An exquisite retablo in Manga church

SOMETIMES the most unique finds are just close by. And it presents itself to you in the most effortless and natural way that you can’t help but be quietly taken by it. I’d say it’s both romantic and real. But that’s just me, finding a gem in my everyday experience.

This is how I discovered a dainty church not far from my parents’ house in Taloto, in the city of my birth, Tagbilaran. It wasn’t even planned, it just happened spontaneously like all the rest of the regular stuff that occur in one’s life. Like love.

Since Bohol is adorned with huge centuries-old Spanish-built churches, I classify this one as a small church, significantly larger than a chapel. Called the Most Holy Trinity Parish, this graceful small church, is in a neighboring coastal barangay that prides itself of operating its own mercado — this became my first memory of Manga when we relocated from the city proper to Taloto in 1974. I wonder if the market keeps a record of its history as well. That will be a jewel!

I found the lovely church by chance. A high school classmate, Gina Lopez Plaza, lost her daughter to illness, and the funeral mass was held there. As I listened to the hymns and ritual of the priest — Father James B. Darunday, my eyes started to wander, deliberately observing the church’s interior, admiring the walls; doors — I have a fetish for doors; the colored glasses above each door depicting biblical scenes; the solid ceiling highlighting the “A” shape of the building, then my eyes settled on the retablo.

I thought, “What’s with this retablo?” “Why does it beckon?” And then it hit me! The whole setup is a fusion of the old and the new: All the rest capture my eyes as a modern construction, possibly space efficient, matched with the right measure of aesthetics, but the retablo draws you back to another place and time — and perhaps if you allow your imagination to drift further, transports you to older, more grandiose churches whose histories remain as mythical as they were when we were kids — and yet, they do not create chaos, they simply blend!

After I have gushed enough, haha, let me tell you the story behind the retablo’s construction. The retablo is a new project — it only started in February 2023 after Father Gerardo “Jingboy” F. Saco, Jr. assumed the post as new parish priest on June 8, 2021.

Conversing with an active member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for church improvement and development, entrepreneur and church volunteer with a keen eye for detail, Janet Dano-Dimayuga, I learned that when Father Saco came to lead the parish, he undertook a needs assessment survey to better respond to the needs of the community. One of the items that came out was the improvement of the retablo.

Thereafter, the TWG began a series of meetings to formulate the plan, develop the concept, secure the diocese’s authorization, and execute the project. As of this writing, the church’s retablo is estimated to cost at P2.2- million upon its completion. The funds came from the parishioners and a generous benefactor.

I look forward to gazing and admiring the whole retablo sans the scaffolding, enveloped in lights, highlighting the intricate works of the Lagura brothers: Jomajear, Emmanuel, J ulanno, Eleazar, Asherlito, and their father, Arsenio Lagura, Jr., of Alburquerque, Bohol.

I was delighted to meet three of the brothers during my Tuesday visit to the church — another treasure. Talents in the arts should always be celebrated especially if they are fellow Boholanos. I already invited two brothers to guest in my talk show. Like they say, “Seize the moment!”

I must say seeing the church for the first time, then visiting once more this week for a much closer look, inspires me to visit the other small churches of Taloto, Ubujan, Booy, and Tiptip, and write about them as well. There’s nothing like community churches — the glue that holds communities together.

I hope they are open to the public anytime daily. Not just for the visits but for the lost souls — individuals — who need comfort and solace and who soulfully find this peace and quiet inside church buildings. There, lost in their thoughts, they can pray, meditate, or simply be still in the presence of a comforting Father.

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The writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City every Saturday, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. She can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./ PN