Alay sa Mahal na Poong San Jose

Looking at this stampita-like photo above, one is by the glorious and fatherly gaze of St Joseph. This is actually the photo of the statue of St Joseph and the Holy Child which is located at the main altar of Gagalangin Church.

A few weeks ago, as we did our family shopping, I saw a little boy with long curly brown hair and blue eyes.  He was staring at me and later at Chiara.  I suddenly remembered the Holy Child in that church where I was baptized. I told this to Allan Dabu during one of our chats in Facebook. He told me that the Holy Child wants me to go home and visit Him.

Allan later recalled his visit to Manila this March.  The statue is in a sad state.  Ensconced ("Nakakulong" was Allan's exact description) in an urn made of glass, it has not been brought down for ages - even during town fiesta for the traditional prusisyon.   The statue has been damaged and parish leaders thought it best not to taken it down lest the damage gets worse.  Allan told Mang Mandy Cabarloc, the Sacristan Mayor, that the statue would deteriorate further because of the heat (I call it glasshouse effect!).  For Allan, proper restoration is needed asap.  Unfortunately,  as my good friend wrote "it seems that nobody is paying attention".

Just to give you an idea, here's a photo taken in last year's Fiesta celebration.  To your right you'll partially see a replica statue of St Joseph - this is now being used during processions.  The original is on the retablo just above the tabernacle and beneath the huge crucifix (partially seen).

Since its early beginnings, perhaps when Gagalangin was still a visita, our community already had this statue.  One priest once jokingly asked why our St Joseph was punggok (midget).  Small as the statue may be, it is a precious gem, a silent witness to Gagalangin's highs and lows.  So much so that when the parish had a bigger church in the late 50s, the statue was never changed!

To hear that this treasure is endangered is quite disturbing.  The desecration of La Muerte de San Jose (Death of St Joseph) statue way back in 1997 was something that cut a number of parishioners to the heart.  Ditto what happened to the statue of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in 2003.  Although it would be impossible for thieves to lay their hands on the original statue, still the need to look after it is very important.  I add my voice to that of Allan's.  Restore the statue to its former glory!

Preserving or, in the case of our Patron's statue, restoring it and other similar valuable objects ensures that we have something to pass on to our children and our children's children.  Othewise, our claim as parishioners/members of mandated organizations/devotees of St Joseph/etc. would be a farce. We are not far from the Israelites of old who live in beautiful houses while the Ark of the Covenant resided in a tent during the time of King David!

The Parish really needs to take the statue's condition seriously.  A fund raising to restore the statue is a step forward.  Another that comes to my mind, again and again, is the setting up a Cultural Heritage Committee which will spearhead activities that aims at preserving and enriching events, customs and traditions, and protects treasures (e.g. buildings, statues, etc.). This Committee can be complemented by a Gagalangin Historical Society which encompasses other aspects of our town outside the confines of religion.

During fiestas, we traditionally decorate streets with arches and banderitas. On these arches, there's an inscription which states Alay sa Mahal na Poong San Jose (This is offered to St Joseph).  Let's have a heart for our Patron, to whom we frequently pray "kami nawa'y laging kupkupin ng langit" (May we always be protected by heaven).

Maligayang pista, Gagalangin! Mabuhay si San Jose!

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Words couldn't express my disgust at how Erap got elected as Mayor of the (once) ever loyal and distinguished City of Manila.  (Fellow Gagalanginenos in Facebook were cursing!)It wasn't that long ago when he was booted out of power, tried, and found guilty.  Although I respect the voice of the people - badly informed as it may be- I just feel how people never learn from the past. That we have lost the sense of sin or the sense of justice.   That we have settled with the Puwede na yan mentality. 

I am also aghast with the likes of the unrepentant Marcoses being back into power as well as those candidates who don't have the qualification to be elected in a particular post. Take for example Nancy Binay, a 20 year old OJT, who obviously rode on the political cloud, I meant clout of her politician parents. Look too at the Ejercito half-brothers having seats at the upper chamber.  Has public service become a family business?

George Santayana once said "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it".  History and heritage go hand-in-hand.  If we don't value both, we'll surely lose the soul of the nation.  We'll go to the dogs!