Manila's Malate Church crumbling, needs P5M for restoration, CBCP says

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said the Parish of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios is seeking to raise the amount via its “5-5-5 March of the Thousands” campaign.

 

In an article posted on its website, the CBCP said the parish has come up with a five-year restoration program after noting the church is in "urgent" need of restoration.

 

Citing a study by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 2009, the CBCP said the church's exterior walls and façade are “in urgent need of restoration”

 

Other signs of deterioration noted were:

 

- surface material losses through pulverization and disintegration

- surface scaling that destroys newer plasters

- biological and woody growths

- rising dump and water seepage

- detached adobe components or falling debris

 

The study also found the church’s adobe material has “high moisture content, and may not be able to withstand extreme and prolonged weather conditions.” Facing the Manila Bay, the church is exposed to the elements especially strong winds and rain during inclement weather.

 

Cement plaster used for repairing the damage before the study’s findings did more harm than good, according to the CBCP, as the “moisture trapped underneath the walls detached the plaster.”

 

The Malate Church had been rebuilt thrice, the last time via the efforts of then parish priest Francisco Cuadrado after a typhoon in June 1868.

 

Malate Church is also famous for the beloved image of the Virgen de los Remedios, which was brought to the Philippines from Spain by Friar Juan de Guevara in 1624.

 

It is the oldest of the 17 listed Philippine churches honoring Mary with the title “Nuestra Señora de los Remedios,” having been established by the Augustinian friars on September 8, 1588. 

 

The CBCP said prospective donors may coordinate with the Malate Parish office via email at contact@malatecatholicchurch.org; phone at 400-5876 to 77 and (632) 523-2593; and fax at (632) 524-6866.  — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News