Barrientos-Local Feature

SMAP: A Place of Hope and History

For times when we have been knocked down by life's struggles, challenges, and crises.
Well, we cannot just complain about it; we have to get up and get moving, believing that our
determination and hard work will be rewarded. When things get bad and we don't have the
courage to face them, we turn to hope. Some people go to their closest friends; some go to their
family; but most people tend to go to churches to talk to God. In Bacoor City, stands the oldest
church in the city, named St. Michael the Archangel Parish (SMAP), also known as the Bacoor
Church, where hope is harnessed and faith is nurtured.

             Did you know that when this establishment was first built, the materials were only
bamboo, straws, and nipa leaves? It was during Fr. Mariano Gomez’s tenure that the church
was reconstructed, which was originally recognized as the oldest church in Cavite, from 1824 to
1872 (48 years), with the current architectural construction composed of adobe and tegula. In
the absence of contemporary concrete cement mix, hundreds of duck egg whites were used to
connect the massive adobe boulders. Here's an interesting historical fact: Bacoor Church is
affiliated with a historical figure who played a role in the resurgence of Filipino nationalism
during the Spanish colonial era. This historical figure is Fr. Mariano Gomez. When first
introduced, he was the parish priest of Bacoor Church. Fr. Jose Burgos and Mr. Jacinto Zamora
were wrongly accused of treason, sedition, and involvement in the attempted rebellion in Cavite.
On February 17, 1872, they were sentenced to death by garrote at Bagumbayan Field (now
Luneta). The three became known as GOMBURZA and served as an inspiration to a new
generation of Filipino patriots.

         Nowadays, in these present times, this sacred place is also being appreciated by
many. This place is always full of cheerful people who want to praise and hear the gospel.
When the calendar flips its page to December, the church is getting ready for the nine
consecutive days to attend the Misa de Aguinaldo with the belief that if they attend the masses
completely, they will be granted a wish by the Lord. However, it is also important to mention that
people do not only attend to receive something; they also try their best to show their love and
faith in the Lord. Intangibles such as history and hope abound in the area. Let us not forget and
may we continue to bear in mind that, in the instance that this church is not built, hope and
history can always be found in some places or people.