Oldest Roman Catholic relic in the Philippines?

In the Oct, 24, 2011 issue of the Inquirer, there was a news report about the Balangiga bells that were taken by the American soldiers during the Filipino-American war 110 years ago. It states that one bell is marked “1853,” another, “1889,” and the third, “1896.

May I point out that the church bell in Barangay Dapdap (formerly called Tinago), Tarangnan town in Western Samar, has a visible marking of “1453,” and therefore could be considered the oldest Roman Catholic relic in the oldest Catholic Church in the country.

It may be noted further that it was in Barangay Dapdap, Tarangnan, Samar, where the Spaniards (Jesuits and later Franciscans) constructed the old church on top of the hill in 1596, together with a water well that many call a “Wishing Well” because, up to now, it draws pilgrims who believe the water there can cure ailments and diseases.

Also, the people of Barangay Dapdap and Tarangnan adopted St. Francis of Assisi as their patron saint.

—JOSE “PEPITO” A. LUCERO,

San Francisco Street,

Tarangnan, Samar