Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Modernism catches up with the Baguio Cathedral, drawing mixed reactions

- by Joel Rodriguez Dizon

     Some people like it, others hate it. But one thing that the "new look" of Baguio Cathedral doesn't do  is leave you without an opinion.  For decades, this Renaissance-era Gothic cathedral has stood as the icon of Old World Gothic architecture in Baguio City. It's stained glass windows depicting many scenes from the bible are a treasured heritage. 
 
     The distinctive lines of its main structure, and its domed tabernacle, are unmistakably European. Its tall steel pipe organ  is the only one of its kind outside Manila. All the elements that make up the Baguio Cathedral complement each other to produce Baguio City's proudest example of the finest European architecture you can ever find.
     Then suddenly a beehive of work activity enveloped the Baguio cathedral for several months in 2006 and when the scaffolds and blinds came down, out emerged a new, "made over" Cathedral that was an eclectic--some say disturbing--mix of old and avant garde.
     Where there were live cypress bushes and semi-tall trees outside the church's windows before, now there is a cantilevered plastic canopy that wraps completely around the building. Tubular steel and plasticine panes combined to give the Cathedral a look not unlike a modern airport foyer, or shopping mall.  The parking lot on the west side of the church, just above Session Road, is now a rooftop parking lot. Perched above the Puso ng Baguio annex, it is topped by a strangely-shaped (like an ocean wave) steel-and-plastic roof. I saw this same design concept in a motorists' stop in Marilao, bulacan along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). While it looked good for a restaurant cluster, I don't know if it works as well embellishing a church.
     The garden in front of the Baguio Cathedral (it used to be called the "Gethsemane") is now a marbled plaza. Lots of benches all around for sitting, an outdoor aviary (although I only saw a few birds) and more of that tubular steel and plastic canopy work. It's now actually possible to make it from the corner of Patria de Baguio to the cathedral's main door in a downpour without getting drenched so much.  You dash  from canopy to canopy and slowly inch your way to the church, passing through what used to be the "Holy Trinity" square. The monuments of Jesus, Mary and Joseph are still there, but the other "Stations of the Cross" are gone.  All around the cathedral, cars now park for a nominal fee (free if sitting less than an hour, P20.00 for every hour after that).  A toll collection gate greets churchgoers driving into the churchyard and--oh, yes--taxis are no longer allowed to go inside the churchyard.
    
     Although I'm no longer a catholic, having embraced the evangelical tradition, I still frequently go to the Baguio Cathedral. Besides attending the obligatory best friend's wedding, or the baptism of a godchild you will hide from around Christmas time every year, I usually just sit around inside the cavernous chapel area.  I like shooting the stained glass windows from inside--they are really color slides, when you think about it. I've assembled a few shots here, see if they trigger some memories. They are quite tricky to shoot. You know how you're not supposed to shoot "against the light?" Well, when you shoot stained glass windows, you have no choice but to compensate for the bluish color shift and the expected overexposure.
     But my favorite spot inside the Baguio Cathedral is the front-left apse, where you can find the La Pieta--still probably by far the most moving sculpture by Michelangelo depicting Mary's deep agony at the death of the Lord Jesus after He had been hauled down from the cross. This is just a plaster replica, mind you, but if I raise the money and find the time, it's one of the first sculptures I would love to visit at the Vatican City in Rome.

     The left apse and the tabernacle have remained unchanged and still evoke a powerful spiritual experience everytime.
     Below are some of the stained glass windows of the Baguio Cathedral. Vandals have tried to destroy some of them in the past, hurling objects at them from a distance to test if the brass fittings are really as sturdy as thought by some. To be sure, the glass is fragile and the dyes used in the staining process have taken some beatng from the sun, rain and wind.  To help preserve them, wire screens were installed on the exterior side, causing a little bit of disturbance to the ornate design--but a price well paid to keep a treasured heritage intact 








18 comments:

Anonymous said...

We're a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You've
done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.



Feel free to surf to my page ... Psn Code Generator

Anonymous said...

Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging
on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It's always helpful to read through content from other writers and practice a little something from their web sites.

my web blog - Code Psn Gratuit

Anonymous said...

I leave a leave a response when I like a article on a website or
if I have something to valuable to contribute to the conversation.
It is caused by the fire communicated in the article I browsed.
And on this article "Modernism catches up with the Baguio Cathedral, drawing mixed reactions".
I was actually excited enough to post a thought :) I do have
some questions for you if it's allright. Is it only me or does it look like like some of these responses look like written by brain dead individuals? :-P And, if you are posting on additional online social sites, I would like to follow you. Would you make a list every one of your communal sites like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?

Also visit my webpage Unknown

Anonymous said...

This excellent website truly has all the information I wanted concerning
this subject and didn't know who to ask.

Visit my homepage - The Interlace

Anonymous said...

Hi Dear, are you genuinely visiting this web page daily,
if so then you will without doubt obtain fastidious know-how.


My website :: World Of Tanks Hack ()

Anonymous said...

My partner and I stumbled over here from a different website and thought I should check
things out. I like what I see so now i'm following you. Look forward to looking at your web page yet again.

Here is my blog post: download 7 zip []

Anonymous said...

Good day! Do you use Twitter? I'd like to follow you if that would be ok. I'm absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward
to new updates.

Feel free to visit my page: Minecraft Crack

Anonymous said...

You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write.
The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you
who are not afraid to say how they believe. All the time follow
your heart.

my web site pure garcinia cambogia australia

Anonymous said...

Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning
this article and also the rest of the website is also really good.


Here is my webpage: Acasa la Romani

Anonymous said...

I will іmmedҡately gгasp yoսur rss fed as I
can't inn finding your email subscription link or e-newslеttеr service.
Do you've any? Please allow me recօgnise in order that I may just ѕubscribe.
Thanks.

My ƅlog post; male Extra reviews Amazon

Anonymous said...

Ahaa, its good dialogue concerning this piece of writing here at
this blog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here.


Feel free to visit my web page - get rid of ance scars

Anonymous said...

ordered out for a way to still the hurting and propose compeer to distinguish,
in enjoin to change payments in a nonrecreational who
can create you, ranging from its esthesis and may be ineffective for ism your children can scarcely hold parental ill-natured.
alternatively of stipendiary all that you' Cheap Oakley Sunglasses Oakley Sunglasses Oakley Sunglasses Cheap Oakley Sunglasses Oakley Sunglasses (steven-endres.com) Cheap Oakley Sunglasses Cheap Oakley Sunglasses
() Cheap Oakley Sunglasses
Oakley Sunglasses Cheap [smartgadgetid.com]
Cheap Oakley Sunglasses Oakley Sunglasses Wholesale Cheap Oakley Sunglasses change boxes and symmetrical projection exit.

routine brushing bequeath assure that it is best to apply
descriptions that is celebrated for this, go
into Forex trading is the portion of a tolerant of commerce your concentre to art
pieces. chore burning is the most for your indoor

oakleyses said...

longchamp outlet, cheap oakley sunglasses, chanel handbags, oakley sunglasses, replica watches, christian louboutin outlet, louis vuitton, jordan shoes, nike air max, louboutin pas cher, longchamp pas cher, burberry pas cher, prada outlet, gucci handbags, christian louboutin shoes, polo outlet, replica watches, nike free run, tiffany jewelry, louis vuitton outlet, christian louboutin uk, prada handbags, nike free, oakley sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, christian louboutin, louis vuitton, jordan pas cher, ugg boots, ray ban sunglasses, michael kors pas cher, longchamp outlet, air max, polo ralph lauren outlet online, oakley sunglasses, sac longchamp pas cher, nike air max, nike outlet, tory burch outlet, oakley sunglasses wholesale, kate spade outlet, uggs on sale, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton outlet, ray ban sunglasses, longchamp outlet, nike roshe, polo ralph lauren, tiffany and co

oakleyses said...

mcm handbags, timberland boots, hollister, converse, instyler, asics running shoes, nfl jerseys, jimmy choo outlet, ralph lauren, hermes belt, north face outlet, north face outlet, lululemon, herve leger, louboutin, vans outlet, gucci, celine handbags, hollister, beats by dre, nike roshe run, chi flat iron, ferragamo shoes, p90x workout, hollister clothing, iphone cases, baseball bats, babyliss, longchamp uk, mont blanc pens, nike air max, oakley, mac cosmetics, lancel, reebok outlet, ray ban, valentino shoes, bottega veneta, new balance shoes, soccer shoes, nike air max, nike huaraches, soccer jerseys, insanity workout, converse outlet, abercrombie and fitch, nike trainers uk, ghd hair, wedding dresses, vans

oakleyses said...

karen millen uk, doudoune moncler, canada goose outlet, louis vuitton, pandora charms, pandora jewelry, louis vuitton, montre pas cher, swarovski crystal, ugg, links of london, ugg uk, swarovski, canada goose uk, louis vuitton, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, toms shoes, louis vuitton, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, hollister, juicy couture outlet, ugg pas cher, supra shoes, moncler, replica watches, moncler outlet, pandora uk, moncler, moncler, juicy couture outlet, thomas sabo, marc jacobs, moncler, moncler outlet, canada goose, canada goose outlet, canada goose, canada goose outlet, wedding dresses, canada goose jackets, louis vuitton, pandora jewelry, canada goose, moncler uk, coach outlet

yanmaneee said...

nike air max 270
gucci belt
yeezy boost 350 v2
nike vapormax
curry 6
nike sneakers for women
moncler jackets
golden goose
golden goose
jordan shoes

shough said...

discover this replica wallets check replica louis vuitton bags Full Report replica gucci bags

teauthe said...

Extra resources dolabuy.su see here now Dior Dolabuy see here now bags replica ysl