2nd GMM "Corinthian Lakaran: Heritage Tour of Pampanga and Bataan"

The day started early for Corinthian Members last August 31, 2013, as 49 members and guests assembled at the parking area of CW Balintawak Home Depot from 6:00 am to 7:30 am.  We were en-route to the famous San Guillermo Church in Bacolor, Pampanga after making a quick stop for breakfast at NLEX.

We arrived at the church around 10:00 am and toured the Interiors and the Bacolor Museum that houses the Church Collections of Religious Icons, Models, Paintings and Pictures of the original 12 meter facade of the Church.  San Guillermo is famous for its history.  Half of the Church was buried in Lahar during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, September of 1991.  The people of Bacolor still uses what's left of the structure after unearthing and relocating the original Baroque inspired Retablo.

We then moved to the neigboring town of Betis in Guagua to visit the Paris of St. James de Apostle popularly known as Betis Church.  Considered as the Sistine Chapel of the Philippines, most of the interiors was adorned with paintings by Simon Flores (1838-1904).

The Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has designated the conservation and protection of more than 30 other Spanish-era churches to be of utmost importance. These were registered as National Cultural Treasures. These churches were given priority status not just due to their historical value, but also based on the geographic representation of various regions across the nation, and include Santiago Apostol Parish Church in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga.  It is also one of the remaining churches in the Philippines with wooden floors.  It also showcases the talent of Betis in woodcarving evident in the door details.

By 11:30 am, we went back to the City of San Fernando for an Eat All You Can Buffet lunch at Partyland.  After the filling meal, we proceeded with the tour and boarded the bus to Las Casas de Acuzar in Bataan.

It was close to 4:00 pm when we arrived.  Their service Jeepney transfered us from our bus to one of the houses called Casa Jaen for the welcome drinks.  After registering at the reception, we proceeded with the guided tour of the restored houses in the property.  We were awed not only by the beauty of the details and the houses but also with their individual stories and how it was acquired.  The tour ended around 5:00 pm and used the remaining hour to freshen up, take pictures and rest in time for the cultural show at 6:00 pm.

After watching the performance of the Las Casas de Acuzar dance troup, we boarded the bus again for our return home to Manila.  We made a quick stop at NLEX again for dinner and was at Balintawak interchange by 11:00 pm.

Thank you to Crown Pipes and Davies Paints for making the event possible.

Thanks also to Ar. Alan C. Co and Eileen Co for some of the pics.

Attendees:
1. Omar Palero
2. Sheyne Sanchez
3. Muning Pujalte
4. Clang Torralba
5. Archie Bermejo
6. Gerald Maurin
7. Vhic Idano
8. Charlotte Sayson
9. Aejay Santos
10. Alan Co
11. Eileen Co
12. Gabbie Cascante
13. Joy Villar
14. Arvin Asis
15. Eah de Padua
16. Albert Realosa
17. Patrick Rodriguez
18. Maricel Oliveros
19. Levy Barnuevo
20. Ryan Fajardo
21. David Manango
22. Jayson Salonga
23. Zhac Tan
24. Albert Tan
25. Paula Yutuc
26. Sheila Pena
27. Mark Copino
28. Adrian Katipunan
29. Michelle Cunanan
30. Michael Fullero
31. Abigael Abulag
32. Ronjay Manila
33. Nigel Udtohan
34. Ronnel Tiansing
35. Angelo Oliva
36. Precess Perez
37. Zerah Resuello
38. Marlou Campaner
39. Gerardo Jose
40. Emman Yuzon
41. Otet Macapagal
42. Leigh Rodriguez (Guest)
43. Jericho Oliveros (Guest)
44. Sally Sandoval (Guest)
45. Josefa Mencia Ong (Guest)
46. Bryan Resuello (Guest)
47. Jessie Cunanan (Guest)
48. Renalee Bartolome (Sponsor)
49. Mark Anthony Delfin (Sponsor)