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Saving the San Sebastian Basilica
In the heart of Quiapo proudly stands the only all-metal building in the Philippines: the San Sebastian Basilica.
Built in 1881 and inaugurated 10 years later, the church is a product of the steel industry of the Second Industrial Revolution.
But the historic basilica is falling apart. Although it has endured earthquakes, war, and various restoration projects while still managing to retain its authenticity, San Sebastian's steel is no match for water.
Restoration project
A 10-year restoration project launched by the San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation, Inc. (SSBCDFI) is now in its third year of work.
It started with an invitation extended by Fr. Rene Paglinawan, a resident priest in San Sebastian, to conservator Tina Paterno to visit the iconic church.
Paterno, who had been working in the US, decided to take him up on it and was both awed and horrified at what she saw in the church.
"I was freaked out because it looked pretty bad...but at the same time I was awed by its beauty," Paterno told GMA News Online.
Paterno gathered a team, filed a proposal, and it all snowballed from there.
The initial years were spent on diagnosing what was causing the building's deterioration.
A multidisciplinary team comprised of engineers, architects, conservators, historians, and scientists—most of whom were volunteers—collaborated on the investigation, which found heavy corrosion that caused 300 leaks, large holes, and 2-meter-high pools of water inside the columns.
Treating a symptom
Paterno, who is now SSBCDFI's executive director, said that previous repairs by various organizations were done with the intention to preserve the San Sebastian.
But the projects may be compared to treating a symptom instead of targeting the disease.
"There have been a couple of superficial repairs. They were certainly well-intentioned...there have just been decisions that were quite crucial which has led us where we are today," Paterno said.
She said she is most alarmed by the water in the columns creating holes, because it is damaging what holds the entire structure together.
The team had been stumped by the effects of corrosion, leaving them wondering how anyone had let it deteriorate that much.
"This dome has been leaky for over 6 years. We got up there and we saw buckets to catch water," Paterno revealed.
"We realized to fix all of that, you're gonna have to take it all apart," she added.
Sparking change
The restoration project is now on its way to phase two, which includes the actual repair procedures.
The finish line is pegged at 2020.
"It took ten years to construct, and it will take ten more to conserve," the SSBCDFI said in a statement.
Paterno said the main goal is to extend the lifespan of the building and everything original inside it.
But she added that their team is broadening their scope to include the local neighborhood, because the revival of this particular heritage structure can spark positive change in the Quiapo community.
The foundation has begun doing community development with those in need, Paterno said. — BM, GMA News
