Pampanga house of statues lures pilgrims

GUAGUA, Pampanga, Philippines – Across the 17th century Baroque-inspired church in Betis town is an old, two-story house that has kept for 254 years seven life-size statues that have become the focus of veneration during the Holy Week processions in Betis.

Betis is world-famous for its carved wooden furniture, and these antique statues carved by locals display the same artistry and quality.

While no one could say who carved the six-foot tall Jesus Nazareno statue, the Santo Entierro or the Dead Christ, the Blessed Mother, Mary Magdalene, John the Beloved, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were known to have been chiseled and painted by brothers Juan, Martin and Severino Pangilinan in 1760.

They were sons of Betis gobernadorcillo Mariano Pangilinan, a fiscal who inherited from his forefathers the Jesus Nazareno statue, whose origin and history are unknown.

The seven antique statues are kept for most of the year in the old house, known to Betis folk as Bale Piskal (house of the prosecutor) of Mariano Pangilinan.

The Pangilinan family has taken care of the statues, which are brought out only during Holy Week processions, according to Precy Cunanan, fifth generation granddaughter of Mariano.

Cunanan, who spent her youth in the old house, said the statues were kept at the old house because her grandmother Maria, a teacher, discouraged fanaticism among Catholics who are fond of kissing statues.

“It was my grandmother’s way of stressing that saints are for veneration, not adoration, which is owed only to God,” Cunanan explained.

“The statues carved by the brothers have remained well preserved with their fine features, including veins that could be traced in their hands and arms and their realistic eyes,” she added.

Cunanan said that in carving the statue of the Blessed Mother, the Pangilinan brothers paid special attention to ensure that her face, while reflecting sadness over the death of her Son, did not portray desperation.

“This was because her sadness was mixed with faith that her Son would rise on the third day,” Cunanan quoted her grandmother as saying.