The Missing Mother.

My summer months while growing up always included a sojourn to the mountaneous Antipolo.  Antipolo in the province of Rizal, now a vibrant city, is home to the Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage),  and also famous for the Hinulugang Taktak Falls, red clay-pottery, and for its Philippine delicacies such as suman sa ibos, kalamay and kasoy.

While on a parish pilgrimage (Visita Iglesia) last March 16th, our group visited the Church of Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata in the town of Tanay, just a few kilometers away from Antipolo.

Framed photograph of the Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata

The Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata was the first church built in the province of Rizal, older than the Church of Antipolo. 

It was built by the Jesuit fathers in 1700, damaged by an earthquake in July 18, 1880 and razed by a fire during the Second World War.  For a time, in the 1930's, it was abandoned to give way to a dam.  It was finally restored in 1995.

 The Church of Our Lady of Anunciata 
in Boso Boso, San Jose in Tanay, Rizal 

 
Today, the Church, practically just a remnant of a centuries-old church, stands as a vision of old stone with wild vines clinging on top of it.  A small chapel, built inside the church offers Sunday services to its parishioners. 

During our pilgrimage, a sorry tale was told to us.  That the original image of the Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata is missing.  It had been lost many years ago when it was borrowed by someone from Bulacan.

So, today only a photograph of a replica can be seen in the Church.  No one, it seems, knows the details about how the image had been lost.

Anunciation scene.

Like the missing Mother, the Church probably had missed many opportunities in the past.  It had only been restored recently, and canonically erected in 2004.

Wooden roof-dome

But with the help and aid of the Camilian priests and brothers and the laity, the Church is now actively pursuing the rehabilitation of its wooden roof and the reforestation of its environ.

Gate to a garden.

Restored stone wall.

We, the pilgrims, did the Tenth Station of the Cross at the Church

Fr. Vic Flores, Parish Priest of the San Andres Apostol who led the pilgrims, lamented about the loss of the image and wished that the Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata could be found soon and returned to Her home. 

Where could the Missing Mother be? 

Somewhere in Baliuag, famous for its Lenten procession where more than 55 religious images and icons navigate the busy Bulacan highway? Or anywhere in the capital city of Malolos where the historical Barasoain Church stands proudly? 

Could it simply be residing in a private house, consigned to a dark corner or in the attic gathered in dust, with the owner oblivious to the Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata's history?

Like the good priest Fr. Vic, I wish the Missing Mother could be located and like the Virgin of Antipolo, be adored in her own turf -  this Mother in her home in Tanay.