Nagpakadati-dati (Part 2)

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar daily Express)

Hi there! Do you still remember my rant regarding that LANDSCAPING project at the Cathedral? To refresh ourselves, the LANDSCAPING project which included the tearing of plaster off the exterior buttresses of the cathedral caused some concerned Calbayognons to raise some questions. It turned out that those who complained were featured not in one, but in at least two homilies, as yet another priest castigated them in another sermon during another Sunday mass, you know by saying ini nga mga tawo, imbes nga mamulig, ada lugod an pagparapanreklamo. (I may never complain about the fees at the parish, but certainly not on a heritage structure like the cathedral. Well, the fees are another story)

Back to that complaint. Calbayognons are either nice or mga walang paki. My apologies for saying that. I think that realization hit me during the meeting with the three architects who were invited by the Bishop. They said that they have been to various places around the country because of just that – complaints over “careless” interventions on old heritage structures and / or churches (whew! In this case we have to be thankful then, hindi tayo nag-iisa). They said that the case of Calbayog is something mild compared to other places where in some instance you are talking about case being filed in court. Anyway, back to the project.

Three architects from Ecuela Taller de Intramuros were invited to come over and do some inspection on the project site last October 2, 2009. I got hold of a copy of the technical report which they sent to Bishop Abarquez. The good Bishop gave me permission to feature that report in this column and in my blog.

Let me begin by introducing the three architects who visited Calbayog: Professor Eric Zerrudo, the Director of the UST Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics. He is also the Administrative Director of Escuela Taller de Intramuros; Architect Rino Fernandez, Professor at the UST College of Architecture. He is the Academic Coordinator of Escuela Taller de Intramuros; and Architect Carmen Betina Bulaong, Senior Lecturer at the UP College of Architecture. She is the Workshop Coordinator of Escuela Taller de Intramuros. In case you are wondering what Escuela Taller de Intramuros is, I will be giving you some info about it in my next column.

Some details from the report on initial findings at the cathedral:

• Inspection of exterior buttresses at southeastern facade (this is the side facing Sen. Pres. Avelino Avenue)

1. The exterior buttresses at the southeastern façade of the cathedral were stripped of cement plastering. These exposed buttresses are composed of two tiers. The lower tier, being more massive and thicker compared to the upper portion, is of bricks and stone rubble with lime mortar. The upper tier is made of coral stone blocks.
2. Upon initial inspection by the team, it has been found that the exposed bricks are already disintegrating. Much of its surface has come off with the cement plaster. In view of this, stripping of the cement plaster must be done manually with extra care.

• Inspection of the Present Church Holdings in the Interior (altar table, retablo, side altars, etc.)

1. The apse of the cathedral containing the altar and retablo was also inspected. This area is severely altered. From old pictures, it can be determined that the side altars, pulpit, the wrought iron communion rail, the chandeliers and the frescoed ceiling have disappeared. The side and rear wall area has totally different wall treatment from the original. As for the retablo, the positioning of the saints have been altered.

• Inspection of the Rear Facade

1. In the exterior facade the team found some remnants of lime plaster on the coral stone blocks. It can then be assumed that the entire exterior wall of the Cathedral was originally plastered with lime.
2. On the upper portion of the exterior facade wall the team discovered a seal bearing the year of the construction of the church. Unfortunately this year (the year starts with 18) is now partially erased due to the boaring of a hole right in the middle of the seal to receive what looked like a wooden beam.
3. Flanking this seal are two hexagonal oculus which corresponds to the two windows behind the main retable at the altar area of the Cathedral.

• Inspection of the Ceiling and the Roof Truss system:
  

1. The team also inspected the roof trusses and the ceiling system. It has been determined that the 12”x12” ridge beam and the 8”x8” roof trusses made of molave wood are in very good condition. There are only a few members of the truss system that needs to be replaced.
2. The ceiling system is comprised of 2”x2” ordinary wood nailers and is covered by cement plaster on chicken wire matting. Much of the wood nailers are rotting away due to leaks on the roof. It has been explained that the rib-type galvanized iron roofing has not been properly installed, hence the leakage.
3. The cement plaster ceiling is disintegrating at some parts, especially those near the edges where it meets the interior walls. This system, which is heavy and odes not deflect heat coming from the roof, is posing a threat to the safety of the users of the Cathedral due to falling debris.

• Inspection of the Portecochere, Bellfry and the Front Facade:
  

1. The front façade of the Cathedral has been severely altered (based on old pictures). The original austere facade, quite commonplace in the Franciscan order’s architecture, is now lost to the neo-romanesque style adopted in the present facade. Noteworthy is the construction of the Bellfry and Portocochere which are made of modern materials and modern finishes.
   

to be continued)

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This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!