Church of Santa Lucia (Sasmuan, Pampanga)
July 28, 2006
This was a sad story for the town of Sasmuan. Although what is visible here are the changes to the church, what people don’t see is the drama behind the unceremonious removal of the remains of prominent citizens of the town that used to be interred at the left wall of the church. Since the current church is a totally new structure (only the facade and belfry was spared), the wall housing the remains was demolished as well. Among those interred there was the town hero, Don Monico Mercado. Without informing the families, the parish priest collected all the bones, including Mercado’s, and threw them into a common grave! When the family found out, it was too late. Obviously, identifying which was Don Monico’s was close to impossible.
Let’s not forget as well the fact that the priest built an oversized dome on top of the church which looks more like a flying saucer especially when it is lit in the evenings. Please take note that the parts painted white are the original features of the church and the concrete ones are those added.
Church of Santa Lucia
- Location: Sasmuan, Pampanga
- Completed:
- Architect: Augustinians
- Style:
- Design:
- Significance: The old town church of Sasmuan, Pampanga, it is one of the few, if not the only church in the country where the single belfry is sandwiched in between the church and the convento.
- Status: Renovated in 2003 under Fr. Ted Valencia, Parish Priest
My family roots are in Sasmuan. I still remember the original design and layout before lahar, neglect and poor planning decided its present state. The Catholic church, out of respect for the prominent individuals who contributed to Santa Lucia’s history, should at least be immortalized in a plaque bearing their names. (Initiate a museum of pride for the people of Sasmuan.)
that’s really a monstrosity and a sacrilige to a rather beautiful old church. unfortunately, its always like this. seminaries should have a program on conservation.
Ako po si Santa Lucia. Ano po ang nangyayari sa ating bayan, Sasmuan? Unang una po, sino po ang may kagagawan sa pag iba ng simbahan–binaboy na po ang ating historia. At kailan po matatapos ang
kababuyan na ‘to? At ang ating Mayora Bagasina, ilang taon kang mayor at hindi mo man napalinis ang
ilog o bigyan man ng disciplina ang taong bayan para sila mismo ang maglinis ng kapaligiran. Puro
basketball, tambayan at jueteng na lang ang inatupag ng tao Sasmuan. Basura sa ilog at mga calle.
Nasaan na ang mga calesa? Puro na lang mga tricycle at jeeps ang nag bibigay pollution sa bayan.
Oo, kailangan ang pondo para mag-iba ang bayan, pero kailangan muna ang disciplina, lalo na sa
municipio.
base in what i have learned in our lesson (kasalo) this church is known as the old church here in pampanga.. and many mysteries is its story…
This is very sad indeed. I sympathize for the great loss not only of the town of Sasmuan but of the families whose ancestors were interred in the original church as well. We share the same tragic fate in Poblacion, Porac where all that was spared was the façade. My mother then upon knowing what happened almost died of a heart attack. It is totally unacceptable behavior! Those parish priests (those concerned) are inconsiderate and insensitive. It is a great disrespect to those noble families who more or less gave and contributed to the town and the people’s early beginnings. Even their grave markers were smashed and their bones thrown in mass graves, unsorted and unidentified! Why were they in a hurry? Were they eager to find buried treasure beneath the church or of the deceased? I hope this ain’t the case because we are loosing too much of our heritage structures already due to insensitivity and greed especially in the part of the people who are, in the first place, there to look after them. More power to the site, this is a great cause! I hope I be able to contribute or be part of your crusade.
I am a perrennial devotee of Apu Lucia our patron saint in sasmuan town.My noble roots are in sasmuan. and my ancestors are not ordinarypeople of this place. They were part of the foundations of the town. In most recent times a first cousin of grandfather(Teogenes Sibug)Don Florentino Sibug became a Mayor of the town an suceeded by his son Brigido Sibug. Before them extends a long line of Sibug who help laid the foundations of Sasmuan. Don Santiago Sibug was both a writer in Spanish and the Capampangan language who according to my uncle patiently wrote homilies of Spanish friars assigned there. It is also the hometown of the great Don Monico Mercado. With all of this brief informations my purpose is to create awareness in the people of sasmuan to respect and stop defacing the historical landmarks such as the Santa Lucia Church. It is the only landmark that stood witness to history. There are no old structures that is left standing in Sasmuan except for the church.I have wanted to finish the book i am writing about sasmuan. And this disrespect to historical landmarks will not be left unsaid.
I am a perrennial devotee of Apu Lucia our patron saint in sasmuan town.My noble roots are in sasmuan. and my ancestors are not ordinary people of this place. They were part of the foundations of the town. In most recent times a first cousin of my grandfather(Teogenes Sibug)Don Florentino Sibug became a Mayor of the town an suceeded by his son Brigido Sibug. Their picture at the municipal hall are still there. Before them extends a long line of Sibug who help laid the foundations of Sasmuan. Don Santiago Sibug was both a writer in Spanish and the Capampangan language who according to my uncle Efren Sibug patiently wrote homilies of Spanish friars assigned there. It is also the hometown of the great Don Monico Mercado. With all of this brief informations my purpose is to create awareness in the people of sasmuan to respect and stop defacing the historical landmarks such as the Santa Lucia Church. It is the only landmark that stood witness to history. There are no old structures that is left standing in Sasmuan except for the church.I have wanted to finish the book i am writing about sasmuan. And this disrespect and insult to historical landmarks will not be left unsaid.