For first time, exhibit on local churches shown in PH | ABS-CBN

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For first time, exhibit on local churches shown in PH

For first time, exhibit on local churches shown in PH

Joko Magalong

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(From left) Photographer and administrative and operations officer of the Ortigas Foundation, Inc. Beatriz Lalana; exhibit designers Giselle Kasilag and Susan De Guzman of Project Art, Inc.; photographer and Ortigas Holdings, Inc. head of administrative services Lino Arboleda; and curator and Ortigas Foundation executive director John Silva.Jeeves de Veyra, Contributor

MANILA -- Philippine churches take center stage at the exhibit "The Church of the Philippines: Our Lasting Links with Spain" which is currently on display at the Casa Candaba of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan.

“We started with the book, the 'La Casa de Dios,' and the Spanish ambassador was given a copy, and he liked it so much," recalled Beatriz Lalana, one of the photographers of the exhibit, during the exhibit's recent launch.

“We originally wanted to put it up in Rome, but he said, 'Why not in Spain?”

Previously shown in Madrid two years ago, the well-received exhibit aims to showcase not only the beauty of Philippine churches, but also to introduce the Spanish youth to its old colony, the Philippines.

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“The young people [in Spain] now are not aware that the Philippines was one of their old colonies. Many of them were fascinated that the structures were still there, that it stood the test of time,” Lalana noted.

A guest looks at the photographs on exhibit. Jeeves de Veyra, Contributor

Most of what’s on display are from the Ortigas Foundation’s archival documentation of Philippine churches, photographed by Lalana and Lino Arboleda. The project was spearheaded by the late philanthropist Rafael Ortigas Jr.

This run in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar will mark the first time that the photos will be on display in the Philippines. This time around, the exhibit is geared towards a new target audience — Filipinos, Filipino-Americans, balikbayans and tourists that visit the 400-hectare heritage resort.

Focusing on Spanish-era churches built in the 16th to the 19th century, visitors will find photographs of well-known churches like the Baclayon Church in Bohol, and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu, as well as lesser known gems like the Moorish-inspired Church of St. Matthias in Isabela.

The photos not only concentrated on their façades, as magnificent altars and interesting nooks and crannies of the churches were highlighted as well.

Guests look at the photographs on display. Jeeves de Veyra, Contributor

An intriguing facet to the collection is the section about how churches played a role in Philippine history, with some panels dedicated to the Barasoain Church in Malolos, and even one on the assassination of Governor General Bustamante and the church’s alleged involvement.

One of the more poignant parts of the exhibit, meanwhile, is a photo display of Bohol and Cebu churches before and after the deadly quake in 2013, displayed side-by-side.

And as a special treat and a nod to its current location, churches found in Bataan also received its own section in the exhibit.

“Pumunta ka sa Europe pinagmamalaki nila 'yung heritage [nila], bawal galawin. Sinasabi nilang, amin ito. Heritage kasi pagaari ng community, kahit ako hindi naman ako ang may-ari ng heritage na ito, tayong Pilipino ang may-ari nito. It just so happens na ako lang nagbuo. Di ba? Kung pumunta ka sa ibang bansa malulungkot ka, kasi sila meron, tayo wala, so let’s start,” said Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar visionary Jerry Acuzar when asked why he wants to have exhibits like this in the heritage park.

Curator John Silva gives an explanation about the exhibit. Jeeves de Veyra, Contributor

While history has been enjoying renewed popularity, thanks in part to movies like "Heneral Luna" and places like Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, the Philippines still has a long way to go in making for more Filipinos appreciate and value the country’s unique heritage and history. Certainly, exhibits like "The Church of the Philippines: Our Lasting Links with Spain" will help in this pursuit.

Curator John Silva, executive director of the Ortigas Foundation, said it best when he declared while touring visitors around the exhibit: “We have to realize why history is still very important."

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