San Juan de Dios Church

History Background

•  Saint John of God Parish Church also known as San Juan de

Dios Parish or the San Rafael Parish Church is a Roman
Catholic Church situated in Poblacion, San Rafael, Bulacan,
built in 19th century. From the time it was built, the original
structures of the church remain standing at the present
time.
•             This church has a tragic history as it is the place
where the Battle of San Rafael took place on November 30,
1896. In this battle between the Filipino Revolutionaries
leaded by General Anacleto “Matanglawin” Enriquez and
the Spanish Army headed by Commandant Lopez Arteaga.
 WHAT MAKES IT MORE HISTORICAL?

• People of San Rafael believe that Dr. Jose Rizal was

inspired to create the characters of Sisa, Crispin and
Basilio (in his novel Noli Me Tangere) by real-life
story in San Rafael. Members of SAMPAKA or
Samahang Pang Kasaysayan ng Bulacan strongly
believes that some parts of the novel were
happened in this town. PCY-President said that San
Rafael and the church of San Juan de Dios were
exactly the same with the description of Rizal in his
novel.
• According to the National Historical Commission of the
Philippines, it is possible that the character of Sisa, Crispin,
and Basilyo were based on the real life of people from
Bulacan. Based on a local historian from Bulacan, before
there’s a woman from Hagonoy named Narsisa Crisostomo
who married a man from San Rafael and their house was near
the church of San Juan de Dios.

• Crispin and Basilyo as characters of Noli Me Tangere were

brothers who were serving as bell-ringers in the church. In
one instance, Crispin was accused by the Sacristan Mayor of
stealing an amount of money. Crispin was punished and was
believed to have died inside the church.
• Another thing is the name of Crisostomo
Ibarra’s father is Don Rafael Ibarra wherein
some believed that it was derived from the
original name of the town. Aside from that,
there’s a place in San Rafael named “Pasongng
Intsik or Chinesse Pass” to where the early
merchants of San Rafael resided. In the novel,
Rizal told that Rafael’s body was buried in a
Chinese Cemetery in San Diego.
Thank you !!!