300-year-old Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish in Sta. Ana undergoes renovation

The busy streets of Sta. Ana, Manila is also home to one of the oldest and most historical churches in the Philippines. Standing strong for over 300 years, Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish or Sta. Ana Church is currently undergoing renovation to preserve the memories it holds and the surprises it has yet to reveal to its parishioners.

According to a report by Joseph Morong in GMA News TV's "News to Go" on Monday, Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish was the first church built by Franciscan missionaries outside Intramuros, the oldest district and historic core of Manila.



Local history also shows in the Church's structure and ornaments. Philanthropist Dr. Jaime Laya, who toured the church with parish priest Dr. Willie Benito in the report, pointed out the statue of Sta. Clara in the retable. “Among others, siya 'yung patroness ng mga labandera. Noong araw, 'yung occupation ng mga babaeng taga-Sta. Ana, naglalaba sila,” he said.

Sta. Ana Church was built by a graveyard near a deep well people used to take water from, believing it to be miraculous.

The most special part of the parish is the image of Our Lady of the Abandoned, which was brought to the Philippines in 1717. It is similar to one housed in Valencia, Spain.

According to Fr. Benito, “This pedestal ay galing sa galleon na ang pangalan ay Sto. Cristo de Burgos. Ang galleon na 'yun ang nagdala sa imahe ng Our Lady of the Abandoned dito sa Philippines.”

Meanwhile, on the ceiling of the Church's Camarin dela Virgen, or dressing room, are the country's oldest datable paintings.

The report also notes that Sta. Ana Church's bell is the same bell that was rung during the liberation of Manila 70 years ago.

The altar boy who rang the bell is still one of devotees of Our Lady of the Abandoned. “I was instructed by Father to go up together with another altar boy, Ophero Diaz de Rivera,” said Ramon Tabuena, who was 9 years old at the time.

Conservation work on the church began this year using ancient materials and processes with the help of Escuella Taller and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts.

“Strikto tayo o purist. Kapag sinabi nating ibabalik natin sa dating condition or state, ang magiging kulay niyan, pink or yellow.  'Yun 'yung original color niya—pink, yellow, salmon,” said Dope Cobarrubia of Escuella Taller.

In line with this, Laya will launch a guidebook on the Church that notes its special role in the religious background of the Philippines, in the hope of bringing it to the awareness of the parishioners and the public. — Bianca Rose Dabu/BM, GMA News