Bario Wawa, a modest barrio with vast farm land, fascinating and charming greenfields located in the heart of Palanyag known now as Paranaque. Its early inhabitants were mostly farmers who came all the way from Pandi, Plaridel, Bocaue, Malibo, Bunsuran and Sta. Maria, all from the province of Bulacan,to live and make this barrio their home. The early dwellers were attracted to settle here because of the richness of its land and its promise of a better life. According to stories told “perpitaryos” or landowners gave better treatment to their tillers than in other barrios. They provided the nipa hut (kubo) where the farmers lived, the carabaos they used for plowing and paid for the expenses incurred in the cultivation of the land. Besides these, the farmers received a 50% share in the earnings of the land. Aside from farming, some were engaged in fishing and salt making. The community with less than thirty families was peaceful and serene. The houses made of bamboo and “pawid” were far from each other but this did not make the peoples indifferent to each other. They toiled in the fields, they talked and conversed in their gathering and far from each other, their thoughts, mind and aspirations were characterized by unity and harmony.
In February 1937, the image of ST. AUGUSTINE through the generosity of Impong Torang and the sisters: Maria, Luisa and Angela of the nearby barrio of La Huerta, was brought to Barrio Wawa. In the same year, the "katandaan" or elders under the leadership of Isidro dela Cruz and others built a simple "kapilya" or chapel at Villa Alano now Purok 4. Before the year ended, a very strong storm damaged and left the chapel in ruins. The community, unfazed by this natural calamity, reurrected the chapel and after two years, under the leadership of another elder leader Ka Bushio, transferred the chapel to a new location, to a place where the parish church now stands. The land was donated by Papong Dandong, the father of Ka Berta Pascual, a landowner from Barrio La Huerta. It was in February 1946 the first "fiesta" celebration was held here. February because this was the month after the harvest and the community celebrates and gives thanks for their bountiful harvests to the accompaniment of a band and a procession. In December, a thanksgiving mass is held for the fruitful year that passed and in anticipation of another abundant year.
In 1950, another group of elders took the initiative of building a more permanent and strong structure characterized by uniqueness and simplicity. The construction of the church included the participation of the women-elders. To raise funds for the chapel and to be able to buy a bigger image of St. Augustine, the danced in each house wearing colourful costumes and "sumbrero" to the delight of the owner of the house.
The 60's and the 70's were the years that the number of families living in Barrio Wawa began to increase. This vast farm land was transformed into a small Barangay. The lands were developed into subdivisions and villages. Nipa huts became concrete houses with some retaining the distinction and beauty of their ancestral houses. Thus, this fast changing environment and community required a bigger place of worship for a bigger worshipping community. >> continue to next page
Sponsored by Fullblast Productions
