Lipa City Research

8/3/2019 Lipa City Research

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REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Lipa City, Batangas

Lipa City is a 1st class city in the province of Batangas, Philippines. It is one of

the three chartered cities of Batangas province (the others being Batangas City and the

City of Tanauan). It is situated 78 kilometers south of Manila. According to the 2000

census, it has a population of 218,447 people in 41,962 households.

Lipa City is bounded by the town of Santo Tomas in the northeast, San Pablo

City of Laguna and San Antonio of Quezon in the east, the municipalities of Padre

Garcia and Rosario in the southeast, the municipalities of Ibaan and San Jose in the

southwest, the municipaltities of Cuenca and Mataas Na Kahoy and Taal Lake in the

west and the municipalities of Balete and Malvar in the northwest.

The city's location, in a valley located between two mountains - Mount Malarayat

and Mount Makulot - makes it a low risk area. These two mountains serve as a wind

breaker in times of typhoon. Mount Makulot at the western portion also served as shield

of the city in times of eruption of Taal Volcano.

Lipa City is a major recreational, religious, commercial, industrial and educational

center in central Batangas province, as shown with the presence in the city of entities

like Nestle Philippines, De La Salle Lipa, the San Sebastian Cathedral (seat of the

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lipa), the Carmelite Convent, Robinson's Place Lipa

Mall, Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club, Summit Point Golf and Country Club and

the soon-to-open SM City Lipa Mall. The City is also home to the Fernando Air Base,

the former headquarters of the Philippine Air Force's 100th Training Wing and Air

Education and Training Command (AETC).


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craftsmanship and other small industries such as weaving, embroidery, and sewing for

women till the onset of World War II.

On 1889 to 1894 Lipeos also served in the revolutionary republic. Then on

August 31, 1947 Lipa became a chartered city under Republic Act 162, and was

formally approved on June 20, 1947. (http://www.1stphilippines.com/pc-

21bb2c8c40383854ffe9759d20cd3847.html)

San Sebastian Cathedral

San Sebastian Cathedral known to the Lipeos as katedral is located at C. M.

Recto or in the main roads of the town proper. The Cathedral was built in honor of St.

Sebastian. It is the seat of Archdiocese of Lipa City Batangas, and the feast day is held

every 20th of January.

The Augustinians governed the Lipa Parish from 1605 to the closing stages of

the 19th century. Lipa was previously on the Coast of Bonbon Lake and was devastated

by the explosion of Taal Volcano in 1754. The church was rebuilt at its present location

and was reconstructed under the direction of Rev. Benito Varas, OSA Parish Priest in1865. Pope Pius X established the Diocese of Lipa in April 10, 1910.

Built in the Romanesque tradition, the cathedral building design used columns

and arches in an upward and downward sequence, creating the effect of a shadow-and-

light play. The hemispherical top of the church and bell tower has a complex decorative

strip and arched stained-glass windows. The nave of the church is barrel vaulted and

now decorated with modern chandeliers. Its ceiling is covered with religious paintings.

The church also has a spiral stairway to the choir balcony.


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Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is situated at Torres St. and it is the same

street that leads to the famous Laiya beaches. It would be good idea to check out the

Carmel Church before proceeding to Laiya if you are on the way for a holiday.

The church was recognized for the miraculous shower of petals bearing the face

of the Virgin Mary. This was experienced in the Carmelite Monastery with the apparition

of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a Carmelite visionary nun. Since then, the Carmel Church

has become a destination for Catholics and pilgrims.

Carmel Church, When It Rained Rose Petals

When it rained rose petals ... A brief account of the apparitions of Mary, Mediatrix

of All Grace in Lipa City, Batangas.

On 12 September 1948, Sunday, Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, about

five in the afternoon, a Sister, who was taking a walk in the garden, suddenly remarked

that a vine shook. As there was no wind at all, it attracted her attention. She approached

and heard a womans gentle voice that said: Fear not, my child. Kiss the ground.

Whatever I shall tell you to do, you must do. For fifteen consecutive days come to visitme here in this spot. Eat some grass, my child. The Sister did not see anyone, she only

heard the voice.

Next day, Monday, at five oclock, the Sister returned to the place. She knelt and

recited the Hail Mary. She had reached the words full of grace when she remarked

that the vine was moving and, lo and behold, she saw a Beautiful Lady with her hand

clasped on her breast, a golden rosary hanging on her right hand. She was stooping

slightly; her dress was pure white, simple, held at the waist by a narrow cloth belt. Her

feet were bare and resting on clouds that were about two feet high from the ground. Her

face, of indescribable beauty, was radiant. She was smiling. Be faithful to come here, be

it rain or sunshine, she said to the Sister. Then the Sister asked her, Beautiful Lady,

who are you? I am your Mother, my little one. And having said this she vanished.


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On Tuesday at the same hour, the Sister went to the same spot. The Lady was

already there waiting for her. Her arms were extended forward as if wishing to enfold

her little one in a tender maternal embrace. I wish this place to be blessed tomorrow,

she said. At what time, my Mother? asked the Sister. Any time your Mother Prioress

wants. My child, I forbid you to forget the incidents of these fifteen days. Then blessing

the Sister, she disappeared.

The blessing of the nook in the garden was set for three in the afternoon of the

next day. Carmels Chaplain, His Excellency Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar, wearing the

rochette and stole, entered the enclosure and the Community followed him to the spot.

As the Community drew near, the Lady, visible only to the Sister, appeared with her

arms extended as if to gather all in her maternal embrace. As soon as the Sister knelt

before her, she said, My child, kiss the ground and eat a little grass. Take a piece of

paper and pencil and write down what I shall tell you for the Community. The following

is her message:

My daughters:

1. I ask of you to believe in me and to keep this deep secret among yourselves for thetime being.

2. Love one another as true Sisters.

3. Come often to visit me. Make this a sacred place and respect it. Gather the petals,

my children. I bless you all.

Then the Lady vanished and in the place of the apparition there were rose petals

scattered. The Chaplain proceeded with the blessing of the place, after which he gave a

short talk to the Community emphasizing the Ladys message.

At five oclock the same day, the Sister went to the same place and, as on the

preceding days, the Apparition was waiting for her. I shall ask something from Carmel. I

want a statue of mine to be placed here. Clean this part of your garden so it will be a


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real place of prayer. You need not tell me all your Sisters are asking, for I know them.

Tell them that they must believe lest they lose grace. I shall always bless the

Community, my child.

On September 16, when the Sister reached the spot, the Lady in her usual

attitude told her the following: I want a statue of mine placed here. I want you to

describe me to your Chaplain because I want it to be as you see me and as big as the

statue of Our Lady of Lourdes that is in the cloister. Tell your Mother Prioress to have

the rosary recited by the Community here every afternoon during these days. Extend

my love to all my daughters. Tell them that I love my daughters in Lipa Carmel, that I

shall always be with you all. Then blessing her little one, she departed.

The following days the Lady and the Sister met each other on the spot, and she

spoke to her as a Mother to her little one. She gave her motherly advice telling her to be

obedient, simple and humble; to tell the Community that simplicity and humility are the

two virtues she loves much, so to love and practice them.

One day the Apparition asked from the Community an individual consecration of

its members to herself according to the spirit of St. Grignon de Montfort.

On the last of the fifteen days, September 26, Sunday, the Lady repeated her

counsels to her little ones: My child, you must love and obey your Mother Prioress. Tell

your Sisters to love one another as true Sisters, to practice humility and simplicity, the

virtues I love most. Tell them to love and obey their Superiors and not to forget the

things I ask. I shall not ask bigger things from you as you expect because you are my

little ones. Do not forget to consecrate yourselves to me on October 7. Be very good. I

am MARY, MEDIATRIX OF ALL GRACE. I shall always bless the Community morning

and evening. Blessing the Sister she disappeared.

On September 30, rose petals were strewn in the cells of the monastery. On October 3,

the shower fell on the staircase. Occasional showers within the cloister followed. On

November 11, the petals fell outside and were seen by some visitors.


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On November 12, Friday, after the Mass, the Sister was called to the place of the

Apparition and there on the vine was Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace. Her hands joined on

her breast in a attitude of prayer, she looked tenderly but sadly on her little one and on

the Community that had followed. Then she said: People believe not my words. Pray,

my child, pray much because of persecution. Pray for priests. What I ask here is exactly

what I have asked Fatima. Tell this to the people. They dont believe in me nor do they

give what I ask. Tell the Sisters that I ask them to pray and help spread my devotion

and to make penances for those who dont believe. When people come to pray and ask

for graces, let them ask directly from me and not through you. These things may now be

revealed. This is my last apparition in this spot. Blessing her little one and the

Community assembled in the sacred place, Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace vanished.

In January 1991, the petal shower began again for Teresing Castillo. Since then,

the petal showers have continued, and Our Lady has begun to speak to Teresing and

has given her messages. Moreover, she has also had showers of whole roses!

(http://biagkensiak.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/lipa-the-san-sebastian-cathedral-and-

the-shrine-of-our-lady-of-mediatrix-of-all-grace/)

Casa de Segunda

Mark by Spains Heritage Casa de Segunda, the ancestral house of Segunda

Katigbak (Jose Rizal first love) is located at Calle Rizal, and was built in 1880. The

house is an archetypal bahay-na-bato.

Typical with the old houses during the Spanish colonial period is the ground floor,that are made of stone while the second floor are made of wood. One would

immediately notice houses built at that time, that their living room, dining room and

bedrooms are all located in the second floor. The windows are the big capiz (thin flat

translucent shell) sliding windows, with ventanillas, which gives the house interior ample

air ventilation.


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Ancient history lovers should check out this house, for they will be amazed with

aged stuff found inside the house. From huge narra (hard wood) slabs used as floorings

to old furnitures, even an old-fashioned sewing machine can be found. Lots of valuable

antique equipment and effects can be perceived inside the house.

(http://www.batangas-philippines.com/lipa-city-batangas.html)

Documents

Lipa City Research