TAKEN IN 1890 by Dean Conant Worcester (1866-1924), an American zoologist who later became a member of the United States Philippine Commission from 1899-1901, this is the only surviving photograph of the original church and convent of Balete, then a town in Capiz and now part of the province of Aklan.

This photograph is an albumen print, the first commercially exploitable method of producing a photographic print on a paper base from a negative. It used the albumen found in egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper and became the dominant form of photographic positives from 1855 to the turn of the century, with a peak in the 1860-90 period.

This photograph now forms part of the collection of the University of Michigan, where Worcester was a zoology professor. Worcester, who served as secretary of the interior for the Philippine Insular Government from 1901 to 1913, died in 1924 at the age of 58.

Balete was founded as a pueblo in Capiz in 1826 and historical records showed that the building of its church was started in 1856. The convent was built simultaneously. Worcester presumably took this photograph between September and December 1890. He and his colleague Dr. Frank Bourns arrived in the Philippines on September 6, 1890.

Aklan province, in which Balete is now a part of, was created by law in 1956 with 17 municipalities separating from Capiz.

Click on the images to view larger file.

2 Responses to “Balete Church and Convent, 1890”

• 1
  al f. de la cruz
  March 10th, 2008 14:33

  my research into the local history of Balete did point to 1826 (as the 33rd pueblo of Capiz). It was however an approximation. I wonder if you have bases (manuscripts) to substantiate it. Your info on Drs. Worcester and Bourns is however an eye opener. Thanks
• 2
  admin
  March 10th, 2008 15:56

  1826 as a date was based on “Understanding Balete: An Approximation of the History of Balete as A Pueblo, An Arabal and A Municipality” which you wrote… apologies if the date appeared to have been definite… this site stands corrected… thanks!

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