BAMBOO ORGAN - Las Piñas, Philippines

For seven years now, Bacoor – Las Piñas – Sucat had been my daily route from home to work and vice versa. St. Joseph Parish Church in Las Piñas is a landmark I recognized for heavy traffic during weekdays from morning to noon as students both from public and private high schools reign supreme on street, while on weekends expect funeral march accompanied by grand parade on slow motion tune. But, I also adore this area as Christmas season arrives, as the streets are lit with uniform parol lanterns and church  artistically draped with lights and during feast on May, the streets are lined with colorful banderitas which I find unique despite being urban.

St. Joseph Parish Church is most famous for it housed the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ – is a nineteenth century pipe organ made almost entirely by bamboo. The organ is declared a National Cultural Treasure of the country by the National Museum of the Philippines for its uniqueness and significance since 1992.The Bamboo Organ is described by many international organ masters as one of the finest old organs in the world. Its construction of bamboo is noted as being one of the major factors that gives it a truly unique and lively sound. Located some 10 kilometers from south of the center of Manila, a 10 minute taxi from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) just simply ask driver and they now it well. 

One Thursday morning, on my way home from completion of requirements for a new job, I decided to drop by at St. Joseph Parish Church to utter a simple prayer to show gratitude from above. However, it was closed and finding ways to enter, I ended up at administration’s office. I was informed that church is closed on weekdays and they offer me the adoration chapel, which, I find much appropriate. On my way out, I thanked the lady for her assistance and her reply was an invitation to visit their museum. Intrigued not knowing they have museum, I paid 50 php and instantly handed me a post card with Bamboo Organ on it as memorabilia and a gentleman walked me through history of Bamboo Organ

History

The museum was adorned antiques dated from oldest circa 1795 and greeting visitors was a bronze statue that according to our tour guide was Fr. Cera – the builder of both the church and the Bamboo Organ. Father Diego Cera de la Virgen del Carmen, a native of Spain, is a catholic priest under the Augustinian Recollects. He served as parish priest in Las Piñas from 1795 to 1830. Artifacts revealed that Fr. Cera was a gifted man – a natural scientist, chemist, architect, community leader, musician and organ builder as well. In 1816 Fr. Cera begun his work of constructing the organ out of bamboo and was completed and playable in later year of 1824. The choice use of bamboo as material was due to its abundance and aesthetic appeal; it was a practical choice showcased indigenous and artistic nature Filipino appeal.

Philippines being prone to natural disaster such as earthquake and typhoon had caused Bamboo organ to some major destruction and restoration throughout history. Fr. Cera was the first restorer of the organ but for years it had taken a toll and unplayable that it was transported in Bonn, Germany in 1972 for major restoration by Johannes Klais Orgelbau KG. In March 1975, the bamboo organ went home and was welcome with great honor and festivity. Since then, the church has been the scene of many concerts and festivals. General overhaul took place in September 2003 to November 2004 done locally by European-trained organ builders who are also tasked with maintaining the instrument for the future generation to experience the unique sound of a Philippine treasure.

Las Piñas Boys Choir

High light of tour was at second floor when I came face-to-face with Bamboo Organ (shall I say in flesh?), it was majestic how it was preserved and functional, admiring its craftsmanship I kept hearing voices like of angels singing, thought it was part of the presentation but later learned that it was the Las Piñas Boys Choir practicing. 

The Las Piñas Boys Choir – is a boys choir made up of scholarship students at the St. Joseph’s Academy between 8 and 12, and performs regularly in the annual International Bamboo Organ Festival and at the Parish of St. Joseph. The choir was initially known as the “Himig Kawayan Boys Choir of the Las Piñas.” This was attempting to make connection with the Bamboo Organ. The choir was founded by a Belgian priest and missionary, the Reverend Fr. Leo Reinier, who believed that the parish’s Bamboo Organ could achieve its fully glory if there was a good choir to accompany it. 

What can you have for 50 php?

My 50 php brought me back to history at Bamboo Organ Museum. The tour included my personal tour guide plus a memorabilia post card, internationally acclaimed Las Piñas Boys Choir serenades visitors while on tour and I gained some foreign friends – Sascha and Lila of Germany…. Better than two cones of Cornetto Ice Cream!