San Bartolome de Malabon - The Mighty Patron of Malabon

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San Bartolome de Malabon
In the historic city of Malabon in Metro Manila, we can find the oldest parish of the city - San Bartolome Parish which is also a prominent historic landmarks and the mother church of all the parishes of Malabon. The parish and its titular patron became silent witnesses to the evolving yet tumultuous history both of the city and the nation.

The image

The centuries old wooden image of San Bartolome de Malabon is a de tallado image of St. Bartholomew the Apsotle stepping on a demon that he captured with his silver chains while holding a book (an allusion to his preaching work) on his right hand and a bolo on his left (usually a flay knife in allusion to his method of martyrdom by being flayed alive).

The statue wears a red vestment and and a yellow cloak, sports long hair, beard, mustache, blue stern eyes and a halo. The image is enthroned at the main altar of the church. 

San Bartolome de Malabon
The life of St. Bartholomew

All that is known of him with certainty is that he is mentioned in the synoptic gospels and Acts as one of the twelve apostles. His name, a patronymic, means "son of Tolomai" and scholars believe he is the same as Nathanael mentioned in John, who says he is from Cana and that Jesus called him an "Israelite...incapable of deceit." The Roman Martyrology says he preached in India and Greater Armenia, where he was flayed and beheaded by King Astyages. Tradition has the place as Abanopolis on the west coast of the Caspian Sea and that he also preached in Mesopotamia, Persia, and Egypt. His Feast Day is celebrated every August 24.

History

The devotion to San Bartolome de Malabon began with its foundation first as a former visita of Tondo, Malabon was founded on May 21, 1599 by the Augustinian Friars. In 1614, it became an independent parish, with Padre Luis Gutierrez as vicar prior. When Padre Diego de Robles became prior of Malabon in 1621, he began the construction of the first stone church a year after. The construction was gradual as additions were made by succeeding priests. The people of Malabon have grown to have a devotion to San Bartolome that he is invoked by the people in their different needs for centuries up to this day.

During World War II, San Bartolome Church suffered heavy damages and restoration began only in 1951 until 1958. San Bartolome Church now has seven bells, two of which are dedicated to Santa Rita and one to San Bartolome. The Church went into numerous developments both in architecture and socio-religious conditions of the city. In celebration of the church's 400th anniversary, the Philippine Postal Corporation issued a limited edition stamp designed by Victorino Serevo. 

San Bartolome de Malabon
San Bartolome and the Katipunan

San Bartolome, who suffered martyrdom by flaying, is considered as the patron of knife makers. Providentially or not, the discovery of Katipunan happened in August, deemed as the red month, when violence was thought to easily ran amok, on the days nearing the feast of San Bartolome. The long bolo called Sang Bartolome was the favorite weapon of Katipuneros and they chose the eve of his feast, on August 23, 1896, to raise the cry of the revolution now known as El Grito de Balintawak, tearing their cedulas and raising their bolos to invoke the blessing of San Bartolome upon them. Moreover, the Katipuneros hurrying to join Bonifacio in Caloocan managed to pass thru the checkpoints of Guardia Civil just by posing as pilgrims of San Bartolome. And thus, the red vestment of the apostle was also the red of the revolution and its popular weapon, the Sang Bartolome. Ironically, the church was plundered by the Revolutionary forces and it became the publishing center of "La Independencia".

The devotion at present

The devotion to San Bartolome is engrained to the history and culture of the CIty of Malabon. His Feast day, August 27 is celebrated with much solemnity and color with the annual Tabak Festival held in his honor. During the said festival, different schools would perform different artistic presentations showcasing the life of San Bartolome and the history of the parish. The festivities end with a solemn procession of the image to his domain in Malabon. We have seen how the people were perpetually grateful for the protection of their patron saint as he became a silent witness to he history of the city and it is manifested in the culture and piety of the people.

Reference

Butler, Alban, Lives of the Saints, TAN Books, USA, 1995.
Brief History of San Bartolome Parish, St. Bartholomew Parish, Malabon City, 2014.
Joaquin, Nick, Almanac for Manileños. Manila: Mr. and Ms. Publications, 1979.

Photos:

Mangahas, Angelo
Aguilar, Yoshi

Interview:

Piolino, Rody

Special thanks to Mr. Rody Piolino for the references as the basis of this blogpost and Mr. Angelo Mangahs and Mr. Yoshi Aguilar for the photographs used in this blogpost. 
+AM+DG+

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