THE ENDURING
LEGACY OF SIMON LI TUANQUI
The earliest known Chinese Catholic identified by name
in Bicol history is Simon Li Tuanqui. A pure Chinese, he was described by the 19th
century scholarly Dominican Bishop Francisco Gainza as “an cristianong inchic.” Although he is now most known for donating
the now equally well-known pair of “Li Tuanqui Bells” to the Peñafrancia Shrine
in Nueva Caceres in 1863 and 1868, he shared more than mere bells during his
lifetime. From Nueva Caceres (now Naga City), he later took permanent residence
in Polangui, Albay due to his marriage to local lass Maria Sarte, and thus
became a parishioner and benefactor of the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish. His
extended family in Polangui donated a portion of land to this Parish. The lot
is located behind the Church.
Li Tuanqui’s life as a devotee and philanthropist to
the Peñafrancia Shrine is documented by Bishop Gainza, the 25th
Spanish prelate in the See of Caceres, in the annex to his Bikol account of the
history of the Virgin of Peñafrancia, which was translated to English by Jose
Barrameda Jr. According to verbal accounts obtained by Barrameda from people
who heard descriptions of Li Tuanqui from earlier descendants who either saw
Simon or his pictures, which are now non-existent, or heard of the descriptions
passed on from much older people, Li Tuanqui wore his hair in the traditional
Mandarin Chinese pigtail.
In his early 40’s, Li Tuanqui was baptized by Bishop
Gainza himself, and given the Christian name Simon, after Simon Vela, the
French Marian devotee who, out of divine guidance, found the original image of
the miraculous Lady in Peña de Francia, Spain in 1534.
In 1863, when Bishop Gainza started renovations on the
Peñafrancia Shrine, Simon donated the major portion of the funds for the
belfry. In addition, he gave the first of two “Li Tuanqui Bells.” He donated the
second, identical bell in 1868. They are said to have been cast in Binondo,
Manila.
In 1994, Barrameda inspected the man-sized bells to
see for himself the inscriptions thereat. On the first bell were indeed
inscribed the words: “PARA SA IGLESIA DE NTRA. SRA. DE PEÑAFRANCIA ANO D. 1863
SIMON LI TOANGOUI” and some Chinese ideographs. On the second bell were etched
the words: “OBSEQUIO DE SIMON LI TUANQUI A NTRA. SRA. DE PEÑAFRANCIA ANO.
1868.” [Note how the spelling of the name evolved, which is characteristic of
Chinese surnames.]
In 1997, the “Li Tuanqui Bells” created a stir, when
the Filipino-Chinese Centennial Movement headed by anti-crime crusader Teresita
Ang-See formally requested for the donation of the antique bells to the
organization, in exchange for replica bells, so that they could showcase
Chinese influence and contribution to Philippine culture and history at the
Kaisa Heritage Center, a museum in Intramuros, Manila during the country’s centenary
celebrations. Msgr. Leonardo Legazpi, Archbishop of Caceres, had acceded to the
request but parishioners and other sectors including local media opposed, so
the bells remained where they presently are.
Li Tuanqui’s generosity led to his good standing with
the Church hierarchy. He is the only Chinese mentioned by name in Bishop Gainza’s
writings. He wielded influence among the local Chinese as a successful trader.
His wealth included real estate in the heart of downtown Naga. With his stature, he spearheaded the local Chinese
community in financing the building of the first Pagoda, the water vessel now
called “Sakay”, used in the annual procession of the Ina in the Naga River.
Li Tuanqui had four children by Maria
Sarte. His only son Rufino became mayor of Polangui, and then a provincial
board member, and finally a governor in 1916. Among his present-day descendants
are Marcial Estevez Tuanqui—former vice governor of Albay and past president of
Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Fr. Eleuterio Espinas—former ambassador
to Canada and the Netherlands, Clementina Natividad, Manuel Tuanqui, Tomas Tuanqui,
Glicerio Tuanqui, Godofredo Tuanqui, Dr. Ramon T. Caceres, Dr. Arnel T. Borja, Vicente
T. Natividad, Rudy Tuanqui, Marcial Tuanqui IV and Michael Tuanqui.
Li Tuanqui lived a tranquil and upright
life in Polangui, where he passed on to his extended Filipino family a
tradition of special love for the Ina. In fact, his descendants led by Marcial
E. Tuanqui, inspired by the deeds of their illustrious forebear, donated a
substantial amount to the Peñafrancia Shrine in 1996 for the renovation of the
wooden belfry into concrete. The Li Tuanqui descendants again donated in 2014, this
time to the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Polangui, Albay, a generous amount
for the construction of the QuadriCentennial-Pearl Arch, a grand main gate to
serve as memento of the Parish’s 430th milestone anniversary.
Simon Li Tuanqui died in 1896. But even
after the passage of 118 years, he lives on in the annual Peñafrancia
phenomenon, in his descendants who find it worthy to emulate his unselfish
deeds, and in the two Li Tuanqui Bells, which continue to peal to the faithful
every single day, to this very day, for more than 151 years now… and will
continue to do so for a long, long time.
Absalom
Penilla/Bicol Biographies
