Faces were a blur as I fleeted past them. I was running late. I criss-crossed my way from Quiapo Church to an unfamiliar destination via an underpass and a hectic street, bumping into pedestrians and devotees and medicinal herb hawkers.
I was on my way to Illuminati Travel and Tours’ grand launch. Co-owner Joel Aldor, who I met through the Pinoy Travel Bloggers FB group, sent me an invite (after I invited myself). The launch was scheduled on the 29th of January, fortunately we were in Manila then to take care of a few documents.
As for the venue, well, I saw on the e-invite that it will take place in a certain church in Quiapo. I lived in nearby Malate for almost nine years and I’ve never been to, I read, San Sebastian Church. Neither have I Googled it. Hence, I didn’t set any expectations. I was attending with a clean slate.
Jeep drivers and bystanders directed me to the church. When it came to view, about more than a hundred meters away, I swear my eyes must have seemed they were about to pop out of my lids! I was completely astounded. How could something this grandiose just be… be here and I was never aware of it?!
Just outside the church doors was an unmanned registration booth. I took a colored flyer, wrote my name on the logbook, and stepped in.
I was swept off my feet.
From the entrance, I could hear Joel’s voice faintly. The people were gathered near the altar. The tour obviously has begun. I didn’t join straight away though. Instead, I roamed around by myself (which I usually do on tours) and closely studied the impressive walls, windows, posts and ceiling.
The Basilica Minore de San Sebastián or San Sebastian Church is a Neo-Gothic church completed in 1891, and is the only all-steel church in Asia. It’s currently included on the tentative list of possible World heritage Sites. I reckon it really should be.
When I found out that the church’s steel sections were prefabricated and shipped from Belgium, it got me thinking… For what purpose is this spectacular structure? For more followers? For prestige? Or to showcase artistry? Perhaps an intermarriage of all these.
Nevertheless I am hoping heritage conservators/experts find a solution to its corrosion, without tampering the painting on the walls by Lorenzo Rocha and his students.
The rest of the tour I spent listening to parts of the talk and chitchatting with fellow bloggers Mark of Nomadic Experiences and Anton of Pusang Kalye, both I met for the first time.
Day was concluded with hors d’oeuvres and drinks at the church yard (where I also met Bernie of Habagat Central and Edgar of Eazy Traveler – and I so wish I was introduced to AJ of The Transcendental Tourist!), and a raffle. Three lucky people won free tours.
For more info on Illuminati Travel and Tours’ packages, visit their website.
kaya naman lahat tayo busy kakatingala at kakatingin sa lahat ng corners ng church nung araw na yun.hahaha. nakalimutan ko tuloy magpapic with you. 😀
I so wish to! But I’m sure our paths will cross again. Maybe in another heritage church. :))
Btw, your shots are mahvelous! I never think of artsy angles like that, so I just blame it on my point-and-shoot. 😀
Oh, and Joel did explain the purpose for pre-fabbing this fabulous church (while you were roaming around, hehe), but I forget now. Bummer.
Anton, haha! Yeah! Kanya-kanya tayong business magpicture at self-exploration.
AJ, hopefully we meet again soon. Ack! I missed the explanation. I was too preoccupied, chatting with newly met fellow bloggers 🙂
Hmph, dinedma nyo ang aking lecture! LOL!
wow…looks great..n welcome to travel 365 n follow my blog ..http://www.travelnlife.com/
Joel, you were overshadowed by the church itself. Haha!
Thanks Ben! Followed you back. Cheers to more adventures!
Okay, why is AJ on the mention there? LOL
Nice photos! You brought the European touch to Philippines with this one… Great job! ;D
Hey Jorie, he was invited to the launch as well. I’m a huge fan of his blog ever since that’s why I wanted to meet him. Had I known he was there, I would have stalked him straight away. Lol.
Wow the church is really beautiful! I have never seen a steel church before. Thank you for sharing this interesting review with us!
Really beautiful, Nelieta. The church doesn’t look like it’s made from steel though. The artists painted its interiors in such a way that the walls, posts, and ceiling look like they’re made from stone.
amazing that this church is made out of steel – doesn’t look it. The inside looks warm and cosy.
Amazing indeed, Kerry-Ann. The artists painted it in such a way that the interiors would look like stone.
ang ganada nga tlga ng loob, one of the best church sa Pinas, never ko pa napasok yan
Try to pass by Gael if you’re somewhere within the area 🙂 Ma-inlab ka lalo!