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

11.AMERICAN OFFICERS WHO SHAPED THE MAGALANG REVOLUTIONARY SCENE

American Units in Unknown Place

Magalang was one of the towns in Pampanga become strongholds of Filipino revolutionaries. One particular reason is the proximity to Mt. Arayat; whom the revolutionaries built their headquarters there especially in historic Camansi. Since the Philippine-American war broke, Americans captured Luzon inch by inch until they reached Pampanga. When Americans captured Angeles and San Fernando, their eyes are pointed out in Magalang. The Kapampangan general, Major General Servillano Aquino set up his defenses in Magalang against the invading Americans. But on November 5, 1899, Americans captured Magalang; General Aquino escaped from his looming capture; later, he ran to Tarlac. After the fall of Tarlac, General Aquino together with his remaining forces, they hid once again in their former fortifications in Camansi. General Aquino didn't give up his resistance despite his comrades are already surrendered to Americans. His fate was happened on May 18, 1901, Americans marched into Camansi and they captured General Aquino. Later, he was sentenced to "hard labor for the remainder of his life", however, he was granted pardon in 1904.

Forty two years after the capture of Magalang by the Americans, the Japanese successfully captured Magalang in January 1, 1942. Then, the guerrilla movement, Hukbalahap was also founded in the same year, and they set up once again their major bases of operations in Camansi in Mt. Arayat. After the fall of Bataan, the combined Filipino-American forces suffered brutalities done by the Japanese. Many of them died in starvation, thirst, sickness and harsh maltreatment. Luckily, some of the American officers escaped and they formed guerrilla units to continue the resistance against the Japanese. Some of them found their sanctuary in Magalang. Incidentally, the second ranking Hukbalahap officer based on Camansi  is also an Aquino. The Magaleño socialist, Eusebio Aquino, or fondly known him as Tatang Bio, Apung Bio or Commander Bio, took care of American officers who sought his sanctuary to escaped from advancing Japanese units. Eusebio Aquino is an old blacksmith who has shop in barrio San Nicolas beside the Pasudeco station. Tatang Bio is also nephew of Major General Servillano Aquino whom he stayed in Camansi before he was captured by the Americans.  Because of his squadrons spread across Magalang, Japanese were unable to capture the whole town itself. Hukbalahaps secured Magalang before the Americans arrived in the town; until it was fully liberated in January 27, 1945.

In this article, here are some famous American military officers who reshaped and give color to the revolutionary scene of Magalang.

MAJOR GENERAL ARTHUR MACARTHUR, JR.- this high ranking officer fondly called him as the "Boy Colonel". After he captured San Fernando, he ordered his large force composed of 4th Cavalry, to march to Magalang from its base in Calulut. He fought fierce battle in barrio San Jose, resulting heavy casualties among Filipino troops. He commanded the major battle against Filipino forces encamped in San Bartolome Church, resulting considerable loss to Filipino force. He also ordered the looting and burning of houses around the town proper. He fought the last position of General Aquino in Masapinit and he successfully captured it. After the capture of Magalang, he proceed to nearby town of Mabalacat. After his military successes around Luzon, he was appointed as the Military Governor of the Philippines. His military supremacy was inherited by his famous son, General Douglas MacArthur, who liberated the Philippines in 1945.

COLONEL JACOB HURD SMITH- this celebrated American officer also known as the "Howling Jake". After the capture of Angeles, he was ordered by his commander, General MacArthur to marched out from Angeles with his large force consists of 17th Infantry, 1st Artillery and Signal Corps to joined him in barrio San Jose to capture Magalang. He fought fierce battles in barrios San Francisco and San Pedro who inflicted losses to revolutionary forces. He also participated in the capture of San Bartolome Church in November 5, 1899. After his stint in Magalang, he was appointed military governor of Pangasinan, Tarlac and Zambales. His vague popularity rose when he ordered his forces to kill and burn the town of Balangiga in Samar. This attack famously known as the Balangiga Massacre. He found guilty by the court martial in relation of the massacre and he was sentenced to be "admonished by the reviewing authority".

BRIGADIER GENERAL FREDERICK DENT GRANT- this American officer was the son of the United States Civil War hero, and former President of the United States, Ulysses Grant. He was assigned in Magalang to led an expedition in Mt. Arayat to fought the remaining forces of General Aquino in December 26- 31, 1900. He implicated heavy losses upon the Filipino forces and they captured valuable documents. After successive attempts to capture General Servillano Aquino, he successfully captured him on May 18, 1901, making General Aquino as one of the remaining Filipino officers who fought against the Americans; after the capture of President Emilio Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela on March 23, 1901.

JULIUS ARNOLD- a black American military musician who belonged to all black American 25th Infantry, also known as the Buffalo soldiers. On January 15, 1900; Arnold attempted to rape a Magaleña, Leonora Salas. But Salas resisted the rape attempt, and Arnold shot her using his service pistol and later died. In 1902, he was found guilty by court martial, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment, dismissal from military service and his salary and benefits were forfeited.

RUSSELL W. VOLCKMANN- an American captain assigned in 11th Infantry together with Major Helmert Duisterhof. His forces was composed of Igorot troops and set up defenses in barrio San Antonio in Magalang. They successfully inflicted heavy losses upon invading Japanese forces, but due to overstretched of war material and personnel, they forced to withdraw from Magalang in January 1, 1942; and the town itself fell on Japanese on the same day. He escaped from Japanese together with his friend, Captain Donald Blackburn and they found sanctuary in Camansi in Mt. Arayat. They welcomed by Eusebio Aquino, a Magaleño and second commanding officer of Hukbalahap. Commander Bio took care of them and he offered Volckmann to become military adviser of Hukbalahap; but he declined. After their brief stay, he and Blackburn reached Northern Luzon and they resumed the command of United States Army Forces in the Philippines- Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) one of the largest guerrilla force in Northern Luzon; who helped the American forces to contain the Japanese forces in Northern Luzon led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita. After their fierce resistance, Yamashita surrendered in September 2, 1945. After the war, he and another guerrilla leader, Wendell Fertig formulated the doctrine of the unconventional warfare of the new US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) whom later he was acknowledged as one of the founders of US Army Special Forces.

DONALD BLACKBURN- an American captain and friend of Capt. Russell W. Volckmann. They evaded Japanese capture and they went in Camansi in Mt. Arayat. He and Volckmann was welcomed by Eusebio Aquino and after they brief stay, they went to Northern Luzon to resume command of United States Army Forces in the Philippines- Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL). He was known for his exploits during the war; remained unknown in general public. After the war, he was appointed commander of Studies and Observation Group of the US Army based in Vietnam.

Source: Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L. The Magalang Book, The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015)

Photo Credit: http://www.riskplaywin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/press-release.jpg

1. NOVEMBER 5, 1899: FALL OF MAGALANG TO AMERICANS

Major General Arthur MacArthur, Jr.

After the capture of barrio Calulut in San Fernando and nearby town of Angeles by the Americans; Major General Servillano Aquino (great grandfather of former president Benigno S. Aquino, III) was pushed to the southern half of Magalang. To capture the town, Major General Arthur MacArthur, Jr. (father of General Douglas MacArthur) ordered his 4th Cavalry to resume their march to Magalang from Calulut. The cavalry was joined by the combined forces of 17th Infantry, 1st Artillery and Signal Corps, led by Colonel Jacob H. Smith (later known for his brutal exploits in Balangiga Massacre) whom they marched out from Angeles. They were able to join the marching 4th Cavalry along Angeles-Magalang road in barrio San Jose. In that day, they fought the forces of General Aquino, and they successfully captured barrio San Jose; with 49 casualties, 15 wounded and took 28 prisoners. 

Major General Servillano A. Aquino

The massive American forces also captured the outpost in barrio San Francisco, with 100 casualties, and they captured 50 prisoners. In the following day, Americans captured the last stronghold of the insurgents in barrio San Pedro until they withdrew in San Bartolome Church. Americans fought a fierce battle on November 5, 1899; and in the afternoon of the same day, Americans finally captured the church and the town proper with 200 casualties on the insurgents' side. Americans also looted the town and they burned all of the houses surrounding the town proper. General Aquino made his last stand in barrio Masapinit (present day barrio San Antonio and probably, Dolores) but they were finally drove by the Americans in November 7, 1899. 

Photo Credits:

Major General Arthur MacArthur: www.wikipedia.com

Major General Servillano Aquino: The Aquinos of Tarlac by Nick Joaquin

Source:

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, pages 44-49.