64. SAN BARTOLOME PARISH CHURCH OF MAGALANG

 

San Bartolome Parish Church, 1963

If you are going to the town proper of Magalang, this structure is one of the revered heritage structures that you aren't must be missed. San Bartolome Parish Church or locally known as pisamban maragul is one of the heritage churches has the Baroque design and architecture. Before this magnificent church was built, the parish itself was established in April 30, 1605 by the Augustinian friars in Macapsa. The town proper was eventually transferred to San Bartolome (now part of Concepcion, Tarlac) in 1734. Due to difficult conditions of the parish brought by natural calamities and underdevelopment, in 1740, the priors of Bacolor and Mexico were asked to pay 20 pesos each while the priors of Candaba and Guagua were also asked to pay 10 pesos for the support of the convent of Magalang. This support was lasted until 1762. 

The new church was built during the administrations of Fr. Martin Mendiguren, OSA (1735), Fr. Manuel Obregon, OSA (1744) and Fr. Agustin Galceran, OSA (1745). In a report by the pastoral visit of  Archbishop Jose Segui, OSA to Magalang in 1831, the structure of the church was made up of wood with a roofing made up of anahaw leaves. In 1858, a large flood swept the whole town due to overflowing of Parua River which brought by the continuous torrential rain. In 1860, a Royal Decree was promulgated, creating the new town of Concepcion composed of barrios of Magalang located on the northern bank of Parua River. Until 1863, the forced evacuation was enforced and Magalang was transferred to the present site. The new town of Concepcion was still spiritually dependent to Magalang until 1866. 

In 1866, Fr. Ramon Sarrionandia, OSA laid the foundations of the new church on the land donated by Don Cristobal Lacson. In 1875, Fr. Baltasar Gamarra, OSA finished the facade and the bell tower. Fr. Fernando Vasquez, OSA laid the finishing touches and installed two large bells casted by Hilario Sunico which they have beautiful tones. In 1892, Fr. Toribio Fanjul, OSA renovated the flooring and the church sacristy. During the revolutionary years, the church particularly the convent was converted into a prison by the revolutionaries. It was there that Spanish prisoners including Fr. Antonio Redondo, OSA the last Augustinian parish priest of San Fernando were incarcerated. In November 5, 1899, the Americans led by Major General Arthur MacArthur (father of Gen. Douglas MacArthur) and Col. Jacob H. Smith (who later implicated in the infamous Balangiga Massacre) captured the town. A brief battle was held within the vicinity of the church which led to its eventual occupation. The 25th Infantry and 41st Infantry of US Army established quarters in the convent until 1901. During Japanese period, the bell tower was made into an observational post by the Japanese and later by the Americans. 

In 1950, the retablo menores were renovated and large images of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, donated by Dr. Andres J. Luciano were installed. In 1952, major renovations of the church were implemented during the administration of Rev. Fr. Pedro N. Magtoto. In 1978, the old convent and the bell tower were renovated during the administration of Rev. Fr. Odon T. Santos. He also installed wooden stations of the cross within the church premises. In 1998, the parish with the generous assistance from Tancungco family initiated the installation of galvanized iron dome on the bell tower. In 2002, Rev. Fr. Raul de los Santos reconstructed the old altar and he initiated renovations on the convent, sacristy and baptistery. In 2007, Rev. Fr. Venancio D. Viray constructed a new covered court and repainted the church. During the incumbency of Rev. Fr. Mario Sol M. Gabriel, he initiated the reconstruction of the old retablo in 2014. He also constructed steel fences around the church, mechanized the old church bells constructed a columbarium and renovated the existing gazebo. He also renovated the Old Catholic Cemetery after decades of neglect and damage. He also initiated the enshrinement of a first class relic of San Bartolome Apostol, the first parish in the Philippines under the patronage of the apostle who received its sacred relic. In 2015, the National Museum of the Philippines bestowed the church as one of the Important Cultural Properties in the Philippines. In 2019, an earthquake struck in Central Luzon resulted in major damages. The bell tower had cracks and the parish decided to suspend indefinitely the ringing of the bells to preserve its structural integrity. 

Photo Credits:

Capagmausuian Qng Aldo Pangasilang ning Magalang, Diciembre 28-29, 1963.  

Sources:

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L., The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015), Manila (2016), National Commission for Culture and the Arts

Dizon Lino L., 2008, Alaya, Kapampangan Research Journal; Juan D. Nepomuceno Center of Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University, Angeles City

63. MAGALANG: MATRIZ DEL PUEBLO OF UPPER PAMPANGA

Map of Magalang with Neighboring Towns c. 1883

When the Augustinians erected the new town of Magalang in April 30, 1605, it comprises the nearly what is composed now the northern towns of Pampanga and southern towns of Tarlac. This geographical feature is known as Upper Pampanga. This area is composed of flat and mountainous terrains and it was snaked by mighty rivers particularly Parua River. Interestingly, due to its huge territory, several towns were established and separated or spiritually aggregated to Magalang. Culled from old documents and journals, here are some towns that are formerly part of Magalang:

MABALACAT- according to La Visita Diocesana de Fr. Jose Segui a los pueblos de Pampanga y Nueva Ecija published in 1831, Mabalacat was mentioned as pueblo anejo de Magalang. It was initially established by the Augustinians in 1680, and later, it was ceded to the Augustinian Recollects in 1712 probably due to lack of development of the mission. Mabalacat was one of the mission centers of the Recollects; and their missions reached to the towns of Bamban, Capas and to the former towns of O'Donnell and Moriones, now part of Tarlac province. In 2012, the town of Mabalacat was converted into a component city of Pampanga. 

CONCEPCION- this town located on southeastern part of Tarlac province, traced back its establishment to 1860. Prior to its creation, a huge flood engulfed the whole town of Magalang due to torrential rains which resulted to the overflowing of Parua River in 1858. Two years later, a Royal Decree was issued ordering the creation of the new town of Concepcion. The new town is composed of barrios of Magalang located in the northern banks of Parua River. The formal creation of the town was only realized in 1863, when the colonial government ordered the transfer of Magalang to the present site known as sitio Talimunduc, part of San Pedro de Malelag or Malele. While the newly created town of Concepcion was transferred to a sitio part of large barrio of Matondo. After the creation and transfer of Concepcion, it was spiritually dependent to Magalang; as evidenced on canonical records of Magalang mentioned as Parroquia de Magalang y la Concepcion. In 1866, Archdiocese of Manila created the parish of Concepcion and appointed Fr. Juan Limonco as first secular parish priest of the town. 

The town of Tarlac (now city) was also mentioned as one of the visitas of Magalang in some time. The parish priest of Magalang, Fray Pedro de Flores, OSA was mentioned as prior both of Magalang and Tarlac in 1686. Another is Fray Martin Fuentes, OSA was also mentioned as prior of the two towns in 1692.

According to the book, The Province of Pampanga and its Towns wrote by Mariano A. Henson, it was mentioned that Magalang had 35 barrios listed in 1853. Several of them are now part of the town of Magalang  like Tinabang, San Ildefonso, and Paligi; while the former barrios of Cabayung Sarul and Malabug are now merely large sitios part of barrio San Ildefonso. Bical was listed as one of the barrios of Magalang according to the 1853 list. It is possible that Bical was ceded to Mabalacat after the transfer of Magalang to the present site around 1860s. In 1888, the people of barrio Buensuceso of  neighboring town of Arayat petitioned the Governor General to separate the barrio from Arayat, and aggregate to nearby town of Magalang. However, the petition was dismissed and instead, the parish priest of Arayat assigned its coadjutor to Buensuceso to administer the spiritual and sacramental needs of the barrio. 

What if, the separation of the towns and barrios from Magalang didn't took place; or some of the nearby barrios allowed to join the town, what is the total land area and population of the town at present?

Photo Credits: 

Mapa de Luzon, Biblioteca Nacional de España; www.bne.es; Retrieved: April 28, 2020. 

Sources:

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L., The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015), Manila (2016), National Commission for Culture and the Arts

Dizon Lino L., 2008, Alaya, Kapampangan Research Journal; Juan D. Nepomuceno Center of Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University, Angeles City

Henson, Mariano A. The Province of Pampanga and its Towns, Angeles City, 1964.

Rodriguez, Isacio and Alvarez, Fernandez; La Visita Diocesana de Fr. Jose Segui a los pueblos de Pampanga y Nueva Ecija, Archivo Agustiano, 2008.

12. DECEMBER 13 OR APRIL 30? THE TWO IMPORTANT DATES OF MAGALANG

Plaza de la Libertad circa 1963

Since we launched the Magalang Book and this blog, the aims of the book and the blog is not only to promote, inform and educate about the rich local history of Magalang, but also it will promote the historical corrections to our local history. Before we launched this two, we noticed that there are so many historical facts about the town are incorrect, forgotten or unwritten by past studies. One of this is the Magalang's foundation date. Here are some bits of explanation regarding the two foundation dates of Magalang:

APRIL 30, 1605- when Augustinians organized pueblos or towns in Pampanga, one of their mechanisms imposed during the pacification of Pampanga is the reduccion system. In this system, all of the fragmented barangays were abolished and their inhabitants were forced to live near to their missions or within the sounds of the church bells or so called bajo de la campana. Magalang was one of the products of reduccion system. When the Augustinian chapter accepted Magalang in April 30, 1605, it was formally organized as pueblo or town placing all the natives under the organized town of Magalo, (old name of Magalang) and its town proper was located in Macapsa. The town is under the administration of the Augustinians and it was placed under the patronage of San Bartolome Apostol. Fr. Gonzalo de Salazar was appointed first pastor. However, Magalang during that time has large vast territory. The former territories of Magalang which includes the present city of Mabalacat, towns of Concepcion, Capas and Bamban and city of Tarlac all located in Tarlac province. Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin noted that some parts of Zambales mountains and the province are also former territories of Magalang. Mabalacat including Bamban and Capas were seperated from Magalang in 1680; but in 1712, they were turned over to the Augustinian Recollects due to underdevelopment. In 1686, Magalang's territory was reduced again when Tarlac was seperated from Magalang. Magalang was transferred to San Bartolome in 1734 due to natural calamities and series of revolts. Its territory was composed of the present towns of Concepcion and Magalang. In 1858, a Royal Decree was promulgated to establish the town of Concepcion, covering the barrios in the northern bank of Parua River. However, in that same year when a large flood struck the town. It was only in 1863 when Concepcion was formally created, and Magalang once again transferred its town proper from San Bartolome to San Pedro Talimunduc. Thus its former town proper, San Bartolome earned its place name as balen melacuan or forsaken town. 

DECEMBER 13, 1863- when the large flood struck Magalang once again, a disagreement rose on the members of the principalia.  The disagreement was ended when Pampanga alcalde mayor Ramon Barroeta issued a decree on December 13, 1863, it formally transferred the town from barrio San Bartolome to San Pedro Talimunduc and laid the foundations of the new town of Concepcion. When Concepcion was created, it is still depending on Magalang's political and religious affairs. That's why in that time, Fr. Ignacio Manzanares, OSA who facilitated the town's transfer was the parish priest of Magalang, and also of Concepcion. Pablo M. Luciano served as gobernadorcillo of Magalang that time, but his authority was still extended to Concepcion. Until 1864, when Concepcion was politically separated; and in 1866, when Concepcion established its own parish. The concept of celebrating this date was only conceived in 1954. The basis of this celebration concept is the Historical and Cultural Life of the Municipality of Magalang in the Province of Pampanga, written in 1954. This write up is an example of Historical Data Papers or HDPs, written by the public school teachers to write the local history of their towns and their barrios way back 1950s. However, due to lack of primary and secondary sources especially archival resources, they only depended on interviews and oral accounts of different prominent persons in Magalang without credible evidences and sources. HDPs are also used as political tool to give emphasis on local personalities or even their families who may appear important but actually are not. HDPs are not regarded by most historians due to lack of documentation and credible sources. The copies of Magalang HDP is still intact in the National Library of the Philippines and even in the school library of Magalang Elementary School. Without historical verification, research or study regarding this date, "Magalang Day" or "Aldo ning Magalang" was formally commemorated. Former president Ramon Magsaysay eventually signed Proclaimation No. 98 series 1954 declaring December 13 as special public holiday in Magalang. It was signed in December 4, 1954. By then, Magalang started to celebrate its "Foundation" day. This date of commemoration was further strengthened when former president Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Proclaimation No. 1805 series 1978 on November 23, 1978 declaring December 13 of every year as "Foundation day" of Magalang. The basis of this proclaimation was based again on HDPs; and the first sentence of this proclaimation stated that town of Magalang, Pampanga was "founded" on December 13, 1863. Until present, this proclaimation was still in effect; thus the town still celebrating this date as their "foundation" day.  It is only an act of Congress or another presidential proclamation issuance will supersede the existing proclamation, if they will wish to change the existing "foundation" date. 

We must remember that Magalang is one of the oldest towns in Pampanga. After the transfer of the town in December 13, 1863, it continued its existence as the original town of Magalang when it was established since April 30, 1605. It took only changes in regards of territory and jurisdiction. But, it didn't changed its political, economic and religious status which possessed the town since it was established in April 30, 1605. Commemoration of foundations of the towns is very important to every towns in Pampanga to showcase their historical and cultural treasures but, the date of the commemoration must be historically correct and must be follow religiously.

It is up now to the Magaleños to judge of what is the exact date will be commemorated; and to be folllow as the true foundation date of Magalang.    

Photo Credit: Capagmasusian Qng Aldo Pangasilang Ning Magalang, 1963

Sources:

Apilado, Digna B. 1999, History from the People; Kasaysayan Mula sa Bayan, Proceedings of the 1998 Centennial Regional Seminar-Workshop Series on Oral and Local History; Volume 16, National Historical Institute and Philippine National Historical Society, Paperchase Printing Services, Quezon City, page 104.

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L., and Dizon Lino L.,2016, The Magalang Book; The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015); National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Manila, page 23.

Dizon Lino L., 2008, Alaya, Kapampangan Research Journal; Juan D. Nepomuceno Center of Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University, Angeles City, page 28.

San Agustin, Fr. Gaspar, Conquistas de la Islas Filipinas 1565-1615, San Agustin Museum, Intramuros, Manila pages 1051, 1099-1100. 

3. MAGALO TO MAGALANG: EVOLUTION OF THE REVERED NAME

Map of Magalang, 1818

Magalang in fact, is one of the oldest towns in Pampanga. It was started as visita of Arayat in December 29, 1598. However, it was separated by the Augustinian chapter in April 30, 1605, with Fr. Gonzalo de Salazar, OSA as the first pastor. According to Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin's Conquistas de la Islas Filipinas, Magalang was initially known as Magalo. This term was derived from the Kapampangan word Galo, means wavy or moving describing the dangerous flows of Parua River. Another term for Magalang is derived from the word respect. According to Fr. Diego Bergaño's Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampangan en Romance, Magalang means abundance; probably due to its rich agricultural industry especially in rice. That's why, there is a old Kapampangan quote "Balamu eca pa mecapangan pale Magalang" for those persons don't give respect to others especially to elders. Other sources indicated that Magalang was sometimes called Magala, Magao and Magalao. When the town was transferred to barrio San Bartolome in 1734, it was then called San Bartolome de Magalang due to the location of the town proper in the barrio and incidentally, the town's patron saint. After its last transfer to sitio Talimunduc in barrio San Pedro, in 1863, Magalang was then called San Pedro de Magalang, after the patron saint of barrio which the new town proper was relocated. However, the Spaniards sometimes they will pronounced Magalan because it lacks the letter Ng in the Spanish alphabet. During the early American period, it was still using Magalan, until in 1930s, it was reverted back to Magalang.

Photo Credits:

Descripcion Geografica y Topografica de la Ysla de Luzon o Nueva Castilla por Don Yldefonso de Aragon.