On a limited appearance last Holy Week in Bulusan were the altar silver centerpieces, part of the local parish church's ecclesiastical heirlooms. The priceless heritage altarpieces under the care of Saint James the Greater Parish include also several pieces of antique silver candle holders seen during the Huwebes Santo vigils.
According to several posts about the pieces, the frontal silver altarpieces with ornate silver relief design and style were brought to the shores of Bulusan via the galleon trade during the Spanish colonial period. The craftsmanship and materials probably originated from Mexico since there were no similar silver craftsmanship techniques of the same style existing in the Philippines at the time these pieces appeared in Bulusan.
But according to a National Library article, Mexican influences in Philippine culture is still lacking in available scholarly studies. In this case, these elegant Bulusan silver altarpieces from the 18th century era will be valuable sources of evident materials.
Photographs by Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines
Hi again, Manay Jane! The Mexican connection concept is based on my readings on the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. Mexico had a blooming gold industry and therefore had a lot of gold by-product, silver. Ecclesiastical silver ornaments such as these in Bulusan doubled as counterweights (much like the slabs of piedras china) for the galleons making their voyage back to the Far East.
ReplyDeleteThanks for walking by, Abe. Your information and researches are most appreciated. A culturally rich town like Bulusan surely needs cultural gatekeepers like yourself :)
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