Pintakasi

Blessed Takayama Ukon Monument in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila In the streets of Paco, Manila where industrialization and urbanization is evident and fast growing in this district. One might sight an unusual statue in Plaza Dilao near the abandoned old station of Philippine National Railways that dominates the plaza. Most people wonder who is this Japanese samurai standing in the middle of the Plaza and most seems to care for his identity. But for the knowledgeable faithful, he is the holy and admirable Samurai who gave his prestige as a daimyo to become a follower of Jesus Christ. Life of a Daimyo Takayama Ukonwas born to be the heir of Takayama Tomoteru, the lord of Sawa Castle in the Yamato Province. He had one sister and two brothers. His name as a child was Hikogorō (彦五郎). At the age of 12 in 1564, his father converted to Catholicism and Hikogorō was also baptized as Justo. After his coming-of-age ceremony, Hikogorō was named Shigetomo (重友). However, he is better known as

Sta. Ursula de Binangonan In the peaceful town of Binangonan, Rizal where a serene atmosphere of the mountains can be seen, lies a Church dedicated to a Ancient Princess-martyr of the Chruch and later to be known as the Patroness of Binangonan, Rizal - Santa Ursula. The People seek her powerful intercession to guide and protect her chosen town and she in turn help them in their needs and grants protection to her people, especially during the wave of calamities that comes along the way. The image Apparently, there were two venerated images of St. Ursula in Binangonan, one located in the Parish made of wood and other one was made of Ivory that is being used for processions and her Pagoda. The wooden image of Santa Ursula is an intricately carved image wearing green and red vestments and holds a banner. On the other hand, the processional image is made of Ivory and it was meant to be vested, wearing a tiara to signify her life as a princess, What was unique to these images is that t

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, Reina de Caracol In the area of Rosario, Cavite where the noise of the suburbs is all over and traffic is somewhat inevitable, there lies the parish of the town, that is the center of their lives and pilgrimages. That parish, the Parish of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary enshrines the centuries old miraculous icon of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, Reina de Caracol. The Virgin of the Rosary in Rosario, Cavite is noted for its colorful tradition of Caracol that draws thousands to millions of devotees from the surrounding towns of Cavite up to Metro Manila and other areas around the country. The image The icon  of the Lady of the Most Holy Rosary dons the typical colors of blue and red, sitting on the clouds and holding in her left arm, she carries the Infant Jesus and in her right hand, the cross of a 15 decade Rosary. The Infant Jesus is garbed in a light blue attire. In his right hand he holds a globe with a cross on top symbolizi

Santo Niño, El Capitán General Within the streets of Plaza del Carmen of Quiapo, Manila where the beautiful all steel Minor Basilica of San Sebastian stands today enshrines two of the most important venerated images that enjoys lavish devotion and Fiesta celebrations of old, the Centuries old Canonically Crowned image of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, a gift from the Discalced Carmelites of Mexico and a centuries old image of the Santo Niño, that was later to be known as the El Capitan General. The Title For those who are wondering what does the title "Capitan General" means, the Capitan General is the ruler of the Spanish colony in representation of the King of Spain and the highest government position in the Spanish Colony. With this in mind, it seems that the Child Jesus is the Ruler of All Nations in representation of Our God Almighty, given the prerogative of being the only begotten Son of Our Creator. The image The image of the El Capitan is that of a 2ft. wood

Santo Niño de Romblon In the quiet island province of Romblon, there lies the Cathedral- Parish dedicated to St. Joseph, Spouse of Our Lady. In this centuries old Cathedral enshrines the King and Treasure of the province - the Señor Santo Niño de Romblon.  If Cebuanos have their revered Sto. Niño de Cebu who is honored with the festive Sinulog, the people of Romblon province also have an ancient image of the Holy Child—the Sto. Niño de Romblon—which has been an object of veneration for many generations. This miraculous image of the Child Jesus for centuries became part and parcel of the lives of the people of Romblon and it was a great loss of the people when the image was sacrilegiously stolen and after two decades, his return was a grand celebration of the province - this proves the fervent devotion and affection to their beloved King. Close up details of the image The image The image of the Santo Niño de Romblon is that of a carved wooden image meant to be vested. The

The present image of Nuestra Señora de la Buena Hora of Quiapo Once upon a time, during the peak of Old Manila grandeur, in the area of Quiapo where the iconic Quiapo Church stands today, there was once a flourishing Marian devotion that was fostered in the confines of the same church where the Black Nazarene is fervently venerated – the revered image of Nuestra Señora de Buena Hora still missing up to the present. However, in recent years, there was a renewed interest to revive the devotion to the Blessed Virgin under this particular sobriquet so that our present generation could venerate the Virgin of the Good Hour. The origin of the devotion Nossa Senhora de Boa Hora in Matosinhos, Portugal and Brazil The devotion to Nuestra Señora da la Buena Hora derives from one of the popular devotions of Our Lady in Portugal, known as Nossa Senhora da Boa Hora, and considered one of the most popular and important in that country, along with the Nossa Senhora de Nazarre and Our Lady of Fatima.