4 CHURCHES: VISITING THE BAMBOO ORGAN CHURCH; ST. JOSEPH CHURCH OF LAS PIÑAS



Padre Diego Cera Monument.
Every student should know or heard about of the Bamboo Organ. I remember it printed on elementary textbooks, though I’m not sure which subject but the appearance of this organ always painted on my mind. Hence during Visita Iglesia, I choose St. Joseph Church in Las Piñas should be part of the seven churches series.

Padre Diego Cera began working of this world famous organ in 1816, while the stone church was still under construction. He gathered bamboo poles then buried into the beach sand for one whole year for preservation against termites.  Through the help of local community, Padre Cera began building the organ. It was then completed in 1824 and first of its kind in the country and the whole world to have this unique musical instruments made of bamboo and metal pipes. In more than 60 years of heavenly music, the Bamboo Organ wrought by three earthquakes which totally damaged the organ. Then it was sent to Germany for restoration and brought back in the country on March 13, 1975.


In front of St. Joseph Church.



St. Joseph Church (famously known as the Bamboo Organ of Las Piñas) is the second stop to complete the seven churches series. After my prayer I went straight to church museum at the old convent house where the famous organ is up close and other historical instruments. There is an entrance fee of P100 for 20 minutes tour. There you can see all the preserved materials in the history of the town of Las Piñas. It brought back the memory when I first time visited the museum of the Baclayon Church in Bohol where most of the churches' apparatus found.


Chair used by Pade Cega during his masses.


The World Famous Bamboo Organ, Bamboo Pipes.


Here the Metal Pipes.


View from the Balcony, inside St. Joseph Church.
Original Chandelier.
One of the Chandeliers, the only one left after huge earthquakes devastated the whole stone church. This chandelier is placed inside the museum and still lighting.


In front of St. Joseph Church, Las Piñas
Las Piñas Bamboo Church is among the popular destination in Metro Manila because of its world famous organ. Most of the people visited here during Holy Week season. As of this writing, The Bamboo Organ is still working played by experience organist. The Bamboo Organ Music Festival is said to be the oldest and the longest music festival in the country held every February. So I should go back to Las Piñas to witness the crowd and proud Bamboo Festival.


The Bamboo Organ is located at the P. Diego Cera Avenue, Brgy. Daniel Fajardo, Las Piñas City, Philippines 1744. It is accessible if you’re coming from the South via Alabang Zapote Road and North via Mall of Asia Jeep Terminal.                                                                                                                                     Website: www.bambooorgan.org                      
Contact: (02) 820-5454



4 COMMENTS:

Joy said...

So nice to see this famous place and to know the history!
I would love to hear this bamboo organ being played!

Ervin of Schadow1 Expeditions said...

So glad to see you cover this part of the world where I called home for 11 years and harnessed my youth.

Unknown said...

I would love to Ms. Joy! Kaso when I was there, the Organist unfortunately out of the country and he is the only person that could play it. Should visit on February for The Bamboo Festival! :)

Unknown said...

Hey Ervin, my pleasure Idol. Been longing to see this majestic Bamboo Organ right before my eyes. This Organ has been part of my education, I left school elementary til college and the organ still pictured on my mind. And I was really amazed, sad though wasn't able to hear how and what's the sound. Should visit this February. :)

Popular posts

 

THEKIDWANDERER Copyright © 2011 - |- Template created by O Pregador - |- Powered by Blogger Templates