So it started during the APEC Summit in the metro, a rerouting scheme that was implemented by the MMDA that the jeepneys that was going to Imus was not available in the usual route which was just in-front of Baclaran Church. I was advised to take the jeepneys going to Zapote instead, it was a long and exhausting travel that I faced just to get to Cavite.
After that day I learned that there was two-church that I will be passing with on that route, not knowing that the renowned Las Piñas Bamboo Organ was just beyond my reach at this time. This century-old-church was one of my dream destinations as the said ‘bamboo organ’ remains a mystery to me. The questions such as how these bamboos are able to play such melody, and also I wanted to hear it personally to end that wonder.
After that day I learned that there was two-church that I will be passing with on that route, not knowing that the renowned Las Piñas Bamboo Organ was just beyond my reach at this time. This century-old-church was one of my dream destinations as the said ‘bamboo organ’ remains a mystery to me. The questions such as how these bamboos are able to play such melody, and also I wanted to hear it personally to end that wonder.
Popularly known as the Las Piñas Bamboo Organ, St. Joseph Parish Church in Las Piñas City is a 19th century church organ with unique organ pipes that are entirely made of bamboo. Built between 1797 and 1819, the church has an earthquake Baroque architectural style and is mainly made out of adobe stones. The construction of the church was completed in 1824 by father Diego Cera de la Virgen del Carmen, the builder of the town’s stone church and its first resident Catholic parish priest.
Having previously built organs in the Manila area with some organ stops made from bamboo, he chose bamboo for most of this organ – only the trumpet stops are made of metal. The choice of bamboo was probably both practical and aesthetic - bamboo was abundant and used for hundreds of items of both a practical and an artistic nature.
Fr. Cera began work on the organ in 1816, while the church was still under construction. He gathered and buried under beach sand the bamboos he would use. It is assumed to have been conducted in October-December 1816 since as a natural scientist he knew that bamboos to be used must be tough, mature, and enduring. Burying them would protect them from insects. In 1817, Fr. Cera unearthed the bamboo pieces.
Together with the natives, he trained them prior to the gathering of materials, then proceeded to the construction of the organ. The organ was playable in 1851, secretly conieving with Swiss chemist Jacques E. Brandenberger which was employed by Blanchisserie et Teinturerie de Thaonbut, the cellophane inventor for the air bags to be used in the construction but without the trumpet stops.
Having previously built organs in the Manila area with some organ stops made from bamboo, he chose bamboo for most of this organ – only the trumpet stops are made of metal. The choice of bamboo was probably both practical and aesthetic - bamboo was abundant and used for hundreds of items of both a practical and an artistic nature.
Fr. Cera began work on the organ in 1816, while the church was still under construction. He gathered and buried under beach sand the bamboos he would use. It is assumed to have been conducted in October-December 1816 since as a natural scientist he knew that bamboos to be used must be tough, mature, and enduring. Burying them would protect them from insects. In 1817, Fr. Cera unearthed the bamboo pieces.
Together with the natives, he trained them prior to the gathering of materials, then proceeded to the construction of the organ. The organ was playable in 1851, secretly conieving with Swiss chemist Jacques E. Brandenberger which was employed by Blanchisserie et Teinturerie de Thaonbut, the cellophane inventor for the air bags to be used in the construction but without the trumpet stops.
At first, he attempted to use bamboo for one hundred and twenty two pipes. His experiment failed and eventually were used as ornamental pipes located at the rear side. The organ was finally completed in 1824, after Fr. Cera decided make the trumpets using metal, musical characteristics of which he could not replicate with bamboo.
Within a span of one week, three earthquakes occurred (July 14, 18, and 20) and heavily damaged the organ. In October 1882, typhoon hit the country causing the rise of flood water, reaching within the church's vicinity. Dismantled portions of the organ were found adrift in the flood waters that entered the church. After the incident, the Gobernadorcillo and other prominent residents of Las Piñas pleaded help from the central administration in Manila.
During Fr. Cera's lifetime, disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons damaged both the church and the organ. Fr. Cera himself was the organ's first "restorer." Down through the years, natural disasters continued to take their toll; the organ was unplayable for years.
Within a span of one week, three earthquakes occurred (July 14, 18, and 20) and heavily damaged the organ. In October 1882, typhoon hit the country causing the rise of flood water, reaching within the church's vicinity. Dismantled portions of the organ were found adrift in the flood waters that entered the church. After the incident, the Gobernadorcillo and other prominent residents of Las Piñas pleaded help from the central administration in Manila.
During Fr. Cera's lifetime, disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons damaged both the church and the organ. Fr. Cera himself was the organ's first "restorer." Down through the years, natural disasters continued to take their toll; the organ was unplayable for years.
In February 1883, repairs on the organ were carried out through the combined contributions among the government, town residents, and the Archbishop. A total of two hundred seventy pesos was the cost of the repair. In 1888, Fr. Saturio Albeniz headed the project of improving of the organ. The project was not fully completed, further degrading the condition of the organ. In 1891, the organ repaired once again.
In February 1883, repairs on the organ were carried out through the combined contributions among the government, town residents, and the Archbishop. A total of two hundred seventy pesos was the cost of the repair. In 1888, Fr. Saturio Albeniz headed the project of improving of the organ. The project was not fully completed, further degrading the condition of the organ. In 1891, the organ repaired once again.
After age and numerous disasters had rendered the musical instrument unplayable for a long time, in 1972, the national government and the local community joined together to have the organ shipped to Germany for restoration. For its anticipated return in 1975, the home church of the bamboo organ and the surrounding buildings were restored to their 19th-century state by Architect Francisco Mañosa and partner Ludwig Alvarez in time for its scheduled return. The annual International Bamboo Organ Festival, a music festival of classical music was started to celebrate the music of the reborn instrument and its unique sound.
In 1909, an attempt was made to sell the organ and substitute it by a harmonium. However, "Capitan Pedro" opposed this, and paid for the repair work. Unfortunately, only two stops were rehabilitated. Although highly deteriorated it continued to attract tourists.
In February 1883, repairs on the organ were carried out through the combined contributions among the government, town residents, and the Archbishop. A total of two hundred seventy pesos was the cost of the repair. In 1888, Fr. Saturio Albeniz headed the project of improving of the organ. The project was not fully completed, further degrading the condition of the organ. In 1891, the organ repaired once again.
After age and numerous disasters had rendered the musical instrument unplayable for a long time, in 1972, the national government and the local community joined together to have the organ shipped to Germany for restoration. For its anticipated return in 1975, the home church of the bamboo organ and the surrounding buildings were restored to their 19th-century state by Architect Francisco Mañosa and partner Ludwig Alvarez in time for its scheduled return. The annual International Bamboo Organ Festival, a music festival of classical music was started to celebrate the music of the reborn instrument and its unique sound.
In 1909, an attempt was made to sell the organ and substitute it by a harmonium. However, "Capitan Pedro" opposed this, and paid for the repair work. Unfortunately, only two stops were rehabilitated. Although highly deteriorated it continued to attract tourists.
In 1970, Rev. Fr. Mark Lesage, C.I.C.M., and his assistant, Fr. Leo Renier set out consulting with several authorities on bamboo organ. Mr. Jose Loinaz and Fr. Schablitzki strongly suggested a total repair. On the other hand, Fr. John van der Steen, C.I.C.M. echoed the need for total restoration. In the end, the crucial and sensitive work was shifted to Johannes Klais Orgelbau (firm) and Mr. Hans Gerd Klais, one of the best organ builders and garnered extensive experiences in restoring Spanish organs. The implementation of the restoration work was firmed up.
Only 1/3 of the Bamboo Organ was functioning during that time. During the inauguration of the Las Piñas Church in 1972, Mr. Klais visited and assessed the bamboo organ. He remarked that the organ can still be repaired, but only in the factory of the firm of Klais. An estimated cost of 200,000 DM (Php 460,000 at that time) was needed, excluding transportation tickets for the technician, and other expenses.
In March 1973, two technicians of the Klais firm, Joseph Tramnitz and Joseph Pick, arrived at Las Piñas and dismantled the bamboo organ. The repair of the bamboo pipes was done in Japan under Mr. Tsuda, also trained by Mr. Klais himself. The other parts of the organ were shipped to Germany. A special room, called KLIMAKAMMER, was built in his factory – having same temperature and humidity of the Philippines to prevent shrinking of bamboos.
In February 1974, the restoration job was carried out. He enlarged the original plan of Fr. Cera. The old bellows of the organ were replaced. At present, the new bellows were located at one side of the choir loft and beside the belfry.
Only 1/3 of the Bamboo Organ was functioning during that time. During the inauguration of the Las Piñas Church in 1972, Mr. Klais visited and assessed the bamboo organ. He remarked that the organ can still be repaired, but only in the factory of the firm of Klais. An estimated cost of 200,000 DM (Php 460,000 at that time) was needed, excluding transportation tickets for the technician, and other expenses.
In March 1973, two technicians of the Klais firm, Joseph Tramnitz and Joseph Pick, arrived at Las Piñas and dismantled the bamboo organ. The repair of the bamboo pipes was done in Japan under Mr. Tsuda, also trained by Mr. Klais himself. The other parts of the organ were shipped to Germany. A special room, called KLIMAKAMMER, was built in his factory – having same temperature and humidity of the Philippines to prevent shrinking of bamboos.
In February 1974, the restoration job was carried out. He enlarged the original plan of Fr. Cera. The old bellows of the organ were replaced. At present, the new bellows were located at one side of the choir loft and beside the belfry.
Minor repairs and improvements were executed to the instrument under the general restoration conducted by Klais Orgelbau. It held very well around thirty years.
In 1990, Helmut Allgaeuer replaced the bone plates of the keyboard. In 1993, Cealwyn Tagle and the late Edgar Montiano took over the maintenance of the instrument. They had to do minor jobs on broken trackers, hairline cracks, and keyboard adjustments.
Since 1992, Prof. Armando Salarza has been the titular organist of the Bamboo Organ.[3] He is also the Artistic Director of the International Bamboo Organ Festival, now the longest-running annual international music festival held in the country.
More thorough rehabilitation of the organ became necessary. Problems arose such as unstable intonation. The worn-out leather parts of the instrument needed replacement since they caused air leakage. Many of these leather parts were located in the wind chest – replacing them would resort to disassembling the instrument. From September 2003 to November 2004, the Diego Cera Organbuilders, Incorporated carried out the general overhaul of the instrument under the sponsorship of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts.
In 1990, Helmut Allgaeuer replaced the bone plates of the keyboard. In 1993, Cealwyn Tagle and the late Edgar Montiano took over the maintenance of the instrument. They had to do minor jobs on broken trackers, hairline cracks, and keyboard adjustments.
Since 1992, Prof. Armando Salarza has been the titular organist of the Bamboo Organ.[3] He is also the Artistic Director of the International Bamboo Organ Festival, now the longest-running annual international music festival held in the country.
More thorough rehabilitation of the organ became necessary. Problems arose such as unstable intonation. The worn-out leather parts of the instrument needed replacement since they caused air leakage. Many of these leather parts were located in the wind chest – replacing them would resort to disassembling the instrument. From September 2003 to November 2004, the Diego Cera Organbuilders, Incorporated carried out the general overhaul of the instrument under the sponsorship of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts.
They utilized local pig skin for the necessary parts. Tagle expects that it could last longer compared to sheepskin, which is not ideal for humid Philippine climate and carries a shelf life of only fifteen to twenty years. The Bamboo Organ received new and more modern bellows. The wedge-shaped bellows supplied during 1973–1975 restoration were well and still functioning in 2003 despite defective leather parts.
However, the Diego Cera Organbuilders decided to install up-to-date parallel-moving bellows, which provides even steadier wind supply. Also, they have been working with these bellows in other churches such as San Agustin Church in Intramuros, and other historic organs found in Baclayon, Loboc, and Loay, Bohol.
The organ was declared a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines in 2003. The St. Joseph Parish Church, the church museum at the old convent house, and the famous organ is a popular tourist destination for Filipinos and foreign visitors alike in Las Piñas
The National Museum of the Philippines officially declared the Las Piñas Bamboo Organ a National Cultural Treasure on November 24, 2003. A panel of experts evaluated the instrument and were unanimous in their decision, since it is the only 19th century bamboo organ in the Philippines that has survived and still functioning.
Here are some points justifying its declaration as a National Cultural Treasure:
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo_Organ
However, the Diego Cera Organbuilders decided to install up-to-date parallel-moving bellows, which provides even steadier wind supply. Also, they have been working with these bellows in other churches such as San Agustin Church in Intramuros, and other historic organs found in Baclayon, Loboc, and Loay, Bohol.
The organ was declared a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines in 2003. The St. Joseph Parish Church, the church museum at the old convent house, and the famous organ is a popular tourist destination for Filipinos and foreign visitors alike in Las Piñas
The National Museum of the Philippines officially declared the Las Piñas Bamboo Organ a National Cultural Treasure on November 24, 2003. A panel of experts evaluated the instrument and were unanimous in their decision, since it is the only 19th century bamboo organ in the Philippines that has survived and still functioning.
Here are some points justifying its declaration as a National Cultural Treasure:
- The Las Piñas Bamboo Organ is the only known oldest and largest bamboo organ existing in the world today with a unique and distinct sound as compared to other pipe organs.
- The bamboo used for the organ Bambusa sp. (Gramineane) is identified to be indigenous to Batangas and the Luzon area.
- The transformation of local bamboo into a pipe organ was an important catalyst in the formation of Philippine musical practices.
- The organ stood for the fusion of technological genius and musical aesthetic creativity, in which foreign technology was adapted for local use in music.
- It commemorates the courageous spirit of Filipino people behind the work - that spirit existing from the Filipino bamboo
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo_Organ