A VISIT TO THE SAN AGUSTIN MUSEUM

Veni, vidi, vici a famous word from Julius Ceasar and this was all that I had uttered after coming out of the San Agustin Museum. It really is a good way of educating ourselves and having ourselves acquainted on what the museum had established way back 1607 when it was completed.

I was the happy to engage on this tour because somehow I know I will be learning something after this, maybe not physically or mentally but rather spiritually. This will help me be a more open-minded person in a spiritual way. This may help me build my religious attitude and be more cooperative to what the church is into.

Upon entering the main building of the museum, amazement comes first in my mind. I was very much in highly applause for the structure. How great were those men of the past that they had built a certain structure like this? In the first place, I know that the museum is already a historical place and it is maintained and restored, but what Im pointing out is the fact that it had been here for centuries, regardless of the restoration being applied on it. See how magnificent a wall of faith and religion can withstand the test of time? It is already given that this structure had undergone so many wars and earthquakes yet it is still standing erectly as it should be.

It is really amazing how God works on those hands that built that museum. It really is a piece of art disregarding the numerous artifacts, religious relics, Episcopal paraphernalia, altar silver utensils, etc. the museum itself is an art. It is an art expressing faith and strength. And it so overwhelming knowing that almost every day, tourists is coming around to experience high level of art and the aura of holiness there is.

During our visit there, a lot of foreigners are flocking around the doorsteps of the museum even at the front of the church reserving for tickets. They were accompanied by their friends and their families. The museum serves as the recreation and bonding place whether Filipino family or not. It is a smile cracking thing to see families together doing the same activity, a validation of the culture of Filipinos, exhibiting close family ties.

Within the stone walls of the museum lies the treasure, ready to be tilled and discovered by an amateur treasure hunter. And we were the hunters amazingly enjoying the treasures we had found at the heart of the city. We had hunted religious artifacts from the ancient that were being preserved and displayed.

Along the corridors of the museum, there are oil paintings exhibited, which were done by Filipino artists portraying the lives of the ancient Filipinos during Spanish times, the passion of Christ, and different paintings of saints.

The ceiling of the church is fantastic; I really love the paintings in it. I greatly appreciated the efforts they had exerted to paint on the ceiling. It is not really surprising because Filipinos are really good artists. When you enter the church, the ambiance is very good. There is a light aura that you will feel compared to the other rooms. There is a relaxing feeling knowing that it is Gods place.

When also entered on the crypt, I was astonished on what I had viewed, I only saw these on television shows, but now, its for real. Its really an amazing feeling but I feel heavy when I was inside. I just dont know what was it for but I felt heave energy on that room.

Before reaching the second floor, I climbed up stairs. The stair experience was great, there were paintings exhibited and the ceiling is the main attraction. It took me 15 minutes on the stair because I keep on looking up high on that wonderful perfect round stone dome covered with light little bricks.

Upstairs, I first entered the church vestments. Feeling amazed, I turned my head around the vicinity. There were clothes owned I think were Spanish friars that were being displayed. There were a lot and I wondered why these are so large and for sure, those were so heavy.

The four corridors in the second floor, burned in 1945, have been recently restored to their original form. The walls are plastered and painted in white, as they were originally, following the Mexican influence. The corridors were great, as if you were in a Mediterranean-style building.

From the first hall to the right is the San Pablo Hall commonly known as Claustro de San Pablo. It was destroyed in 1945 and restored in 1993. The table used during chapter meetings, the Caja de Obras Pias, the model scale of San Agustin Church and Museum and old paintings are exhibited here.

The next room is the San Agustin Hall that housed formerly the cells of Major Superiors of the Agustinians in the Philippines, the Prior of the monastery and other officials. It was destroyed in 1945 and restored in 1993. Hanging on the walls are photos of churches built by the Agustinians from 1565 1898. There are a lot of photos exhibited here from different parts of the country. I was amazed of the fact that all these churches are having resemblance in every detail; almost all of these churches are in Baroque style. Filipino Grammars and Dictionaries written by the Agustinians were also exhibited in here.

Next up is the porcelain room. Exhibited here are precious shards excavated at the San Agustin Complex which evidence the China-Philippine trade back in the old times. Equally revealing are the heirloom jars from the South-east Asia.

The Oratorio was the next room I entered. I found myself bedazzled of what I had witness, a bamboo organ sitting in the corner, big lecterns with cantorals. Here we can witness and oversee the church down there. Once again, I was astounded and overflowed with gladness having seated in the choir seats carved with molave having fine inlays in it. The big lectern with cantorals and the XVIIIth Century Pipe Organ, to which is attached the memory of the composers of such re-known as the Agustinians Father Arostegui and Pakil-born Marcelo Adonay.

Next is the Church Vestments, this room showcases the XVIIth and XVIIIth Century vestments and capes from Spain and China worn by officiating priests for church services. The capes, chasubles, dalmatics, altar cloth and frontals are embroidered and decorated with gold and silver metallic thread. Some are painted with intricate designs. Vestments in various colors are used during different liturgical seasons. Some of these vestments were conserved to prevent further deterioration.

I came, I saw, I conquered. It came out to be a good spiritual experience for me engaging a tour like this. I am very much of great joy after the tour. A great experience that I will be sharing with my families, friends and other people to let them experience what treasure I had hunted and found.