The famous bamboo organ in Las Pinas, Philippines., the builder was a priest, Father Diego Cera. It was begun in 1816, heard in worship in 1821 and called “complete’ in 1824 with the addition of a horizontal trumpet stop. The instrument is made almost entirely using bamboo. The horizontal reed pipes are in fact metal.
Fr. Cera began work on the organ in 1816, while the church was still under construction, and the organ was completed in 1824. During Fr. Cera’s lifetime, disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons damaged both church and organ and 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. Somewhat unexpectedly reassembled early in the 20th century, partial restoration took place from time to time up through World War II.
The organ endured its harsh environment for many years but was finally declared unplayable in 1972, shipped to the Klais firm in Germany in 1973, rebuilt in a climate-controlled facility that replicated its “home” conditions. It was returned and re-installed in 1975. The organ has a single keyboard, divided. It was designed and built in a Spanish style.
The National Museum of the Philippines officially declared the Las Piñas Bamboo Organ a ‘National Cultural Treasure’ on November 24, 2003 for its uniqueness and significance. To retain a high standard of quality and reliability, the Bamboo Organ underwent a general overhaul from September, 2003 to November, 2004. This time, the work was done locally by Europe-trained organbuilders of the Diego Cera Organbuilders, Inc. who are also tasked to maintain the instrument so that future generations will be assured of hearing and experiencing the unique sound of a Philippine treasure.
From 1992 until present, Prof. Armando Salarza is the Titular Organist of the Bamboo Organ. Currently, he is also the Artistic Director of the International Bamboo Organ Festival. The 34th International Bamboo Organ Festival was held last February 2009 and is considered to be the longest-running International Festival in the Philippines.
The parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque. Its present parish priest is Rev. Msgr. Albert Venus. Msgr. Allen Aganon, parish priest from 1999 to 2004, is currently serving his missionary work in Peru.
Vaclav Havel Airport Prague - International airport in Prague Formerly Prague Ruzyně International Airport, it… Read More
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup - International men's field hockey tournament The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup… Read More
David Thompson, the greatest practical land geographer that the world has produced ,(30 April 1770… Read More
Bessie Coleman - The First African American woman pilot Coleman, or Queen Bess as she… Read More
Jeanne Baret - The first woman to circumnavigate the globe Jeanne Baret was a talented… Read More
2nd Asian games 1954 Manila in Philippines The second edition of the Asian Games was… Read More