Nagcarlan, Laguna: Rise from the Dead
- Mar 24, 2017
- 3 min read
PHOTO BY: Christian Lucas Songoyo| Links below.
Waking up at 5:30 am is not enjoyable to anyone but me. As I rose from my flat pillow, I woke up with a sense of purpose. Today is going to be the day that we are moving forward with our plan. I checked my phone and their sitting in my inbox is a message from my partner of 13 years, dread washing over me as I read it. “coding ng 7am”. I rushed down the stairs, packing my stuff as I go along. Somehow, waking up early also meant that I have more time to be slower than my usual sluggishness. He was waiting in front of the house, the car parked right outside the gate. I threw everything at the back of the car and sat next to him. We sped off onto our first stop…Nagcarlan, Laguna.
The ride was completely serene as we are finally embarking on our long over due plan to start a blog. With our gears on the back and our mindset already set, we reached our destination in less than 3 hrs. Traffic wasn’t that bad seeing that we left in the wee hours of the morning. We reached the quaint town of Nagcarlan, Laguna at 9am. It was buzzing with life as the townspeople went along their daily chores and errands. We passed by the Municipal Hall and with its grand façade the community managed to preserve the Spanish influences on its walls.
We arrived in the cemetery in no time. He parked Chu right in front of the museum. I got down and brought the essential gadgets with me.
We walked towards the tourism office and with a warm smile we met our guide Jane. She is a petite woman with short hair and a toothy grin. She welcomed us with no hesitation.
PHOTO BY: Sarah Jane Estubo
She led us to the entrance of the cemetery. The grass was manicured and the outdoor tombs were at the edges of the circular garden.
The rustic arch of the entryway going to the chapel which was once formidable now bears time's abuse and weariness, an undeniable history waiting to be told.
Jane opened the door to the chapel. I followed her inside and there sitting in the far center of the altar was an antique crucifix enduring centuries of prayers for the dead.
PHOTO BY: Sarah Jane Estubo
The murals on the ceiling were lightly peeling, restoration were to no avail. The tiled floors which originated from Mexico, are still remarkably beautiful.
PHOTO BY: Sarah Jane Estubo
They have withstood wars and revolutions, delicate paintings marked its elegance at the time of grief and despair.
We went downstairs towards the crypt beneath the chapel. The musty smell of old wood and brick thickens the cold air as we descended with each step. The sense of solemnity engulfs us the moment we reached the bottom of the stairs. Light emanating from a tiny window on the far corner of the basement, we walked towards the centre of the mausoleum.
Founded by Fr. Vicente Velloc, The cemetery was established in 1845 at the foot of Mt. San Cristobal. It was built away from the town’s center which was unusual at that time. It served as a public resting place for the townspeople while the underground chamber below the chapel housed the remains of Spanish friars and prominent members of the community.
Photo by: Renz Gañola
I took a deep breath as the yellow lights glows softly from the chandelier hanging 8ft off the ground. I looked around me, reading the names of the departed, imagining what life was like hundreds of years ago
Jane gave us a tour of the crypt. sharing it's rich history with every step.
"Katipunero's used to take refuge from Spanish captors in this crypt." She continued as we glance at the names of the epitaphs one last time.
Right after the tour of the chapel and the underground cemetery, she led us to the museum right next to the tourism office. We had a dynamic discussion about the history of Nagcarlan and the politics between Katipuneros.
The tour ended with wistful goodbyes ending the meeting of like minded people. Self realizations were made of how far we have come as Filipinos. This experience surely gave us insights of Nagcarlan NOW and in the 1800's. A glimpse of our past foretelling a promise of a brighter future.
This town has truly risen from the dead.
See next post: San Bartolome Apostol Church
Photo credits: Renz Ganola, Sarah Jane Estubo, and Christian Lucas Sangoyo
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