Just bear with me. I’m just so elated being on the cover of the June 2010 issue of Bluprint Magazine featuring one of my images of San Sebastian Basilica Minore in addition to a bigger spread inside.

Ahem.

I never thought that it will really push through. At first, they were still selecting images for the cover, if it will be San Sebastian or another article and suddenly, I didn’t get any news of it. At least, I was assured of a a bigger photo spread. When gonli, a blog reader of my simbahan.net blog commented about being in the cover, I was flabbergasted and Joel, a friend, confirmed this one!

Will get my copy tomorrow and check if I also made it to the back cover. Crossing fingers.

I’m into my fifth day of the photo documentary of the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian in Manila and closing the day at the belfry. I was at the interior of the right belltower (when facing the facade) and, god, it was like being brought back in time and I can’t just help but pose in one of the shots.

I’m always in awe whenever I’m in the minor basilica of San Sebastian in Manila. The all steel church has one of the most fascinating architecture in the country. During a photo documentation of the interior, yesterday, a children’s choir was practicing for their presentation a few month from now. These are just some of the few I took.

The Minor Basilica of San Sebastian in Manila, especially declared attached to the Vatican, is considered the only all-steel church in Asia and for the past 109 years, it has endured the test of time and natural disasters. While the exterior seems to be okay, the paint hides a dirty little secret: the edifice is in bad condition and it’s steel parts, imported from Belgium, is deteriorating. Oxidation or rust has taken its toll and this can be seen in the dark corners of the interior.

Tina Paterno, a New York based conservator has offered her time to spearhead the seeming impossible task of restoring this impressive structure that has been the legacy of the Augustinian Recollects, smarting from the destruction that affected the previous stone church in the aftermath of the 1880 earthquake,  experimented with a new construction material as Spanish colonization is in its twilight.

On my part, I have helped her document this basilica before the restoration will commence as well as have something that I will use once I will start my San Sebastian series in simbahan.net. This is no easy task. There are too many details to cover and now we’re still at our second day, I’ve only done less than half of the interior.

Seeing the walls up close, I’m also alarmed at the current state. There really is a need to do something, the sooner, the better, before it’s too late or we will forever lose this unique treasure. When our support is needed for it’s restoration, please, let’s give our share in preserving this architectural wonder.

I’ve always been intrigued with the all steel church of the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian. Thanx to Tina Paterno, who will be heading a restoration project of this impressive edifice, I was able to appreciate further and take preliminary shots of the interior for a future feature in simbahan.net and to help Tina with her advocacy/project.

I can’t help but be wide eyed at the fan vaulting, the neo gothic details of this church but also disheartened at deterioration of the iron cladding that is quite prominent in the interior. These are just a few of the images I took and will be shooting the basilica by next week. Stay tuned.

About the images, I prefer to do this in black and white to focus more on the architectural details than be distracted by the colors and lights.