Remembering the Past
(History of Guagua, Pampanga)
Wawa which means "mouth of a river" or "alua or bukana" in the vernacular, was the original name of the town of Guagua as first known in the year 1590. Evidently, the town is strategically located along a river which played a vital role in trade and transportation in the early eras. Guagua was already a prosperous settlement way before the Spaniards came to take control of the town in the year 1561. Indeed, there were archeological artifacts excavated in a nearby town which affirmed a pre-historic community in Guagua.
Constructed in 1772 under the administration of Fr. Jose Duque, OSA, this spacious church was immensely improved in 1862 until 1870. (The first church edifice was constructed in 1587 which was razed by fire). Its interior is of Ionic style and its exterior is of Doric architecture marked by strength and aesthetic simplicity. The beautiful altar is a creation of noted artist Willy Layug. The cathedral type church, which is immediately adjacent to the Municipal building houses the now Cardinal Santos Catholic Center and the Immaculate Conception Parochial School.
Further reading
A Glimpse of the Past
(History of the Guagua Church)
The chapter of May 17, 1590 accepted the house of Guagua as a convent with Fr. Bernardo de Quevado as the prior and Fr. Juan de Zabala as the resident priest. The titular patroness of the church is Our Lady of Nativity while the patroness of the parish is the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. In 1603, it was placed under the direct supervision of the provincial as a vicariate.
There are indications that construction of the parochial building was started as early as 1641. Fr. Jose Duque, the famous church builder, was named parish priest in 1661 and served this town until 1684. Fr. Jose Duque was instrumental in the unification campaign following the rebellion of the Pampangueo in 1660. He started the construction of the convent and church with stone and bricks. The church which measures 60meters long, 16meters wide and 12meters high is known to be as beautiful and as big as that of San Agustin church in Manila.
Fr. Manuel Carillo, another hardworking parish priest of Guagua who was assigned in 1744, 1751 and 1762, was responsible for the stone convent. During his last term as parish priest, he signed a loan of some convent properties to get funds for the improvement of church. Fr. Paulino Fernandez constructed the beautiful dome in 1886. Fr. Antonio Bravo painted the church with artistic taste in 1862. During these times, the church reportedly had the best organ in Pampanga, a donation of Doia Carmen Macam.
Further reading
Improving the Parish Church
(Together with Rev. Msgr. Antonio M. Bustos)
On Nov. 21, 2001 Rev. Msgr. Antonio M. Bustos was installed as the new Parish Priest. The people immediately noticed this charis and cooperated in his ministry. From them on the following were the immediate concerned of his ministry:
Due to the increasing number of faithful attending mass on Sunday after 3 months he added 2 masses (the 10:00 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. mass) from 7 masses to 9 masses.
He organized the choirs that songs sung during masses are relevant to the season.
Further reading
