Kanto No. 4, Vol. 2, 2017 | Page 90

M E M O RY The beauty of the San Sebastian Basilica tours is that not only does it allow free rein for visitors to document the church’s intriguing architecture but also engages them with a fascinating primer choc-full of intriguing trivia and information about the basilica. Aside from adding story and color to the details, this all the more points to the importance of preserving the 126 year-old landmark. The new photowalk tours go as far as allowing visitors to bask in the beauty and glory of the church interiors with doors closed granting an hour of architectural bliss without the crowds, allowing one to appreciate and document the architectural details without the pressure and distraction. This is definitely a rare architectural encounter one won’t get from most of our local churches and heritage landmarks. Be it random quizzes about the church from tour coordinators, all-access trips to the church’s belfries for an uninterrupted view of Manila, or the addition of scaffolding platforms for use of photographers and architecture enthusiasts to obtain detail shots, the tours engage its audience beyond mere spectatorship. The tours engage its audience beyond mere spectatorship. Everyone is invited to be active ‘shareholders’ in keeping the church alive. 88