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[Music] One Pass for a Night to Remember

Music has a special place in my heart ever since I was a small girl. My family in my maternal side has always been a fun bunch and loves merriments, especially those which involve social dancing and singing. It was a fond memory where my lolas and lolos would be doing ‘bayle’ while their sons and daughters (my titos and titas) would be singing to happy tunes that will keep the older generations…

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[Disclaimer: the Info you find here are based on some readings and what I learned in the event]

September 29th 2018

The day was off to an early start. When most people are still in their beds, we are already assembled in the treasure of Quiapo, Manila, with the officers of the chapter buzzing everywhere to kickstart the event.

When I was in college, I remember having had come to this place of worship for the purpose of requirement in our History of Architecture course, and not an ounce of regret despite having walked kilometres from the school. After the last day of the licensure examination, I also paid a visit to thank God for staying with me the whole time of my review and exam period, again with all the negative energy washed like they never existed. Such effect of the marriage of science and faith on me was replicated during the weekend’s event entitled “Laws of the Indies”, an Architectural Tour.

Many wonders of the eras when architecture was not yet all about glass and steel are either torn down or left to spoil. And to be quite honest, this generation of architects, including myself, are not feeling good about this. Not only are they wasted, they are also forgotten, mistreated and unappreciated. For this reason, the case of the restoration of San Sebastian Church was one too hard to miss.

The 127 year-old all steel church, designed in Gothic style (Neo-Gothic/ Gothic Revival),stands tall in the middle of the notorious Quiapo we know now, but back in the days it was the Forbes Park of our great-grandparents. Anyway, if you missed the part where I mentioned ‘ALL STEEL’, it’s alright, I’ll repeat it for you— ALL. STEEL.

In the 1880s to the 1890s, as the industrial age rose in the Western parts of the world which brought about the creation of the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty for example, in the same time, the parish of San Sebastian in Manila has been meaning to create a place of worship that will resist the possible works of nature such as earthquakes and fires. So in 1891, the first ever all-iron church in Asia (safe to say) opened its doors to pilgrims.

Being a National Cultural Treasure as it is now, efforts on its restoration are well on its way, or so we hope. To appeal and make a presence in the digital world, the hashtag #SaveSSBasilica has been created to promote awareness of the church’s deteriorating glory, and to stop the construction of a multi-storey building that will threaten the backdrop of the basilica.

The 50+ participants of the event were quite attentive to the fun and even the sad facts about the Gothic structure, including the internally corroding structural members whose major contribution was nothing much but to hold up the building against 11 major earthquakes (not much, right?). With such alarm, the good news is that, this very issue is the priority of the restoration project.

Spearheading this ambitious mission is conservationist Ms. Tina Paterno, who, despite not having an architectural degree, shows so much passion in what she does to the point that she radiates this inspirational aura. The extensive and thorough process is definitely not easy especially with the scale of this project, “we didn’t know where to start,” she even said. And we get it.

“we didn’t know where to start,”

This was the only steel church in Asia, and naturally in the Philippines. The assembly was even handled by Belgian Engineers, so construction wise, how can we fix it without anyone in the Philippines with expertise in this field of construction? It was a challenge indeed. And they could not take chances because this is a national treasure we’re talking about. The conservation team had had conversations with building contractors, and would you believe, even shipbuilders. And it makes sense, because one of the major concerns that raise the red flag for the structural soundness is the presence of water. 40% of the 132 columns are filled with water inside until 2 meters high, and this my friend, is the cause of rust that are eating the metal plates, threatening to crush the church from the inside.

To be honest, I’d love to write more about this enchanting building that gives everyone the impression that they are transported to Europe, but I guess I’ll have to leave you hanging so you can read more about this steel of a church. Also, if you have time, they do give tours to just about anyone interested for a very humble price to help in restoring this wonder.

How? Go to their page!

https://www.facebook.com/savessbasilica/

[Architecture|Travel] Venerating San Sebastian Church September 29th 2018 The day was off to an early start. When most people are still in their beds, we are already assembled in the treasure of Quiapo, Manila, with the officers of the chapter buzzing everywhere to kickstart the event.