Cover Paz San Buenaventura (Photo: Dave Davis/ ACME correspondent)
Paz San Buenaventura (Photo: Dave Davis/ ACME correspondent)
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The Philippines is home to at least 76 million Catholics, some of them are nuns who have made remarkable feats in their respective lifetimes. Tatler lists some of them in this write-up
The Philippines, being a dominantly Catholic nation, nurtures values and beliefs that are promulgated by the church. While others like to keep the tradition alive by praying, coming to church, and joining noble and godly causes, a few others devote their lives to being priests or nuns.
In case you missed it: Hispanic Catholic Churches in The Philippines: Haven of Faith and Repository of Art
Listed below are some of the country's most notable nuns:
1. Martha de San Bernardo
Above (Photo: Mikhail Nilov/Pexels)
(Photo: Mikhail Nilov/Pexels)
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Sister Martha de San Bernardo is a Spanish-speaking Filipino native from an affluent family in Pampanga province. Inspired by the lives led by Colettine Poor Clare nuns, San Bernardo wished to become a nun at a young age.
Among San Bernardo's challenges is her non-admission to the monastery because of the colonial regulations imposed by the Spanish Empire.
The nun persevered, and in 1633, with the assistance of the Minister General of the Franciscan Order, she was sent to a newly opened monastery in the Portuguese colony of Macau. There she was formally received by the Colettine Order.
2. Sister Paz San Buenaventura
Above Paz San Buenaventura (Photo: Dave Davis/ ACME correspondent)
Paz San Buenaventura (Photo: Dave Davis/ ACME correspondent)
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Sister Paz San Buenaventura of Cebu witnessed a cold-blooded murder on March 26, 1954. At the time, she saw two American natives and five Filipino prisoners tortured and eventually beheaded by Japanese Lt Col Isamu Morimoto.
The nun did not think twice at the prosecution and testified against the Japanese culprits. Her testimony helped capture all the Japanese officials involved in the gruesome and horrifying crime.
Related: Tatler Deep Dive: A Glimpse Into Marian Devotion in the Philippines
3. Porferia 'Pingping' Ocariza
(Photo: Daughters of Saint Paul Philippines )
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If you have been searching a lot about the EDSA People Power Uprising, you might have stumbled upon the photo of Sister "Pingping" Ocariza and her rosary. In an interview with Catholic News Service, Ocariza recalled her experience during the rally that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
"At the time, when we were facing the tanks, I believed heavily that God was there. God was there as if the seed [of democracy] was being planted," she said.
"Sabi ng mga tao, 'Sisters, diyan kayo sa harap ng mga tangke dahil wala kayong pamilya!'" (The people said, "Sisters, go in front of the tanks because you don't have families anyway!")
Sister Ping Ping died on December 23, 2020. She was 63.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
