CHARACTER DEFINING ELEMENTS

eroded grouting

loss of plaster

loss of plaster

shorter door

elevation of floor grime

lichens

eroded material moss

cracks

photo by: Judgefloro

For these photos, what is very evident is the loss of plaster on the bell tower and its walls. Because the protective barrier is no longer present, it has exposed the main material to deterioration. There are also some bricks which are missing, chipped or has already eroded. The grouting on most of the parts are also have eroded. Moss is also starting to grow. The floral elements on its arches got eroded as well. As you can notice, the door became shorter as well unlike on the original photo. This is because the floor got elevated due to the lahar that flooded the church during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

At the rear part of the church, you would also see the presence of biological growth such us lichens and moss on the walls. There are also some parts with efflorescence and grime. But what I want o highlight on this part is the addition of new material in order to elevate the roof because with elevation of the floor due to the lahar brought by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, the ceiling height and clearance become lower than its original height.

addition of new material

grime

lichens broken glass

loss of material

chipped material

peeling of plaster moss

lichens (biological growth)

efflorescence

photo by: Judgefloro

grime

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

photo by: Joelaldor

WHAT MAKES IT "THE SANTA MONICA CHURCH OF MINALIN"

All of the heritage structures, most especially those declared as National Cultural Treasures or even UNESCO World Heritage Sites, possess something that gives them or adds to their heritage value. Aside of being a very old structure, they possess characters that serves as reasons why they should be preserved.

Now, what makes the Minalin Church special? What makes it unique? What makes it a National Cultural Treasure? What makes it The Santa Monica Church of Minalin?

Aside of being a very old structure, the church boasts numerous features or reasons why it is unique from the other churches here in the Philippines and why it is worth preserving of.

According to the director of the National Museum of the Philippines, Director Jeremy Barns, what makes the Minalin Church stands out among all Baroque Churches in the Philippines are these three reasons First is its giant retablo-like facade. Another feature only the Minalin Church have are its four capillas posas. Lastly is also houses the old painting of the Our Lady of Consolation. However, there are more character defining elements that makes this structure a treasure worth it to be cherished and preserved for the future generation.

retablo-like facade

The facade resembles a giant retablo that shows influences of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Animism. It is accentuated by the Corinthian columns and the twin hexagonal bell towers on its sides. The floral carvings present also adds to its baroque details. It also showcases arched niches and a rose windowabove its entrance.

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

four CAPILlas posas

The minor altars of Santa Monica Church located on its sides and back makes the church as one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in the country. The four capillas posas are concrete arched structures used as “oratory stations” for the Blessed Sacrament during Christ the King, Corpus Christi and other similar events.

The capilla posa distinguishes Santa Monica Church as the only church in the Philippine that has these features fully preserved and are still intact today. During the Hispanization of Minalin, these altars were used by Filipinos, which were then termed by the Spaniards as Indios, as the church interior was reserved for “peninsulares” or the full-blooded FilipinoSpaniards.

photo by: R. F. Velasquez

photo by: R. F. Velasquez