"More than just a steel church- it is a Community
worth cherished and preserving"A note on the recent calls for preserving
the still threatened San Sebastian Church
the still threatened San Sebastian Church
by Lualhati Madlangawa-Guererro
Warm, Patriotic Greetings.
After efforts to preserve the famous San Sebastian Church in Quiapo Manila for several years, the call to save the famous steel church is starting to resound aloud again on social media as heritage advocates and concerned folks alike voiced out concerns over the looming threat over the country's most important architectural treasures.
For due to the construction of a 31-storey condominium known as the "University Home Recto", that structure, to be set right behind the centuries-old church, has caught media attention three years ago and has been underway amid the pandemic, making interest over its adverse effect be discussed again by various concerned entities and individuals.
A bit of history
Built in 1891 by Gerardo Palacios with inputs from Gustav Eiffel and his firm, San Sebastian church, made out of steel from Europe, was made in response to the earthquakes that shook Manila and destroyed its original structure.
However, despite its steeled appearance that showcases the modern developments of 19th century using a new type of building material, its architecture reminded its parishioners of much earlier Gothic churches from Europe, a further beyond from the familiar churches in the Philippines that's based on Baroque and of classical architecture. Its interiors were hand-painted to look like stone, with wall paintings of statues and saints done by the Academia de Dibujo, Pintura y Arte, headed by Lorenzo Rocha, a multi-awarded painter. The basilica’s walls and ceiling also feature the work of turn-of-the-century artists Isabelo Tampinco and Felix Martinez.
With this remarkable structure, this age-old church that stood the test of time was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1973 and a National Cultural Treasure in 2011.
a matter of "heritage" versus "development"
It is not surprising that this issue is becoming a matter of "heritage" versus "development", especially that after the recent demolitions of old yet remarkable structures of the past, if not building structures that are "photoboming" places of interest, projects that are promoting "development" such as that condominium raises question if not alarm especially when the district affected includes a place of interest that's declared a National Historical Landmark and a National Cultural Treasure.
Furthermore, the structural and architectural integrity is being compromised due to the proposed project, and this also affect other heritage sites as well such as the Casa Consulado of the Iturralde family, and the Legaspi residence.
For the apathetic, they would dismiss heritage and instead urge to "move on with the times" all thinking that New Yorkers have no qualms about skyscrapers in close vicinity to their St. Patrick's Cathedral, if not those from Mexico City with skyscrapers surrounding the Angel de la Independencia monument. And from that for sure one would remember Consunji's DMCI even envisioned Torre de Manila would pave way to more skyscrapers that would soon rise above Rizal's grave.
With this kind of thought would say how right is the statement from the page Renacmiento Manila, that: "As Manila's heritage is being endangered by institutional neglect and lack of appreciation, we are losing a great cultural inheritance that has the potential - when properly harnessed and taken care of - to revitalize the city and make it a unique cultural hotspot in South East Asia."
Making development closer to the roots by seriously preserving heritage
On behalf of this note, this writer, as others concerned, is ought to say that preserving heritage does not harm development. But rather make development closer to the roots, to the needs of the people including those of its culture, and not those of entrenched interests wanting either destruction or distortion. For San Sebastian Church and its surrounding environs, as any other age-old structure, are not mere edifices worth dismissing as others think of, but testaments of a nation's glorious past.
At present, the Order of Augustinian Recollects, along with San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation Inc. and concerned folks within the community are seriously committed to save this age-old national treasure and its surrounding community it serves. With the efforts in seriously restoring the basilica includes this opposition to this "University Home" condominium that's scheduled for construction behind it.
With the hashtag #SaveSanSebastian, this public call for support meant not just protecting or preserving the structure, but also its legacy that's born from resilience for over 400 years past. And from that steel-clad past becomes more than just keeping a landmark structure but also a community driven by faith.
With the link below the goal is to raise 400,000 signatures until August 2021 as this also marks the 400 year anniversary of the first San Sebastian Church. This general petition also shows a collective effort of concerned folks who not just care about the basilica but also the neighbourhood that cares for it.
Hope that in signing also includes raising awareness about San Sebastian Church, its timeless relevance, and why it must be protected and preserved for future generations. Again, in this link shown below this note urges those concerned to support efforts in preserving the church, and the community it serves- in upholding faith, community, and heritage.