Just the other day, I passed by the location of the infamous Las Piñas Bamboo Organ and saw some construction happening on site. I felt so disgusted upon seeing that the old (though not as old as the church walls) school building has been demolished. I felt sadness as another building in the historical grounds of Las Piñas has come to waste once again that the city government allowed/permitted. Nakakapang hinayang, that old 3-story building stood there and witnessed a lot of concertos, graduations, simbang gabi, and town fiestas on its ground and now it is no more.. gone forever.
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| The Old 3story building stood on her glory |
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The picture was taken in 13Mar2016
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I felt sadness and despair while I laid my eyes on it. Nothing remains but ashes of its past. I just can't bear how the townspeople's reaction when that building has been torn down. Why I haven't heard any protests about the demolition? Why demolished rather than do renovations without wrecking the entire building and preserving its old glory? WHY?? A lot of whys and there's nothing that I can do but shake my head in annoyance.
And because I love history and how these affected our future I decided to bring my kiddos with me and tour the museum with them. It is actually walking in memory lane, the church and the bamboo organ were so rich in history and beautiful memories that new generations already long forgotten. I remembered my Values Education teacher Gloria de la Cruz, a retired piano teacher who is a true Las Piñeros (born and raised in Las Piñas) who shared with us the old glory of the St. Joseph Parish ground. It used to be with lots of trees as she said. By the way, she graduated from St. Joseph's school as a class valedictorian way back in the 1940s. She told us that the church bells serve as the town's alarm clock. From the ground of the church, you could see salt beds on the right and rice fields on the other side. She and her classmate used to play on the ground and took their afternoon nap under those Nara trees- were only 3 left as of this writing. I know we cannot bring back the past yet we can only bring back memories of the past. It's a good thing that there is a tour guide explaining to my kiddos some events of the past-thus sparing me from reading them to them.
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| our tour guide for the day |
I took some videos and plenty of pictures to serve as a remembrance and a guide for those who wish to visit. I am encouraging everyone- your time won't be a waste since their museum- the memories it offers and the money you paid were indeed worth it.
There is an entrance fee as follows;
Adult - Php 100.00
Senior Citizens/Persons with Disabilities for local Tourist only - Php 50.00
Student/Children - Php 50.00
Bring a valid ID for verification.
They will also provide you a pamphlet and a postcard as a souvenir.
You could view my entire album for this tour just click the link below,
I provided several links that you can read with well-detailed information available to help you be more familiar with this article.
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| Piano keys and windpipes |
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| Those piano keys were made out of woods |
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| See the picture of the old parish ground?? |
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Kiddos check the door like a pump called bellows that supplies wind to make the organ work.
Do you know that it is made of pig skin?? |
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| old bamboo organ and this one still works!!! |
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| St. Ezekiel Moreno relics |
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| That Lovely Chandelier |
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| Very simple, rustic yet lovely |
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| Bamboo Organ Festival Posters over the years |
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| 1st stairway leading to the 2nd floor |
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| our way up the church's 2nd floor |
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| this room holds history and memories |
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| that stoned thick archway going to the 2nd floor |
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| The 2nd-floor portion of the church |
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| the 2nd floor |
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| Church right-wing interior |
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| The church interiors view from the 2nd floor |
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| The famous Bamboo Organ up close |
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| See those, Bamboo ceilings?? |
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| Our remembrance :) :) |
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| The famous Bamboo Organ up close |
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| How thick are these Adobe columns!!! |
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| Love this adobe archway passage |
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| Sacristan Room |
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| An old Chandelier lighted the stairways leading to the Bamboo Organ |
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| If only these old wooden statues could talk |
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| Old Wooden guards |
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| Old Church Bell |
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| Other stairs leading to the 2nd floor |
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| Bamboo coin bank |
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| Las Piñas Boys Choir |
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| Old Capiz Lamp |
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| Visitors Log |
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| Bamboo Organ side view from the 1st floor |
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| Bamboo Organ frontal view from the 1st floor |
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| Church post with grave stamp |
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| The church bell tower and Padre Diego Cerra monument |
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| St. Joseph Parish Church |
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