Chong Hock Tong Temple: A Cultural Journey Through Manila’s Chinese Heritage
When you think of Manila, you probably imagine vibrant street life, Spanish-era churches, or food stalls dishing out sisig and lumpia. But just beyond the
Quiapo, Manila
San Sebastian Church
A Testament of Strength and Faith in Manila
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- Quiapo, Manila
Located at Plaza del Carmen, near the eastern end of Recto Avenue in Quiapo, Manila, San Sebastian Church remains a unique and treasured architectural marvel. Its status as the first and only all-steel church in Asia underscores its significance and the innovative spirit behind its construction.
Explore the Philippines through my lens as we venture into San Sebastian Church with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll guide you on an interactive tour, revealing the behind-the-scenes of capturing the shots shared here. Let’s dive into this visual journey together and uncover the wonders through my lens!
Let’s explore the PHILIPPINES through my lens as we journey on a photo slideshow to San Sebastian Church. Join me in this visual adventure and discover the wonders captured through my lens! Check out the shared slideshow here.
San Sebastian Church, officially known as the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian, stands as a remarkable testament to Gothic Revival architecture in the Philippines. Located in Quiapo, Manila, this iconic structure is renowned for being the first and only all-steel church in Asia. Completed in 1891, it has earned significant accolades, being designated a National Historical Landmark in 1973 and a National Cultural Treasure in 2011.
Check out the video for more highlights. See what I’ve captured through my lens with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll take you on an interactive tour, showing you behind-the-scenes moments of capturing the shots shared here.
Check out the video below for additional features. Explore what I’ve captured through my lens in this cinematic slideshow.
The church’s innovative design and unique construction materials make it a distinctive architectural marvel that draws visitors and scholars alike. Its significant designations underscore its importance in the heritage of the Philippines and its status as a treasured landmark.
Historical Background
The origins of San Sebastian Church date back to 1621 when Bernardino Castillo, a devoted patron and admirer of the 3rd-century Roman martyr Saint Sebastian, donated the land for its construction. The original church, built of wood, was destroyed by fire during a Chinese Filipino uprising in 1651. This destruction marked the beginning of a series of trials for the church’s structures.
ABOVE: The towering pillar of San Sebastian Church, captured in a dramatic low-angle close-up, showcases its intricate Gothic details, drawing the viewer’s gaze toward the heavens.
ABOVE: The towering pillar of San Sebastian Church, captured in a dramatic low-angle close-up, showcases its intricate Gothic details, drawing the viewer’s gaze toward the heavens.
Subsequent brick buildings also fell victim to fires and earthquakes in 1859, 1863, and 1880. Each calamity necessitated rebuilding efforts, reflecting the church’s resilience and the community’s commitment to preserving its legacy through the centuries.
Architectural Design
In the 1880s, the parish priest Esteban Martínez sought the expertise of Spanish architect Genaro Palacios to design a church that could withstand natural disasters. Palacios proposed an innovative design for a steel building that combined Earthquake Baroque with Neo-Gothic styles, drawing inspiration from the Gothic Burgos Cathedral in Spain. This design aimed to address the challenges posed by the region’s seismic activity.
ABOVE: San Sebastian Church’s triangular roof tower rises with elegance, while the gentle image of a saint holding a child on its facade feels like a warm embrace of faith and love.
ABOVE: San Sebastian Church’s triangular roof tower rises with elegance, while the gentle image of a saint holding a child on its facade feels like a warm embrace of faith and love.
The prefabricated steel sections for the church were manufactured in Binche, Belgium, and transported in eight shipments, beginning in 1888. Belgian engineers oversaw the assembly, with the first column erected on September 11, 1890. The church’s walls were constructed with a mixture of sand, gravel, and cement, while the stained glass windows were imported from the Heinrich Oidtmann Company in Germany. Local artisans applied the finishing touches.
Interior Features
San Sebastian Church features two openwork towers and a striking steel vaulting system. The basilica’s nave rises 12 meters (39 feet) to the dome and 32 meters (105 feet) to the tip of the twin spires, showcasing its impressive verticality. The interior is adorned with faux finishes, including groined vaults in the Gothic style, which allow ample illumination from the lateral windows.
ABOVE: A large crucifix hangs on the right side of this basilica’s entrance, and it is made from wood—appears old and has been prayed over many times by people through history. The Filipino custom of touching Christ’s feet while praying shows respect for him; one feels that the crucifix bears witness to their devotion.
ABOVE: A large crucifix hangs on the right side of this basilica’s entrance, and it is made from wood—appears old and has been prayed over many times by people through history. The Filipino custom of touching Christ’s feet while praying shows respect for him; one feels that the crucifix bears witness to their devotion.
The steel columns, walls, and ceiling were painted to mimic marble and jasper by artists Lorenzo Rocha, Isabelo Tampingco, and Félix Martínez. Trompe-l’œil paintings of saints and martyrs by Rocha further enhance the church’s décor. The Gothic Revival spirit is evident in the design of the confessionals, pulpit, altars, and five retablos by Lorenzo Guerrero and Rocha. Sculptor Eusebio Garcia created the statues of holy figures, and six marble holy water fonts were crafted from Romblon marble. Dominating the main altar is an ivory statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a gift from Carmelite sisters in Mexico City in 1617.
ABOVE: The Basilica’s dome ceiling is formed with steel, giving it an rustic feel. The altar stands out from the rest of the space—its intricate lines and golden tones brilliantly illuminated by white lights; in its center stands the venerated image of Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Our Lady of Carmel).
ABOVE: The Basilica’s dome ceiling is formed with steel, giving it an rustic feel. The altar stands out from the rest of the space—its intricate lines and golden tones brilliantly illuminated by white lights; in its center stands the venerated image of Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Our Lady of Carmel).
Recognitions and Designations
San Sebastian Church was officially recognized for its historical and cultural significance when President Ferdinand Marcos declared it a National Historical Landmark through Presidential Decree No. 260 on August 1, 1973. This designation highlighted the church’s importance in the national heritage of the Philippines.
ABOVE | The San Sebastian Basilica, one of Manila’s most famous landmarks, is grandeured by its huge stained-glass windows. They are said to be some of the most beautiful in all—and that’s not surprising: The basilica itself has rustic feels and glamour; this combination makes it a favorite among Filipinos.
ABOVE | The San Sebastian Basilica, one of Manila’s most famous landmarks, is grandeured by its huge stained-glass windows. They are said to be some of the most beautiful in all—and that’s not surprising: The basilica itself has rustic feels and glamour; this combination makes it a favorite among Filipinos.
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ABOVE: Upon entering the basilica, one sees on the right a statue of Immaculate Heart of Mary and an ornate spiral staircase leading to the choir loft.
ABOVE: Upon entering the basilica, one sees on the right a statue of Immaculate Heart of Mary and an ornate spiral staircase leading to the choir loft.
On August 15, 2011, the church was further honored as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines, with the official marker unveiled on January 20, 2012. Additionally, the church was included in the Philippines’ Tentative List for possible World Heritage Site designation on May 16, 2006, due to its architectural and historical heritage. However, it was removed from the Tentative List as of 2017.
Preservation and Restoration Efforts
In recent years, San Sebastian Church has faced threats to its structural integrity, primarily due to rust and corrosion from sea breezes off nearby Manila Bay. In response, state funding was allocated for restoration efforts through the National Historical Institute in 1982, and the Recollect community has also invested in maintaining and restoring the church.
The church was listed on the biennial watchlist of the 100 Most Endangered Sites by the World Monuments Fund in 1998 but was not retained in subsequent lists. It was again recognized as one of the most endangered monuments globally in the 2010 World Monuments Watch, alongside the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras and Santa Maria Church. All three sites were removed from the list in 2011 following the enactment of the National Cultural Heritage Act.
ABOVE: The young boy, standing humbly beside the revered image of the Black Nazarene, carefully extends his small hands to return a towel to a devotee. His eyes shine with quiet reverence, fully aware of the sacredness of the moment.
ABOVE: The young boy, standing humbly beside the revered image of the Black Nazarene, carefully extends his small hands to return a towel to a devotee. His eyes shine with quiet reverence, fully aware of the sacredness of the moment.
Current Management
San Sebastian Church is overseen by the Order of Augustinian Recollects, who also manage the adjacent San Sebastian College-Recoletos. This stewardship ensures that the church continues to be a focal point of both spiritual and educational activities in the area.
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