The Eternal Promise: How Eternal Gardens embodies the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ

After 48 years since its establishment, Eternal Gardens, guided by its noble vision of providing the best possible end-of-life care to its clients, has rose into becoming one of the most trusted memorial park companies in the Philippines. The essence of its existence grows deeper and meaningful, more than just greener pastures offered as a final resting place should the inevitable come, but a reassuring paradise anchored from a biblical anecdote that signifies salvation—a symbol of everlasting life and commitment.

Beyond Lawns and Aesthetics

While the 12 parks of Eternal Gardens are widely known for their best lawns, strategic land layouts, clean premises, and aesthetically-appealing facilities, they are far more than what meets the eye. Looking at every park, there is one striking commonality that makes Eternal Garden simply what it is—the statue of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. 

With Eternal Gardens founder Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua’s wishes to immortalize what has been one of the most significant moments in the life of Jesus Christ, the National Artist for Sculpture Dean Napoleon V. Abueva was commissioned to show mastery in crafting the first statue at the company’s maiden branch in Baesa. Standing 33-feet in height, representing the years of ministry that Jesus lived on Earth, and placed on a 12-foot pedestal symbolizing his 12 disciples, the statue has not only become an icon of grandeur but more importantly, of passion and commitment eternalized.

Never Burnt Pages

The Transfiguration of Christ is a luminous moment in the life of Jesus and His believers, as inscribed in Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. His three disciples Peter, James, and John climbed up the mountain with Jesus to pray, under their initial beliefs of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. To provide enlightenment, Jesus immaculately exposed His divine form which fascinated His disciples—his face shone bright like the sun and His clothes glimmered. Moses’ and Elijah’s presence during the Transfiguration represents Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets from the Old Testament through His revelation of the Kingdom of God. 

This miraculous moment is seen as a reminder of God’s eventual fulfillment of His promise of salvation through the sacrifice of His only begotten son, in which the sins of the Earth were forgiven and humanity was given a chance for everlasting life in His divine presence. The Transfiguration represents a page of mystery that will never burn and will continue to inspire hope for eternity.

Statues and Commitment

After the first statue was made in Baesa, Abueva, with his deep religious faith congruent to the company’s values, was committed to creating more for other Eternal Gardens branches in the Philippines, particularly in Cabanatuan City and Sta. Rosa, Laguna. After Abueva’s brilliant sculpture comes the next statues produced by another skilled craftsman Amado Castrillo, whose works were erected in Dagupan in 1983, Biñan in 1984, Balagtas in 1986, Lipa in 1992, and Naga in 2000. Afterwards, Conrado F. Balubayan took over to immortalize the devotion in the first Eternal Gardens in Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro, and in Cabuyao, Laguna in 2018. Recently, Balubayan’s son Napoleon crafted the statue for Eternal Gardens 12th park in Opol, Misamis Oriental. 

Each statue at the heart of every Eternal Gardens park is a reminder of the hard work and passion involved in their creation, and the encapsulated devotion of the company to the promise of salvation that it wants to impart to its stakeholders.

Devotion of Salvation as a Tradition

August 6 is marked as the annual celebration of the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. The unwavering devotion of the company extends not only in statues erected in each park but, more significantly, in holding special masses and sponsoring Holy Masses in the respective parishes. The Eucharistic celebrations also serve as thanksgiving for the anniversary of the company on August 11.

It is through these efforts that the lifelong passion of the founder was eternalized and shared to stakeholders. Just like the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ that sparks hope and inspiration for an everlasting life, Eternal Gardens reaffirms its commitment to provide quality memorial services that deter pain and grief into a glimmer of faith in the promise of eternal salvation and God’s love. 

As the company approaches its golden jubilee, the lasting dedication and the brand that Filipinos know about Eternal Gardens will be made better. Anchored in its core value of faith, it’s certain that, like God’s fulfilled word as represented by Jesus’ Transfiguration, Eternal Gardens’ commitment to their passion will grow deeper and meaningful for all eternity.