St. James the Apostle Church in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga
In 2009, the National Museum installed a marker proclaiming the St. James the Apostle church in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga as a national cultural treasure. This prompted us to visit the Church in 2010. From Bacolor Church, we passed by this Baroque-inspired Church that never fails to captivate a person with its architecture and artwork. My eyes feasted on this “heavenly bliss” on earth.
The retablo, a classic altar, is ornately decorated with carved designs. The religious frescoes in the ceiling and murals on the wall with its intricate sculpture and paintings in gold dust are reminiscent of the Renaissance age of European Art. One can behold the majesty of its ceiling, walls and the altar from the aisle near the main door. There are paintings and murals of the Holy Family, selected Biblical scenes, Catholic saints and cherubs. No wonder, it is dubbed as “the Sistine Chapel” of the Philippines.
The retablo, a classic altar, is ornately decorated with carved designs. The religious frescoes in the ceiling and murals on the wall with its intricate sculpture and paintings in gold dust are reminiscent of the Renaissance age of European Art. One can behold the majesty of its ceiling, walls and the altar from the aisle near the main door. There are paintings and murals of the Holy Family, selected Biblical scenes, Catholic saints and cherubs. No wonder, it is dubbed as “the Sistine Chapel” of the Philippines.
Betis is used to be a town before it was merged with other sitios now forming Guagua. The church was built by Augustinian priests from 1660 to 1670. The initial structure was composed of wooden materials. However, the Church was destroyed by several fires, which justified the consequent use of non-combustible concrete materials in 1770.
The artworks of the interior were extensively done in 1939 under the last Spanish friar who served as parish priest, Fr. Santiago Blanco, OSA. Native painter Macario Ligon was later commissioned to paint the ceiling of the church. Later in the 1970s, Ligon's assistant and nephew Victor Ramos restored 80 percent of the ceiling and mural paintings. The floor of the Church is remarkably made of tough native wood.
A museum (Museo Ning Betis) stands on the right side of the Church which shows some vintage photos and history of the Church. However, I do not find it very satisfactory. They must try to improve the museum as part of the cultural heritage of the Archdiocese of San Fernando and of the Philippines.
The artworks of the interior were extensively done in 1939 under the last Spanish friar who served as parish priest, Fr. Santiago Blanco, OSA. Native painter Macario Ligon was later commissioned to paint the ceiling of the church. Later in the 1970s, Ligon's assistant and nephew Victor Ramos restored 80 percent of the ceiling and mural paintings. The floor of the Church is remarkably made of tough native wood.
A museum (Museo Ning Betis) stands on the right side of the Church which shows some vintage photos and history of the Church. However, I do not find it very satisfactory. They must try to improve the museum as part of the cultural heritage of the Archdiocese of San Fernando and of the Philippines.
Outside, sculptures could be found including the monuments of Santiago de Galicia, St. Joseph the Carpenter and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Also in front of the church is the Betis Artesian Well known to be the oldest deep well in the province.
We were not able to stay longer because of time constraints. We left this beautiful Church with prayers and happy hearts.
Sources:
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 07/25/2009
Betis Church, our own 'Sistine Chapel' by Anna Valmero INQUIRER.net
We were not able to stay longer because of time constraints. We left this beautiful Church with prayers and happy hearts.
Sources:
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 07/25/2009
Betis Church, our own 'Sistine Chapel' by Anna Valmero INQUIRER.net
