Fundraiser supports only all-metal structure in Philippines

BAKAS PILIPINAS /Philippine Historic Preservation Society, a not-for-profit organization based in New York City committed to support historic preservation in the Philippines, is having a fund-raising event on May 13, 2010, 6 PM, at the Philippine Consulate, 556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. Proceeds from the event will go towards the restoration of San Sebastian Basilica in Manila, Philippines, the only all-metal structure in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. Fabricated in 1886 in Binche, Belgium, it was assembled in Manila and opened in 1891. The May 13th event will have a cocktail reception, silent auction of artworks, and a presentation on San Sebastian Basilica. For more information, please visit the website: www.bakaspilipinas.org, or blog: http://bakaspilipinas.wordpress.com, or email info@bakaspilipinas.org, or call Roz Li at 212 677-9842. HISTORY OF SAN SEBASTIAN BASILICA
Manila, Philippines The restoration of San Sebastian Basilica is a focus of Bakas Pilipinas’ fund-raising efforts. Inaugurated in 1891, the church is the only all-metal structure in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. After the first three churches at the site were destroyed by earthquakes, the colonial insular government of Spain recommended and designed the current steel church in lieu of traditional brick and stone to better withstand future tremors. The structure was built in 1886 at a foundry in Binche, Belgium, shipped to Manila in parts, and assembled on site over the course of two years. Painted glass windows were imported from the Henri Oidtmann Company, an internationally renowned German stained glass studio. The entire interior is faux-finished to simulate jasper and marble, with trompe l’oeil renderings of angels, saints, modillions and coats of arms painted by the school of Spaniard Lorenzo Rocha, who had as his students Isabelo Tampingco and Felix Martinez, celebrated turn of the century Filipino painters. With the exception of its exterior paint finish, the structure has remained true to its original design. Today, the church exhibits deterioration from corrosion due to water leaks, causing damage to the metal plates and interior murals. San Sebastian Basilica is one of the Philippines’ historical and artistic treasures, a showcase of the works of turn of the century Filipino artists. It is significant as well for its unique construction technology. This type of all-metal structure, generically referred to as an “Eiffel” structure – after Gustave Eiffel, designer of the Eiffel Tower in Paris – was typically fabricated in France, Belgium and Germany and shipped for assembly in Spanish colonies throughout South and Central America. While there is reference to the structure as an “Eiffel building”, Gustave Eiffel’s involvement in the design is still the subject of research. Eiffel’s work include several steel structures built in the Philippines and there is a reference to a “steel church”. San Sebastian Basilica was designated a historic landmark of national significance by the Philippine National Historical Commission and is listed in the World Monuments Fund’s Watch List. The Basilica is a great example of collaborative design and construction work in the 19th century by the Filipinos, Spanish, Belgians, French, and Germans. Please help and support the restoration of this irreplaceable world treasure.