In time for the 113th Philippine Independence Day this year, I am featuring the iconic and historical Barasoain Church as my photographic and travel subject.  (It would be lovely to discuss the historical aspect, but I decided to delete it.  Please just Google it.)

I have been to Malolos, Bulacan a number of times and I promised myself, I should not miss Barasoain Church, which, historically, was the seat of the first Philippine Constitution. Its historical nature, plus the adjacent museum and church courtyard are, likewise, quite interesting for a hobbyist photographer like me.  In particular, I have an affinity for old and quaint architecture, which makes this place close to my heart.

The first time we went there, I had no time to photograph the interior of the church.  There was an ongoing mass, and, being a Catholic, and as a matter of respect, I think it was inappropriate for me to take photos of the interiors.  So I just knelt down and prayed, instead.

The next time around, the church was closed.  I think they have a specific time to open (something like 3:00 PM or so).  I did not want to lose any chance anymore.  So, while my wards were watching the "Lights and Sound Show" about the Philippine Independence (which I have already watched) I asked around if it was okay to go inside, which led me to one lady directing me to the sacristy.  It was also locked. I knocked on the door (which I later learned, led to the altar) and a sleepy man, obviously roused from a siesta, opened the door for me.

Upon entering, I was quite disappointed because it was dark inside.  Thanks to my cheap but trusty tripod! I just have to take long exposures or make overexposure instead, I thought.  It worked for some, but not for many shots.  Thanks to Lightroom 3.0 which allowed me to tweak on some photos and voila!  I got some relative good photos to share (which were "gathering dust" in my hard disk!).

Photographing inside a dark church at past 1:00 PM was quite challenging. What with the humid, dark, dusty, musty, and seemingly haunted choir loft!?  I was praying to the saints and even to the ghosts not to show up on me, because I was just interested in taking pictures of the church.  Thank heavens, I never captured an apparition!

Another challenge that I encountered is shooting the church facade.  I do not know the reason, but we always get to the place when there are no more blue skies!  Blue skies would have been a postcard-perfect backdrop for this interesting and historical piece of architecture.  I thought that, perhaps, I should be there in the morning, instead, which of course did not happen.  I just hope that I would be able to go to Malolos one of these days--in the morning.

Also, posing a challenge to photographing the church facade are the lamp posts that get in the way of the viewpoint.  Again, I have to find a perfect spot where I can omit from the viewpoint those distracting lamps right in front of the church.  The last time I went there, there was a renovation of the church grounds, and I hope they get to place those lamp posts in more inconspicuous locations.

Most importantly, however, is the fact that I got the chance to capture one of the most important facets of our history as a Filipino people.

Have I captured every nook an cranny of the church?

Not so, but the spirit of Philippine Independence, I did!


From the tablet markers on the church, here are some interesting historical facts:

• The first old church was constructed by Rev. Francisco Royo, OSA, but was destroyed by fire in 1884
• Rebuilt by Rev. Juan Giron, OSA, in 1885
• The seat of the Revolutionary Congress that was convened in from September 1898 to February 1890 under the presidency of Pedro A. Paterno
• The Malolos Constitution, chiefly drafted by Felipe G. Calderon, was enacted by the Congress

The Original copy of the Malolos Constitution, which looks like a small pamphlet, is in the historical archives of the current House of Representatives in Batasan Complex in Quezon City.  Unfortunately, this is not available for viewing.  A photocopy, however, is available in the Barasoain Museum.  I could not take a photo of the said replica since photographing inside the museum was and is prohibited.



If you have a slow internet connection, please see the rest of the photos of Barasoain Church.