Historical Background of Saint John the Baptist Parish Church

of Tabaco City, Albay

A Case Study submitted to Catholic Central School of Tabaco, Albay Inc.

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for Discipline and Ideas in Social

Sciences

Prepared by:

Marl Louell Baria

Mikaela Marie Dela Cruz

11-TRUST

Submitted to:

Mr.Bonifacio B. Cana
 Teacher

March 2019
INTRODUCTION

“Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints”- Pauline Phillips.
History is define as the chronological record of a significant events often
including an explanation of their causes. Tabaco, officially the City of Tabaco,
or simply referred to as the 4th class city in the province of Albay, Philippines.
According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 133,868 people. It is one
of the 3 components of the province, along with Legaspi City and Ligao City.
The main land part of the city is bordered by the town of Malinao to the North,
the town of Polangui and Oas to the west, Ligao City to the southwest,
Malilipot town to the southeast and Lagonoy Gulf to the east. The symmetric
Mayon Volcano, the most active Volcano in the Philippines, lies south of the
city. Tabaco is the 1 of the 8 towns and cities that share jurisdiction on the
Volcano, dividing the peak like slices of a pie when viewed from above. The
island of San Miguel, the western most of the 4 islands in the Lagonoy Gulf,
falls under the jurisdiction of Tabaco. 5 of the barangays of the city are located
on the island for the total of 47 barangays composing the city. Tabaco City was
founded in year 1731.

St. John the Baptist Parish Church lies on Tabaco City. The St. John the
Baptist Parish Church commonly known as Tabaco Church, is a Roman
Catholic Church under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of
Legazpi. The Church of Tabaco was founded by the Franciscan Friars under
the advocacy of St. John the Baptist and became an independent Parish in
1616. It was also declared a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines. The
architectural type of St. John the Baptist Parish Church is a Church building.
The style of it is based on the Baroque Period. The present parish priest of St.
John the Baptist Church is Rev. Fr. Eduardo Bellen. The tower is the belfry of
the St. John the Baptist Parish Church, or commonly known as “Daculang
Simbahan” (Big Church)
 According to the National Historical Institute (NHI), the church, a classic
Earthquake Baroque structure was erected under the pastorship of Fr. Fermin
Llorente who was a priest, an engineer, and soldier. Built from 1864 to 1879,
the Tabaco Church is made of adobe blocks held together by molasses.

Another interesting feature is the carving in the belfry of a person

resembling that of a native royalty or datu, side by side with the likeness of the
King of Spain. There are many speculations about what this image might mean.
A popular interpretation is that it symbolizes the Spaniards’ high regard toward
the local pre-Hispanic government. Very rare in Philippine church
embellishments, this make the Tabaco church a National Cultural treasure.
Features of the church is built out of dark volcanic soil and stones found in the
area. One unusual characteristic of the church is the presence of mason's
marks on stones used for the construction of the church building, a rare feature
in the Philippines.Its unusual floor plan contains compartments for which there
is currently no explanation. It is known for its beautiful and bell tower
embedded with rococo designs. Albay Governor Joey Sarte
Salceda allotted ₱ 35 million for the rehabilitation of the historical and cultural
heritage sites in the province including the Tabaco church.
FIGURE 1: Geographical Location Of Barangay Oson, Tabaco
City,Albay
Sources: Google Maps
FIGURE 2: Tabaco City Official Logo

Sources:TABACOCITY.COM.PH
FIGURE 3:
PRESENTATION OF THE DATA

The diocese was erected in 1951, carved from territory of the Archdiocese
of Cáceres, to which it is a suffragan. In 1974, the diocese was partitioned to
form the Diocese of Virac. St. John the Baptist Parish Church is a Roman
Catholic Church under the jurisdiction or of the Roman Catholic Diocese of
Legazpi. The church of Tabaco was founded by the Franciscan Friars under
the advocacy of St. John the Baptist and became an independent Parish in
1616 together with the Church in Legazpi City which is the San Gregorio
Church.