Amazing Jing for Life: The colossal structure of St. Vincent Ferrer is Guinness World Records "Tallest Bamboo Sculpture!!!"

The colossal structure of St. Vincent Ferrer

If I could only put in words how greatful and privilege I am having invited and served as one of the fortunate witnesses in the recently concluded and awarding of Bayambang, Pangasinan Patron Saint, San Vicente Ferrer's colossal statue as Guinness World Records "Tallest Bamboo Sculpture" (supported).

How time flies so fast, just last June 10, 2018, the groundbreaking for the construction of the said sculpture and its prayer park took place. And in just barely 10 months, they have been very blessed to finally accomplish the completion of the structure without no record of any mishaps or accidents. (Thank God!)

And just last month, we were also invited to the Pista'y Baley (meaning town fiesta) presscon held at Mr. and Mrs. Cezar T. Quiambao's posh residence. We were at an awe realizing how grandiose the week-long (April 1-8) celebration of Bayambang's 405th Anniversary and St. Vincent Ferrer's 400th Anniversary as well and this also marks as the patron saint's 600th death anniversary too. Eveything seemed so well-thought and planned and that the implementation and execution were the prime aspects to be anticipated.

The Pista'y Baley of Balon Bayambang (New Bayambang), is a yearly grand celebration of this municipality, participated by 77 baranggays of this 3rd district of Pangasinan. This year, their theme was "Bayang Pinagtibay ng Pananampalataya at Pagkakaisa Laban sa Lahirapan." Aside from the Bayambangueños, other townsfolks from neighboring areas, cities, municipalities and provinces come to visit and be part of the most-anticipated celebration to honor, give thanks and pay respect to the town's patron saint, St. Vincent Ferrer.

Notice the replica of the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church and the signage indicatiing the 400th year of the presence of the town's patron saint, Saint Vincent Ferrer

Come April 5, 2019, Friday, the joyous day for the Bayambangueños and the rest of us Filipinos, too! This will be the day that St. Vincent Ferrer's 50.2 meters statue will be unveiled right before our eyes and will be determined and examined by the Guinness World Records adjudicator. As far as I know, at 7 in the morning, the whole detailed and meticulous examination of the bamboo sculpture occured on that very same day. I can imagine the tension and the pressure it brought to everyone involved during those breathtaking hours.

This was my view from my location with St. Vincent Ferrer's sculpture behind me. This historical place, aside from St. Vincent's colossal structure, will soon rise a chapel beside it for the devotees, pilgrims, tourists to have a very special sanctuary for them to reflect and say their prayers everytime they visit the place and of course the whole place will be called St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park. Part of the whole plan was to have it also finished within this year so that people from all walks of life, from every part of the Philippines or even from any part of the world will flock the prayer park to visit this sacred place which is also proposed to be a National Shrine.

Can't help but to take a shot on this majestic sunset. I've captured this amazing scenery while we were taking snaps of St. Vincent Ferrer's statue and the vicinity. It was a such a sight to behold! I guess this was also a good premonition or sign that something "big" and "great" was about to happen. Good sign, isn't it?!

My first picture with St. Vincent Ferrer! I was so excited, imagine, just last month (March), we visited the site and it was still under construction and now... here He is and about to make a mark in the world history and record!!!

It had reached to my knowledge that there were 608 strong men and 1 exceptional woman behind the construction (who is a welder) which was completed in a span of 10 months.

Bayambang is the current record-holder of the Guinness World Records' Longest Barbecue (8kms.), surpassing the record from Turkey. That momentous event happened last April 4, 2014.

Materials used for this: Engineered bamboo with steel frame for support.

Project manager, site development planner, detailed design of the sculpture using 3D polygon technology: JQS Builders (headed by Arch. Jerry Surratos, Engr. Aaron Villafuerte and Mr. Jericho Roble).

With blogger/friend Gracee Bongolan

As soon as the carousel of patron saint San Vicente Ferrer arrived, the program started...

Bayambang Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao started with his speech to all his beloved Bayambangueños

Mayor Quiambao's wife and first lady of Bayambang also gave her speech

The "Prince of Pop" Erik Santos serenaded us with his soulful voice

The unveiling of St. Vincent Ferrer's gigantic statue has finally come. It was proceeded by a display of fireworks first. The Bayambangueños were rejoicing at this momentous event!

It was followed by the blessing officiated by Bishop Elmer Macalinao and Rev Fr. Allen O. Romero

Guinness World Records adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar (from India)

And the most-awaited moment has finally come... it is the announcement or recognition of the newly-built St. Vincent Ferrer Bamboo Sculpture as Guinness World Records "Tallest Bamboo Sculpture" (supported) !!!

Mr. Swapnil Dangarikar's wonderful words went like this : "It has been an absolute pleasure to come here to Bayambang, and to see this magnificent structure here. I've come to the Philippines, six times already, this is my seventh time, and every time I come here I'm amazed to see how dedicated how passionate the people here are, this is just one more example. So big round of applause to all of you!!! So I was here in the morning to verify the structure... this is record for the tallest bamboo sculpture (supported) ... now there are lot of guidelines that has to be cleared in order to get the record, it's not just to record by the height. After going through all the guidelines... I'm very happy to say that with 50.23 meters, you have broken the record and this is the world's tallest bamboo sculpture!!! A big round of applause for all of you and congratulations!!!"

Oh my, after hearing that announcement, I felt goosebumps all over my body! It was a very surreal experience indeed! Congratulations to everyone involved and had partake in making this whole magnificent event possible!!!

VIVA SEÑOR SAN VICENTE FERRER!!!

The first couple of Bayambang Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao and his wife Niña Jose were all smiles and couldn't contain the happiness they feel!

The 400-voice choir rejoiced and sang before the audience

The whole team of Quimbao-Sabangan as well as the whole town of Bayambang, Pangasinan were rejoicing as they celebrate another milestone for their beloved Balon Bayambang!

This Holy Week season, we can start paying a visit to St. Vincent Ferrer located at St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park, Brgy. Bani, Bayambang, Pangasinan.

For everyone who would like to watch how the whole ceremony unfolded, please watch my vlog:

St. Vincent Ferrer Background

Homage to the town patron, Saint Vincent Ferrer

This year, Pista’y Baley focuses on the commemoration of the two milestones of the town’s parish, namely the 600th death anniversary and the quadricentennial (400th year) of the presence of the town’s patron saint, Saint Vincent Ferrer, in the municipality. Balon Bayambang (New Bayambang) hence prepares for a week filled with merriment and exuberance, April 5, 2019 being also the 405^th Pista’y Baley and which will highlight the Jubilee celebration of St. Vincent FerrerParish Church.

Towering over the central district of Bayambang is the Church of the Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish – an imposingly grandiose and historical edifice where the municipality’s patron saint, St. Vincent Ferrer, is enshrined. The church, built in the early 17th century, is a combination of achievements in Spanish and Filipino art and architecture, craftsmanship, and engineering.

Due to the damages brought about by the elements and natural calamities, the church has undergone some repairs and structural changes from the time it was built to the present.

Dr. Clarita Jimenez, one of the most prominent daughters of Bayambang, describes the church as, “A silent witness to the town’s history of trials and triumphs. Above all, it has been a solemn sanctuary for prayer and worship for the religious, industrious, cooperative, and friendly parishioners.”

Bayambang is also most fortunate and privileged to have a remnant of the saint in its possession. In a chalice strategically installed at the center of the Prayer Room of the parish can be found a relic of Saint Vincent Ferrer. While deep in prayer to feel as though the saint is there with them, devotees can glance at the relic as they search for something deeper within themselves and feel a comforting presence that guides their souls.

One of greatest miracle workers in the history of the Catholic Church, St. Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419) moved in the limelight before both ordinary and great people of the world. St. Vincent Ferrer, a Dominican priest, was born in Valencia, Spain on January 23, 1350 to Guillem Ferrer and Constancia Miquel who were both nobles. He entered the Dominican order at the age of 15 and was ordained priest in 1378.

This Dominican preacher lived during one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the church, during the time of the Western Schism. St. Vincent preached not only in Spainand France but also in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.

The patron saint of builders

St. Vincent Ferrer is the patron saint of builders because of his fame for "building up" and strengthening the Church: through his preaching, missionary work, and his teachings.

All his life he felt that he was called to carry the gospel not only to Christians, but also the Jews, the Muslims, and some heretical sects. Some would consider it a conservative estimate that St. Vincent Ferrer converted 25,000 Jews and 8,000 Moors; his total number of conversions was around 200,000 souls, among them Moors, Jews, heretics, and apostate Catholics.

Reputed to have received the gift of tongues, St. Vincent once converted 10,000 Jews at one time by marching right into their synagogue and preaching to them. Consequently, the Jews turned their synagogue into a Catholic Church.

Epic accolade to Bayambang’s overseer and guardian

Saint Vincent Ferrer has been a beacon of faith in Bayambang for hundreds of years, and his presence has been incessantly felt by Bayambangueños through the Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish Church. He remains to be a symbol of devotion for the people of Bayambang, and the influence that he has had on the local culture is undeniable.

Many devotees of St. Vincent Ferrer believe that it is their revered patron who perpetually saves them from the onslaught of natural calamities. Historical archives have it that near Palma of Majorca, St. Vincent Ferrer stilled a storm in order to preach from a wharf. At Beziers he stopped a flood. And Bayambang, which he oversees as the patron saint, was saved on several occasions from natural calamities.

This is why the church, with the assistance of Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, his wife, Mary Clare Judith Phyllis Jose-Quiambao, and several private firms, is spearheading the construction of the Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park in the heart of the town of Bayambang which is politically subdivided into 77 barangays, 11 of which are urban barangays and 66 are rural barangays.

The groundbreaking ceremony held on June 20, 2018 marked the beginning of a bigger and better future for the town. Saint Vincent Ferrer’s 50.23-meter monument was erected in Barangay Bani as a testament to the Bayambangueños’ never-ending love for and gratitude to the patron saint of builders.

The park will serve as a place of serenity, not just for Bayambangueños, but for anyone seeking spiritual help and guidance.

A winged statue

St. Vincent Ferrer identified himself as "The Angel of the Judgment" and preached as if the end of the world were near. He is often pictured with wings. Religious data indicate accounts which state that multitudes of people have witnessed him, in the middle of preaching, suddenly assume wings and fly off to help some suffering person. He would return in the same manner and continue preaching.

St. Vincent was also renowned as a healer. At the gates of Vannes he cured a great number of the sick. At Guerande he delivered a man possessed by the devil and more dead than alive.

In France he had the British victors at Caen praying together with the defeated French for a sick man, who was then cured--and all of them, enemies or not, shouted for joy. At Leride he cured a cripple in the presence of the king.

St. Vincent is also known to have summoned dead people back to life. The author, Fr. Andrew Pradel, states that St. Vincent Ferrer "resuscitated more than 30 persons during his lifetime."

As such, he was believed to be the "Angel of the Judgment." In his own words, he declared while preaching to thousands at Salamanca: "I am the Angel of the Apocalypse and am preaching Judgment!" Then he proceeded to prove his claim by ordering a dead woman to return to life. To the awe of said multitude in Salamanca, the dead woman sat up.

Prayer Park with chapel, fountains, candle-lighting area and business stalls

The current parish priest of St. Vincent Ferrer Church, Rev. Fr. Allen O. Romero, said that the land from God is being developed to become “a beautiful place where people can go and have peace of mind, where pilgrims from different places can visit, and where people can pray and meditate and venerate our patron.”

A chapel will be situated just beside the statue to serve as a place of meditation where devotees can find peace and serenity during their visit. The chapel is added to the master plan because, despite the expected influx of tourists, there needs to be a solemn spot where they can pray and reflect.

At the center of the rotunda will be a fountain, a calming presence to welcome visitors to the Prayer Park. The water element is added to the park because of the weight of its importance to Catholicism. For Catholics, water is a symbol for purification and cleansing. This is why Catholics dip their fingers in holy water before attending a holy mass and why water is poured over a baby’s head during baptism. This element adds to the overall solemnity and tranquility of the Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park.

Like any other religious spaces, an area where devotees can light candles is important to have. At the Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park, the candle-lighting area is situated just at the back of the 50.23-meter high structure. It will be a spot where devotees can pray for the illumination of their minds and souls, and as the light from the candle keeps glowing, the faith of the devotees keeps on burning.

Situated near the chapel and candle-lighting area are the stalls that will be erected to provide a venue where devotees can buy their food, candles, or souvenirs.

Because the park is expected to attract many tourists from all around the Philippines and even the world, Bayambangueños would like to showcase what else the town has to offer by marketing the different delicacies and products that are proudly made in Bayambang.

Aside from marketing the prides of the town, this will also give the locals a great source of revenue, which is one of the major goals of the project.