RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Student: Richard D.L. Rodriguez

Professor: Propesor: Dr. Vic C. Villan
Date: 10 October 2018

I. Title:

The Image of the Our Lady of Cainta as a Representation of the Filipino Society

II. Introduction:

The people of Cainta, with the image of Mary that is liturgically known in the Catholic tradition as
the Our Lady of Light (painted by national artist Fernando Amorsolo and enshrined in the historical and
oldest Church in Cainta) is about to have a momentous occasion on December 8 this year – the canonical
coronation of a Catholic image of Mary. This canonical coronation marks a significance not only to the
religious dimensions of a Catholic image, much, it is an affirmation of an artistic and cultural importance,
which is the focus of this study.

With an almost half-a century image of the Our Lady of Light or maybe referred to as the Our Lady
of Cainta, having a symbolic pivotal socio-cultural role in the entire cultural performance of the canonical
coronation, this study aims to:

(a) … create a narrative of a particular Filipino cultural practice (based from the canonical
coronation of the image) using ‘Performance Theory’ by Richard Schechner as perspective and

(b) … show how the localization (in the lenses of ‘Sikolohiyang Pilipino’ and the concept of ‘Filipino
Weltaschauung’ in Visual Arts) and appropriation processes (using post-colonial approach in the lenses of
Priscelina Patajo-Legasto and Caroline Hau) occurs in the Catholic religion by the people of Cainta.

III. Assumptions/ Hypothesis

The on-going preparations that the people of Cainta regarding the canonical coronation
spearheaded by the parish, is a ‘performance of culture’ full of meaningful symbols, with the image of the
Our Lady of Cainta as central element, while they are ‘localizing’ and ‘appropriating’ the Catholic faith and
make sense into their daily lives.

IV. Questions and Objectives

Central Question General Objectives

How does the image of the Our Lady of Cainta To evaluate the role that the Image of the Our
plays a central role in a cultural performance of Lady of Cainta plays as central element in a
the people of Cainta and in the localization and cultural performance of the people of Cainta.
appropriation of their Catholic religious belief?

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Sub-Questions Specific Objectives

What are the Filipino/ local artistic characteristics, To provide a technical and detailed description in
both unique and common that the Image of the the perspective of the arts, the Filipino/ local
Our Lady of Cainta has? characteristics of the image of the Our Lady of
Cainta.

What is the historical background of the image of To narrate the history of the image of the Our Lady
the Our Lady of Cainta? of Cainta and how did it arrive into the possession
of the parish and the people of Cainta.

What are the different preparations that the To discuss the different activities that the parish
parish and the local community are doing in and the community are doing as a preparation for
preparation for the canonical coronation of the the canonical coronation of the image of the Our
image of the Our Lady of Cainta? Lady of Cainta.

What are the personal stories of the locals about To narrate at least three personal religious
their devotion to the Our Lady of Cainta through experiences of the people (case studies) regarding
its painted image? their devotion to the Our Lady of Cainta through
its painted image.