San Sebastian Basilica is not treated as a cloistered relic but as a piece
of the past that continues to serve an integral role in its community.
Everyone is invited to be active ‘shareholders’ in continuing
to keep the church alive. 126 years of prolonged exposure
to saline tropical air and pollution, and an alarming number
of leaks and haphazard repair attempts have generated great
deterioration that threatens the basilica’s survival. Thus, the
existence of the conservation efforts and the addition of tours
to help finance the 10-year conservation process.
We often treat objects from the past with a protectionist
stance, owing to age and respect, which isn’t a bad thing at all.
However, closing off access to it and
limiting exposure and connection to
society can lead to its being divorced
from the country’s continuing story.
Clearly, the San Sebastian Basilica is
not treated as a cloistered relic but as a
piece of the past that continues to serve
an integral role in its community. The
foundation’s engaging heritage tours and
campaigns for the basilica’s conservation
efforts offer an intriguing, admirable
and effective approach in assuring the
survival and continued relevance of
heritage landmarks to today’s society.
Join in the efforts to save the San Sebastian Basilica
and book a tour. Like the San Sebastian Basilica
Facebook page @savessbasilica for updates on
tour schedules, trivia and information on the church's
restoration. Tag your basilica photos with #savessbasilica
and follow the church's official Instagram account
@savessbasilica. Special thanks to Samantha Pacardo
and Ysabel de Dios for the tour and feature interview.
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