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