The church of Pakil is one of the best preserved in Laguna. Built in 1684, it stands as a fine example of colonial baroque architecture. The church’s curlicue stonework and cherubs on the facade is enough to fascinate us. But the wonderment continues inside the 324 year old structure and continues further in stories that were passed on through generations.
It was the Franciscan Father Pedro Bautista (later became a saint) who designated a place for the church and plaza in Pakil. In 1602, Pakil became a visita of Paete. Tradition has it that when the people of Pakil had to hear mass in Paete, they had to carry some stones to help build the church of Paete. On May 12, 1676, Pakil was separated from Paete. It was Padre Francisco Barajas who helped established the first church under the patronage of San Pedro de Alcantara.
During the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese Army took hold of the town but did not stay. It is said that an old woman warned the enemy to keep out since the place is infested with malaria carrying mosquitoes. The town was also spared from allied bombing raids during the Liberation. According to a story of an American jet fighter, clouds usually cover Pakil whenever he flew over the town and on one clear day he could have dropped the bomb, however he saw a white flag waving from the roof of the church’s belfry.
The Parish Church of San Pedro de Alcatara has been part of our recent Visita Yglesia via the Lake Towns of Laguna. When we first entered the church, we observed that every corner reflects creativeness and much so the unexpected such as the holy water font whose basin rests on a monkey’s (or a devil’s) head which we find unusual for a church. Another intriguing artwork is the painting Judicium Finale by Paete artist Jose Dans. The huge painting illustrates heaven, purgatory and hell.
From the right side of the aisle is a magnificent life-size image of the Crucified Christ. We later learned that this is the same image that is brought down to be laid on a bier to serve as the Santo Entierro (or dead Christ on a bier) for Pakil’s Good Friday rites. Travel and lifestyle writer Anita Feleo suggests that people of Pakil did not bother to own a Santo Entierro because they are enamored with wonderful tale behind the image of the Crucified Christ.
“A long time ago, a man showed up at the church and told the priest he must be given carving tools, a room to work in, food and be left alone. The request was so unusual that the priest complied. The mysterious man went into the room and locked the door from inside. Each day the parishioners brought him food. Being familiar with how a carver works, they described the sound as that of a hammer hitting a chisel. On the seventh day, they heard nothing from inside the room and the door, which had been solidly locked from inside was now ajar. When the parishioner’s slowly opened the door, they were greeted by a magnificently carved image of the Crucified Christ. The carving tools were neatly laid out on the workbench. The carver had disappeared.”
As we approached the main altar we marveled at the bas relief of saints and the Stations of the Cross. The niches of the ornate side and the main retablos are occupied by antique images of saints. A centuries-old anda that is used to bore the venerated icon of the church is locked in chamber located on left side of the altar.
Enshrined on the main of Pakil’s Church is the carved statue of the Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba, the celebrity of the town’s Turumba sa Virgen festival. According to Feleo, “the Virgin of Turumba is a fashion plate, thanks to devotees who gifted her with more clothes than she could wear. She currently owns more than 300 gowns and wears each one only once for every two weeks. After her dress is changed, the used garment is cut into tiny squares. These are given away as amulets.”
But there is a much older image of the Virgen de los Dolores that is too small to be taken out to processions. It is a precious image that is kept in a chapel within the church’s convent. It is the original Painting of the Virgin of Sorrows that made the People of Pakil Dance for Joy.
This is the first of a series on Pakil
Reference: Leap of Faith by Anita Feleo
Traveler on Foot 
Viva la Virgen!
Viva Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Turumba!
[…] make a stop-over in Pakil to recite the rosary in its 17th century church. Every part of the San Pedro de Alcantara Church is a tasteful piece of folk religious art, from the mural of heaven, purgatory and hell by Jose […]
We were just here last weekend, not my first time but it was a first for my husband and our two year old daughter. Thank you for the stories – i wished i have read this article before our trip.
Ang simbahan ba ay merong kalsada sa unahan pagkatapos ay merong parke. Tapos ang loob, pagpasok ay may parang maliit na chapel sa kaliwa?
yes, meron po kalsada sa harap then pagtawid po eh yung plaza. Adoration chapel po dati yung sa kaliwa kaso tinanggal na po.
NAKAKAINLUV PANUORIN ANG MGA PICTURES…MAYBE ONE DAY I WILL VISIT THIS FAMOUS CHURCH IN LAGUNA
is there any closes wedding reception in this church please let know and i hope you will be able to help me..thnx
I am not familiar with other funtion venues in the area Teresa. I heard that most wedding receptions are held in Exotik restaurant in the town of Kalayaan.
gusto ko makapunta sa bayan nyo (:
Hello,
Thank you very much for sparing space in highlighting Pakil Church. I was born, raised in Pakil and it is so surreal reading about it and relfect my times during those years. Now I am here in Bahrain, I miss the old church where I used to sing as a member of the choir, do the black rosary where we carry image of Mama Mary from house to house. It was all wonderful experience that guide me for what I am now. Thank you once again. God Bless You and your blog.
Hi, I’m hoping someone can help me with either 1. the Parish Priest’s Name 2. parish address and telephone number 3. name of the diocese which the Church of San Pedro de Alcantara belongs. I believe my fiance was baptised there in 1971 and we’re seeking to obtain a copy of her baptismal certificate for marriage purposes
Regards,
Dave
Hi Danny:
I hope you still remember me. I am one of your sister’s (Nenette) Marketing classmate at U.E. way back in 1963-1965. I used to see you and your sister at your house in (was it Kamuning, Q.C.) Quezon City.
Nenette just found me in facebook and we are talking about old times. She forwarded to me you your website. It is very beautiful.
More power to you.
Tom Flores
Hello Professor Dalena,If you still remember i am one of your student at FEU as a graphic artts student.I cant forget what you told me that you like my sketches and to be good at it. I am proud to be your professor it teaches me a lot to succeed in my profession as an artist,I admire your work and cartoons,your style is unique,thank you for all of your help to all artists success,Your student IARFA-FEU, Romualdo “Jay” Ylagan Disneyland California
This church seem to have been built for The Templars and the Knights of Malta, there is alot of Hidden Symbology Within its walls one of the primary symbol that caught my attention was the Freemason Symbol you can say this was build by Master Masons which would explain the Cross of Malta, which could also had been a gathering for the Masons, since they are known to infiltrate even the most powerful of organizations, nonetheless its a very beautiful landmark, once again shows you the skills Masons had and it reflects on this Beautiful Church.
Slamat s naglahala ng turumba ng pakil ako mismo e deboto s turumba dahil s kanyang pgbabantay s aming bayan salamat po
I’ve been there twice, the last was on Good friday, april 2.. Amazing..
Very Nice!
Hope there will be also for Liliw Church
Beautiful paintings I love them.
nakakatuwang malaman na ang aming simbahan ay nai feature o nailathala nyo MARAMING SALAMAT!GOD BLESS