LAGUNA | Pakil Church

Friday, January 13, 2012

It was almost lunchtime when the sky finally fell. We had to take shelter at the nearest food joint and ate our way through the massive downpour.  We resumed our visita iglesia as the rain abated; next on our list was Laguna’s San Pedro de Alcantara Church or Pakil Church for short.

Like most old churches, Pakil’s own has survived through fires and earthquakes through reconstruction. The structure was initially made from bamboo in 1676 and was later upgraded to a stone church a half century later.

The church houses the Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Turumba (Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba) which was enshrined there in 1788. The oil painting is really quite small, almost bond paper in size and depicts Mary in pain as a dagger pierces through her heart.

It was said that the image was found by fishermen from the boat of shipwrecked missionaries crossing the Laguna de Bay, the icon however was unable to be lifted by the local folks. The parish priest, notified of the incident then gathered his people to fetch the image and as they began lifting, the people started singing and dancing.

It is interesting to note that the word Turumba has been associated with various meanings. Some says that it may have come from the words Turo which means to point and Umbay which denotes slow and sorrowful funeral music. Another popular interpretation is it has been derived from the phrase Natumba sa Tuwa or Trembling in Great Joy which might have reference to the festive dancing that ensued during the image’s transfer to the church.
Pakil Church’s cream-colored façade is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Its intricate Colonial Baroque design seems almost wood-like with its rust-weathered look. Upon closer inspection, one can see that it is really made of stone. Numerous cherubs adorn its walls along with decorative Corinthian columns. And like its neighboring churches of Morong, Baras and Paete, it is also elevated on a series of steps.

Although we were unable to fully photograph its interiors due to an ongoing mass, we can see from afar its ornate retablo filled with fourteen saints of the Franciscan Order. Another noteworthy painting inside is the Judicium Finale (see photo above) which depicts Heaven and Hell by a Paete local named Jose Dans. What’s intriguing about this painting is that Hell is populated only by women while men are on the heavens above, controversial to say the least.

The church is best visited during the Lenten season during the annual Turumba Festival. The commemoration starts during Palm Sunday and ends at Pentecost, during this time thousands of devotees congregate to Pakil to sing and dance to Turumba.


     Pakil Church, San Pedro de Alcantara Parish
     Tavera Street cor. TBR
     Pakil, Laguna
     (049) 557-0211 
     Click to View Location on Google Maps

       PART OF A RIZAL-LAGUNA LOOP DAY TOUR: Morong Church | Baras Church | Pakil Church | Paete Church

       ** Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba Photo from Wikipedia by Chrs Aquino
       ** Judicium Finale painting photograph used with permission from Lisa of Lisaism

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12 comments

  1. Beautiful shots, yet again. We were here just a few days ago, but I didn't get the chance to take photos. :( Ang hirap ng may baby, siya ang subject palagi ng pictures. Haha!

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  2. this is a beautiful church! the brick walls are gorgeous, and yes, the facade is impressive.

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  3. love the different textures of the facade and archways!

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  4. ooh, another church to visit :) Thanks for sharing!

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  5. These photos are so just so beautiful! The church is as equally lovely! I'm really at awe on how you manage to take captivating photos.. :D Thanks for the inspiration!

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  6. love the last picture, live na live, buhay na buhay (tama ba carabao ko?)

    anyway, sir Christian, you're an epitome of "Photography, more fun in the Philippines."

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  7. ang classic ng pakil church sir christian. ganda talaga ng mga photos mo

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  8. One of the most beautiful churches here in the Philippines!

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  9. Lakad Pilipinas sumakay ka naman! = ) Sipag!

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  10. Kimberley Reyes
    Haha I get you :)

    Luna Miranda
    Indeed diba? :)

    MarLiesTravels
    At first glance I thought it was made of sculpted wood :P

    Tin, Sumi Go, Jovial Wanderer
    Thanks! No problem po :)

    Joniphilippines
    Haha ganun? Marami pa pong mas magagaling na photographer sakin :P

    Claire
    Are you from Laguna Claire? I thought you were from Bicol? :)

    Edmar
    The church is just beautiful talaga, kaya madali mapaganda yung picture :)

    Zer
    I agree Zer!

    Joel
    Di bagay sa blog ko pag Sakay Pilipinas haha

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