THE SILENT SENTINEL

SYNOPSIS

San Pablo Church has been the sentinel protecting the people of the Cagayan Valley throughout all of the tumultuous and sanguinary history of the Philippines. As one of the oldest churches in the entire Philippines archipelago it has faithfully served its people for close to three hundred years going back to the days of the Spanish friars. Now it lies in a near ruinous state watching silently as other more-celebrated Philippine churches undergo highly-publicized renovations.

 

Despite crushing poverty the people of the Cagayan Valley have begun the monumental process of rebuilding their church-certainly the largest from the Spanish colonial days and one of the most significant in terms of the establishment of Catholicism in all of Asia. This reconstruction has been guided by a handful of dedicated priests, concerned parishioners, and friends from all provinces of the Philippines as well as all corners of the world.

James E. Cleland has set out to justify a complete renovation of this landmark church which currently enjoys no assistance from any governmental or private agency. Parallels are drawn with successful American restoration efforts.


The Silent Sentinel reveals a three-hundred year history of this historic adobe-and-stone church: the forced migrations of its people, droughts, earthquakes, epidemics, and vicious typhoons, fighting between the people and the Spanish, a violent war for independence, the Second World War with the painful occupation of the Imperial Japanese Army. It has lived to see the early days of freedom as the Philippines became a sovereign nation.


This book, as well, alerts the reader to the remarkable story of the design of San Pablo Church- the unique architectural innovations used by the Spanish friars and their Filipino craftsmen-which justifies a complete and faithful renovation in and of itself.

CRITIC REVIEWS

I just finished your book and wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed it. Your extensive research made it part text book, part biography of the Philippine people, and also a powerful acknowledgement of your passionate personal crusade to save the church! I believe you eloquently captured the rich history of the Cagayan Valley and I hope the Cagayan Valley Association of Chicago keeps their vigil alive.


Kudos on the impressive undertaking of your book!


–Patricia Saldaña Natke, AIA

Founding Partner, UrbanWorks

Cleland sets forth justification for a complete renovation of St. Paul the Apostle as a landmark church. He reveals how the church has impacted the formation of the Philippine nation. He pays tribute to the architectural design and originality of the Spanish friars and Filipino craftsmen. He points out the impact and influence of the clergy on government and the people of the Philippines during the colonial period...


In the midst of poverty the people of the Cagayan Valley have begun the process of rebuilding their church, one of the largest, oldest, and most significant churches influential in establishing Catholicism in the Philippines and other countries of Asia...

Cleland's writing is highly readable, interesting, informative, and inspirational.


"The Silent Sentinel" will be of keen interest to historians, to students of architecture, to seminarians, and to concerned lay Christians who want to be a part of preserving their heritage.


-Richard R. Blake

Reader Views (10/09)

Being a history teacher of both European and American history, I know relatively little about the history of the Philippines, save when the island nation was being used by one of the great world powers. The Silent Sentinel takes a unique approach to uncovering the history of the northern province of Isabela, using the Church of San Pablo to bear witness to the Spanish colonization and exploitation of the country, all the way through to the Japanese and American combat during World War II. Lesser-known events like the Tobacco Monopoly and the impact of the Dominicans are also researched and discussed throughout the book. The Church was built for the Filipino people by Filipino hands, and now records the history of its nation in its very stones.

 

While this is an academic work that includes much discussion on the architecture of the church, I found the chapters on the Spanish creation of the San Pablo and its Baroque influence to be most interesting, and those on the impact of World War II on the Filipino people even more intriguing. Typically one reads about events like the Bataan Death March from the point of view of the Americans, or possibly the Japanese, so this was a fresh perspective as seen by the Filipinos. San Pablo Church is incredibly significant, despite some of its adobe structure having been destroyed, and the fact that it is being rebuilt is a testament to the need to preserve its legacy.

 

I found this to be an extremely informative read for anyone interested in Baroque architecture, the history of the Philippines, or history in general.


–Stephanie Thornton

Historical Fiction Author

READER REVIEWS

"Cleland's extensive research process for his book began in 2000 with his reading everything he could locate in English on Philippine history. After three years, he hired a Spanish language expert to assist him in culling data from literature in that language.'Then several of my friends and associates who are Filipino would do the Philippine translations' " "...The scholarly book contains over 50 pages of sources and bibliographic details."


– Myrna Petlicki, Pioneer Press

"Makes me want to travel to the Philippines to experience the culture first hand."



– Sgt. Tony Meldahl, US Army, (Retired) military historian for the late author, Iris Chang

"I have finished reading it and appreciated the interest and the enthusiasm for preserving such a monument. I know its value because I have also lived in Europe and in Spain and in Italy and saw their concern for preservation of historical structures."


– Bishop Joseph Nacua, Catholic Bishop of Ilagan and Isabela Dioceses in the Philippines

AWARDS

Pinnacle Book Achievement Award

Co-winner in the History Category, 2008 North American Retail Booksellers Association

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