Blog #105: Visiting The St. Gabriel's Church in Santander Cebu

Hey Hivers!

Have you been to St. Gabriel the Archangel's church in Santander Cebu? Someone told me that if I will be going to Santander I should also consider to visit their parish church because it is the only church in the whole province of Cebu with St. Gabriel the Archangel as patron. I don't know how true it is since I don't memorize all the churches in Cebu with their patron saints. Yesterday, I went to Santander and the first thing I did was I headed to St. Gabriel the Archangel church and I offered a prayer. I am glad because I was able to visit the church. St. Gabriel the Archangel is also known as the messenger of God.

According to church history that is posted in the entrance of the church, this church used to face the sea, being the integral cog in the defensive network of watchtower organized by Fr. Julian Bermejo against pirate raiders. For some reason, however, the Santander's church orientation was changed 180 degrees so it now faces the highway with the sea behind it. The renovation started in the 1950's and went on well into the 1970's. Its location on the southernmost tip of mainland Cebu means Santander was on the frontline of the defensive system put up by Bermejo in the first half of the 1800s. Bermejo's network of watchtowers was so effective that it helped end in the 1850's the constant pillaging of coastal towns by pirate raiders.

As I have done reading the history, my heart was so grateful to the people who have initiated such an heroic action to protect the place from the possible attack of the pirate raiders.

As I looked around the vicinity, I have noticed the cross planted beside the church. The cross symbolizes the 500 years of christianity in the Philippine Catholic church. We may have grand celebration this time but it was cancelled due to pandemic.

I wanted to get inside the church. I am curious what it looks like but unfortunately the main door of the church was closed. I tried to check if I can access the other door however, it was also closed.

This area is where you can light a candle. We say it "Dagkot" in our mother tongue meaning in English to light and usually we say our prayers and intentions to God after lighting candles.

After praying, I have noticed this area with full of colorful ornamental plants. I was tempted to have a photos of it. I had never asked someone's permission because no one was around.

After the church visit I have heard a story from one of the locals about their former parish priest who is now in heaven. The certain priest was loved and admired by the people in Santander because he was able to develop their parish church well. As the people in town had noticed the huge development of their parish church they were motivated to donate more money. They really liked that priest because he is truly a man full of integrity.

One day the priest was out of town. The whole town of Santander was mourning after they had heard the news about the sudden death of their parish priest. He was in the City and while walking in the street he got robbed. The robbers grabbed his bag but he had tried not to give them his bag. They killed the priest. They never knew that the victim was a priest because he just wore a civilian clothes. They just found it after they had checked the bag. The bag has contained with bible and cassock. The robbers went to the police station and personally surrendered because they had felt guilty.

The woman who have shared me the story told that I should have to come back and see the interior of the church. I told her soon I would come back.

Thank you for reading and see you on my next blog. Cheers!

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Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.

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