The Basilica of San Sebastian is
located along Hidalgo Street in Quiapo, Manila – one of the most affluent
locations during the Spanish period. Heritage houses (some dilapidated, some
restored) are still seen in the area today. When I went to Bahay Nakpil
Bautista which is located on the same street, the tour guide mentioned that during
that time, San Sebastian churchgoers were the rich with their horse-drawn
carriages. The church is a Gothic style architecture popular in Europe during
the 1800s. It is the home of the 400 year old Our Lady of Mount Carmel image
and it became a National Historical Landmark in 1973 and as a National Cultural
Treasure in 2011.
It is the first and only steel
church in the country and possibly in Asia, the second all-steel structure in
the world, next to Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. It is the Philippines’ first
basilica, one of the last churches with intact original interiors including the
paintings and stained glass windows.
“The metal that makes the church
withstand earthquakes for over 100 years is the same one which makes it weak
from rust and corrosion”, says Ysabel De Dios the Tour Head for the Save San
Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation Inc. This
organization organized a 10 year effort to sustainably save the basilica and is
aided by local and international team of expert volunteers. But of course they
need a lot of help in order to achieve the restoration for a 127 year old
structure, built in 1891.
This tour is different from other
heritage places or visita iglesia (since it was scheduled on Maundy Thursday)
because it’s a fundraising campaign to save the church from damage. Five years
of research, documentation and data analysis have shown over 300 leaks, large
holes inside walls and columns, pools of water in the columns, windows and
interior paintings needed repair from corrosion.
Ysabel met us at the church
entrance and she explained the history of San Sebastian within Quiapo area, its
historical and spiritual importance among its residents. It had an interesting
history how it was built since the original wood structure was destroyed by a
fire and through the years, destroyed by both fire and earthquakes. Genaro
Palacios, a Spanish architect was commissioned by the parish priest Esteban
Martinez for an all steel church to prevent it from being devastated by
earthquakes. The prefabricated steel sections came from Belgium and shipped to
the Philippines. The paintings inside the church were hand painted by students
of the country’s premier art school in Quiapo, the Academia de Dibujo, Pintura
y Arte. The basilica’s 50 stained glass windows were made by Henri Oidtmann, founder of the oldest glass studio company in Germany.
With such historical weight now
on our shoulders, we proceeded to the choir loft for a detailed information on
the restoration plan. Ysabel mentioned the various pro bono volunteers all over
the world and other experts in the field of architecture, engineering,
metallurgy etc. but still they need all the help they can get from the public.
Hence, the tour campaign for a fee of P150 to regular guests and P120 for
students, PWDs and seniors. At the choir loft, Ysabel pointed out the
paintings, stained glass window details of the Joyful and Sorrowful mystery
images and the leaks of the columns. She also said that they only have 5 years
left in the 10 year restoration master plan. It’s a race against time and
elements and the rusts are visible inside and out.
Now the most exciting part of the
tour was going up the bell tower through a century old set of spiral staircases.
I felt like Quasimodo of Notre Dame. The tower is equivalent to the height of a
10 storey building and overlooking Quiapo, it had spectacular views.
I fell in love with San Sebastian
Basilica even before I saw it for the first time back in 2010. My love intensified
after the tour and I hope the restoration happens soon. High respect goes to
Ysabel and her companions who are passionate about the campaign. My son and
goddaughters who also came with me learned so much that a class lecture pales
in comparison to the real thing.
So, I beg you for the sake of
faith and culture, come for the tour (cheaper than going to a movie) and
experience how glorious it is to be part of history!
For tour details, go to their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/savessbasilica/
Sources:
Wikipedia
Save San Sebastian Basilica brochure
