Iconic Phl churches crumble

MANILA, Philippines - More than historical landmarks, six churches in Bohol considered as national cultural treasures were badly damaged by the strong earthquake that struck the province and nearby Cebu yesterday.

The National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) said they are concerned over the extent of damage to the centuries-old churches in Bohol, particularly the Church of San Pedro in Loboc, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon, the Church of Our Lady of Light in Loon, Maribojoc Church, the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Dauis, and another church in Luay.

NCCA legal division chief Trixie Cruz-Angeles said they were heartbroken after learning of the extent of damage to the churches.

“These are actually national cultural treasures, the highest designation of any cultural property,” Angeles said.

Angeles likened the recognition of national cultural treasures to people who were given the honor as national artists.

“If there is a designation for inanimate objects, it is the national cultural treasure,” she said.

Angeles said they were devastated after seeing the aftermath of the earthquake. “These are irreplaceable and non-renewable resources, when they are gone they are gone. This is a loss to the country not just to Bohol, because these are natural cultural treasures.”

Angeles said they would have to determine the extent of the devastation. “We only know that it is quite devastating. We heard that the worst hit was the Loboc Church. We need to assess and bring the restoration experts there and we need to document the damage.”

The NCCA is coordinating with local officials in Bohol along with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to secure the six churches.

“For the meantime we ask the public to protect these sites, even if the area is already destroyed there is still something we can do. Do not go inside the sites to prevent injury,” Angeles said.

She added the public should also safeguard these treasures to prevent looting.

Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso said the old churches in Loon and Carmen town, said to be the epicenter of the 7.1 magnitude earthquake, were “badly destroyed.”

Medroso said initial reports showed at least two people were trapped under the rubble in the church in Loon.

Another old church in Dauis town also collapsed while a requiem mass was ongoing.

The belfry and facade of Baclayon Church, considered one of the oldest churches in the country, were badly damaged. Other old churches in Cortes and Maribojoc towns were also damaged.

In Alburquerque town, a church was slightly damaged.

The historic Basilica del Sto. Niño in Cebu also suffered extensive damage from the tremor.

A resident witnessed how the iconic bell tower of the church fell during the earthquake.

Junie Sarsalejo, 34, said he was outside the concrete fence below the bell tower when the tremor occurred.

“I dropped off my mother at the Basilica to hear mass. I decided not to go inside and just light a candle and offer prayers here (outside the main gate) because I planned to leave ahead. When I was praying, I felt a strong tremor and debris started to fall. I tried to start my motorcycle but I could not since I was already panicking. Luckily, a foreigner grabbed me right before a huge brick fell on my motorcycle,” Sarsalejo said.

His 68 year-old mother Emilia Irabagon believed they were saved by the Sto. Niño.

“I am really thankful to Señor Sto. Nino that my son was spared from that huge brick that fell from the bell tower. This is truly a miracle,” she said.

Basilica rector Fr. Jonas Mejares said it was fortunate that the earthquake occurred on a holiday.

“Good thing this happened on a holiday and morning. Had it happened on Friday (devotion day) and Sunday, it could have been worse. God is so good,” Mejares remarked.

Mejares added a parish priest was delivering his homily and had to cut short the Mass and run for safety during the earthquake.

Local officials led by Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella toured the city to inspect the damage of the churches in the city.

The canopy of the main entrance of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral collapsed during the quake.

Among the churches that had to be closed down were the Lourdes Parish in Punta Princesa, Holy Cross Parish in Basak Pardo, and Pardo Parish Church. – Jessa Agua/The Freeman