The recent flooding in coastal towns of Bulacan reminded me of a trip we once took to see the Hagonoy, Calumpit and Pulilan churches. The streets got flooded during the day and the place had a fishy smell. But the people looked well-off and the welcome we received was warm.
The province of Bulacan covers a large area. The southern portion has marshlands and coastal waters that make good fish pens.
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| We took two big motorized bancas to a fish pen in the bay. On the way, we passed by boat garages. This is a one-boat garage. |
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| This one houses several boats. The fish pens wre protected by dikes (sadly, made of plastic bags filled with debris). After a sumptuous lunch in the middle of the fish pens, we visited several churches. |
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The National Shrine of St. Anne (Hagonoy Church) was established in 1581 has undergone a lot of reconstruction. (Another sad note: the more prosperous the place, the more reconstructions.)
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Detail of the door.
The altar of St. Anne's Shrine is in pink!
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| The church has museum. A Liber Confirmatorum (Book of Confirmations) on display. |
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| A book where names of those previously baptized in Aglipayan and Protestant churches and who converted to the Catholic Church were listed. |
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| The St. John the Baptist Church is older (built in 1572) and has undergone less reconstruction of the facade. It is a little out of the way and is rumored to have a tunnel under the floor where the Spanish priests kept gold and other treasures. |
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| This is the town where farmers bring their carabaos during the town fiesta to kneel in front of the church. |
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| Younger (and smaller) carabaos being trained to kneel. |
