The word “Aranzazu” is an unusual term especially for those who are not residing in San Mateo. The term “Aranzazu” is permanently associated to San Mateo, Rizal for its popular Marian devotion and the unique title of the town’s acclaimed patron saint; Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu. The Virgin of Aranzazu serves as the symbol of hope among the people for three centuries. But the name “Aranzazu” is not only use as the title for the Blessed Mother, it is also use as a person’s name.
The word “Aranzazu” is a Basque word referring to a place abounded with thorns. As stated by some innate elder residents, during the old days in San Mateo the female born child of the family shall be named ‘Aranzazu’ in honor of the town’s principal patroness Ntra Sra de Aranzazu. This naming custom for the female children became a tradition of the town during the early Spanish era. This practice was a strong influence of the Spaniards of naming the child after the saint whose feast day is celebrated on the day of its birth.
According to Architect Jojo Catindig of Katipunang Pangkasaysayan ng San Mateo, Rizal Inc., this claim can be confirmed by an archival document that can be found in the book of Vinetas de Filipinas: Aranzazu en San Mateo, Rizal written by Fr. Miguel Selga S.J., The original manuscript was written in Spanish and was later translated to Filipino by Arch. Catindig. It states that:
“..Segun atestignaban los libros parroquiales apena habia familia donde no hubiese alguna nina designada con el nombre de Maria de Aranzazu desde el dia del bautismo..”
“..Sa talaang aklat ng simbahan ay matutunghayan na halos lahat ng pamilya sa parokya (ng Aranzazu) na may anak na babae ay binibigyan ng pangalan alinsunod sa ngalang ‘Maria de Aranzazu’ mula sa araw ng pagbibinyag..”
“..Based on the parish record books that can be found, almost all the families under the parish (Aranzazu church) with a female child was given a name in accordance with the name ‘Maria de Aranzazu’ from the day of baptism..”
Furtheremore, the parish’s oldest baptismal record books and computer-generated record dated 1949-1996 states that there were estimated 20 female children baptized in the parish with a name ‘Aranzazu’. However, the pre-war baptismal records of the parish were destroyed during the Second World War. There are still three remaining ladies of San Mateo with the name Aranzazu: Aranzazu Blanche, Aranzazu Cresido-Mateo, and Aranzazu Salen-Bonilla:
- Aring Blanche
Sis. Aranzazu Blanche or “Sis. Aring” is a resident of Barangay Dulong Bayan I. She was born on May 26, 1951, it was her parents’ choice to name her Aranzazu.
“Aranzazu ang ipinangalan sa akin ng aking mga magulang dahil Mayo 26 ako ipinanganak at ito ay malapit sa lumang kapistahan ng Mahal na Birhen. Natutuwa ako dahil unique ang ‘Aranzazu’ kaya lang hindi ito alam ng ibang tao, lalo na’t hirap sila sa spelling nito..”
She is the coordinator of San Mateo Chapel (the secondary patron of the pueblo). She is also a member of Ministry of Lectors in the Parish of Ntra Sra de Aranzazu. She express her devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu by attending monthly novena and offering flowers to the Virgin’s oratory.
2. Aranzazu Mateo-Cresido
“Ate Aring” is part of PREX seminar (batch 64) which was held last November 2016. Her batch-mates were all astounded when they found out that her real name was ‘Aranzazu’. Their ancestral house stands along Gen. Luna Street in Guitnang Bayan I, near the church of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu. She was born on May 17, 1959, the old feast day of the Virgin of Aranzazu in San Mateo. Her name is a combination of the two much-admired patron saints of the town: Virgen de Aranzazu and San Mateo. It was her mother’s decision (Fausra Mateo) to name her ‘Aranzazu’ because of her fervent devotion to Our Lady:
“Masaya ako dahil pangalan ng Mahal na Birhen ang pangalan ko at ang apilyedo ko ay Mateo, kaya taal na taga San Mateo ako”
“I am glad because my name was taken from Our Lady and my surname is Mateo. Therefore, I am an authentic resident of San Mateo.
3. Aranzazu Bonilla
The story of her birth was very significant to the Virgin of Aranzazu. The old feast day of the Virgin of Aranzazu in San Mateo is celebrated every Pentecost Sunday in which at that time fall on June 9, 1957. However, due to bad weather condition and unceasing rain at that time, the fiesta procession was moved on June 15, 1957 (Saturday) the day of the birth of Sis. Aranzazu Bonilla.
“ Kasabay ng paglabas ng prusisyon ng Birhen ng Aranzazu sa simbahan ay kasabay din ng paglabas ko sa sinapupunan ng aking Ina. Tumtunog noon ang kampana sa simbahan kung saan dinig sa aming tahanan, kaya’t napagpasyahan nila na ako ay ipangalan sa Mahal na Birhen ng Aranzazu.”
She was born in the Salen ancestral house near the church of Our Lady of Aranzazu. The church bell became the instrument of the decision of her parents to name her “Aranzazu”.
She is the owner of Bonilla Hardware and Cloud Café which stands along the main road of San Mateo a few meters away from the Church of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu. She is an Auxiliary member of Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu (formerly Cofradia de N.S de Aranzazu). She joined the Association together with her sister Baby Ariola. The group is the primary organization responsible for managing and overseeing the image and paraphernalia of Our Lady of Aranzazu as well as the promotion of the devotion to Our Lady.
“Sa aking pakiramdam, ako’y mapalad dahil nataon ang aking kapanganakan ay kapistahan ng Virgen ng Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa kanya, kahit maaga akong nabalo, naitaguyod kong mag isa ang aking tatlong anak sa tulong niya, dahil alam kong siya ang gumabay at pumatnubay sa akin. Maraming salamat sa kabutihan at dakilang pag-ibig. Viva la Virgen!”
The naming custom truthfully turned into tradition of the town beforehand, but then, having a name ‘Aranzazu’ in this present-day is quite sporadic. They are also similar in terms of their nicknames which are “Aring”. But these three fortunate ladies are so proud. They are so blessed to bear the name of their miraculous patroness who upkeep and protect the whole town from their ancestors up to the present and future residents of San Mateo. She is the reigning Queen and Mother of San Mateo, the treasure and the light of the whole Pueblo. (Christian Robles)
Christian Jasper Robles
Senior Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
Christian is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He is a member of the writer’s team of Aranzazu Media and Public Information Ministry. A singer, performer, writer, church servant, and a Marian devotee. Currently, he is the secretary of Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu- Cofradia and member of Avant-Garde Singers. Passionate about writing different local religious traditions and Mariology matters; Christian is strongly dedicated in promoting and propagating the devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu.
