Mabolo church to get facelift

CEBU, Philippines - The Saint Joseph the Patriarch Parish in Barangay Mabolo, one of the oldest churches in Cebu City, will undergo a major renovation in both its exterior and interior portions within the year.

The church, however, would still be open for parishioners, as only the portion being worked on would be closed off.

Parish priest Roger Piloton said the church has been in existence for more than 200 years it has deteriorated in several areas.  The church, though, remains strong, having survived several calamities, including the 7.2-magnitude earthquake last October, when it suffered just minor cracks.

Archbishop Ritchie Roy Roncesvalles said renovation, which would take at least six months, would be primarily to “beautify” the church.

“Dili ni (This is not) restoration kun dili (but) renovation. Kay to beautify man,” he said when asked if the renovation is meant to strengthen the church’s structure.

Roncesvalles said they are not actually touching the structure but would just improve on its look by adding more on its original neo-gothic designs.

The parish has conducted fund-raising activities within the  nine-day fiesta celebration for the 222nd anniversary of the church’s founding this Sunday, May 11.

In particular, a fun run dubbed “Dagan Alang sa Simbahan,” whose proceeds would benefit the church restoration project, will kick off the fiesta activities on May 11.

Roncesvalles said the beautification would cost around P5 million, which would be sourced from donations and the amount raised during the parish’s fund-raising activities.

“We are not making something new. Mao gihapon nang nawonga sa simbahan but naa lay paninduton gamay sa gawas og sa sulod (The church would more or less look the same; we would just improve its look both inside and outside the church),” Roncesvalles said.

“It (church structure) has to have verticality; mora’g tower siya” he added.

Fr. Piloton said improving the “physical aspect” of  the church is also important when attending to the parishioner’s needs.

“Kay imbis mora’g langit ilang ma-feel sa simbahan, mora na nuon og imperno ilang ma-feel tungod sa kainit (Instead of feeling they are in heaven while inside the church, the parishioners might feel they are in hell because of the heat),” he said, referring to ventilation improvements that would be introduced. 

Piloton said the church structure remains strong, but the cracks it suffered after the earthquake would also be repaired during the renovation.

“Giagian na og bagyo, giagian na og linog, lig-on gyud ning simbahana, ug sagrado,” said Fr. Piloton.

According to renditions distributed in yesterday’s press conference about the fun run, the façade of the church would have two pointed arches added. The side entrance facing Juan Luna Avenue would also have a “tower” with two arch designs; the same designs would be added on top of the stained glasses on that side of the church.

Inside, aside from the cracks being sealed and painted over, the altar would be refurbished and additional lights for ambience would be added on the ceiling.  (FREEMAN)