Guiuan Church restored after 3 years
Published Dec 11, 2019 12:00 am
By Marie Tonette Marticio
GUIUAN, Eastern Samar - The 18th century Marian church in the southernmost most tip of Eastern Samar, which was damaged when Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) made its first landfall in November 2013 has been restored after three years of reconstruction.
The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) rededicated the La Inmaculada Concepción Church during its feast day, led by Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines Gabriele Giordano Caccia and NMP Deputy Director-General Ana Maria Theresa Labrador. (Alren Beronio / MANILA BULLETIN)
The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) rededicated the La Inmaculada Concepción Church during its feast day, led by Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines Gabriele Giordano Caccia and NMP Deputy Director-General Ana Maria Theresa Labrador.
A total of P111.9 million was spent for the restoration with the support of the United States government through the Ambassador’s Fund for cultural preservation.
"This is a sign that when we work hand in hand, miracles happen," the Papal Nuncio said, citing that it is possible for the Church and the State to work for the preservation of cultural heritage such as the Guiuan Church.
He added that the project is also significant because it shows that the Church is part of the history and culture of the Philippines.
The restoration retained its original altar, painted ceiling, and architectural design, which is known for being the country’s only church with extensive shell ornamentation in its interiors.
"When the church was destroyed, maybe very few of you were thinking that it would be possible to have the church back, but in fact, it is now back strong, solid, and able to endure for centuries," he noted.
The parish church was declared a national culture treasure pursuant to Museum Declaration No. 2-2001 entitled "Declaration of Colonial Churches as National Cultural Treasure."
The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) rededicated the La Inmaculada Concepción Church during its feast day, led by Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines Gabriele Giordano Caccia and NMP Deputy Director-General Ana Maria Theresa Labrador. (Alren Beronio / MANILA BULLETIN)
The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) rededicated the La Inmaculada Concepción Church during its feast day, led by Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines Gabriele Giordano Caccia and NMP Deputy Director-General Ana Maria Theresa Labrador.
A total of P111.9 million was spent for the restoration with the support of the United States government through the Ambassador’s Fund for cultural preservation.
"This is a sign that when we work hand in hand, miracles happen," the Papal Nuncio said, citing that it is possible for the Church and the State to work for the preservation of cultural heritage such as the Guiuan Church.
He added that the project is also significant because it shows that the Church is part of the history and culture of the Philippines.
The restoration retained its original altar, painted ceiling, and architectural design, which is known for being the country’s only church with extensive shell ornamentation in its interiors.
"When the church was destroyed, maybe very few of you were thinking that it would be possible to have the church back, but in fact, it is now back strong, solid, and able to endure for centuries," he noted.
The parish church was declared a national culture treasure pursuant to Museum Declaration No. 2-2001 entitled "Declaration of Colonial Churches as National Cultural Treasure."