipines was born and raised. she became an instant celebrity during her husband's tenure in the Philippine Government serving in almost 20 years of Presidency. She lived in the most luxurious quality of living that almost all Filipina envies and was even tagged as a QUEEN.

no wonder that the whole STO NINO SHRINE, it's authenticity and beauty was taken from the owner herself, MADAM IMELDA.

now, it is owned by the city government and serves a simple history. everyone is welcome to visit the shrine and entrance fee is being collected for the EXTRAORDINARY maintenance of an EXTRA BEAUTIFULLY mansion of the MARCOSES.

visit TACLOBAN and enter the mansion of FERDINAND MARCOS.

____________________

WWW.TOURISMINTHEPHILIPPINES.COM

WWW.TRIPADVISOR.COM

WWW.DISCOVER-TACLOBAN.COM