For those not in the know, “bilog” is a kind of endearment which U.P. parishioners, especially those from the more distant puroks or areas, have accorded to the Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice. The term is appropriate, because the structural design is round or circular in form. The shape is circular, with the altar located at the center, which is surrounded by the communion rail. Even the pews follow a circular contour. The roof is domed. The rotund shape, so uniquely different from the conventional and rectangular design of most churches, is considered to be a pioneering endeavour. The UP Chapel antedated and perhaps facilitated the conceptualization and construction of the “Big Dome” or the Araneta Coliseum.
Anyway, my purpose is to stress the uniqueness and importance of our church. It is not my purpose to argue with parishioners who believe in the post-Vatican doctrine that “church” is not the physical structure but the people of God who comprise it. I wish to add quickly that even so, the physical church has not lost its relevance or lustre as a place of worship, where Mass and all other feasts of the Church are celebrated, including the solemnizing of the sacraments. In fact, from both historical and aesthetic perspectives, we continue to wonder at the beauty and grandeur of well-preserved churches such as San Agustin in Intramuros and St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Our church has been accorded the status of a historical shrine by the National Historical Commission, particularly because the unique church design and engineering, including the art pieces in it, are the handiwork of national artists.
In fairness to the good work of previous parish priests who did their best to maintain the church and its premises, there was a perception some years back that there was apparent deterioration as depicted in a series of articles run by Architect Paolo Alcazaren in his column, “City Sense” in the Philippine Star sometime in 2007. Maintenance and rehabilitation has been one of the priority projects of the current parish priest, Rev Fr Raymond L. Arre. In the very fist year of his term as parish priest, Fr Raymond launched a fund-raising project called “Shellter project” that generated some six million pesos, a large chunk of which went into the rehabilitation of the water leaks in the domed roof, the repainting of the outer shell as well as the inner ceiling and acoustical shell.
What does one notice nowadays in the physical qualities of the church? A gleaming white outer dome in lieu of its mossy look, a white-as-snow inner shell, improved acoustics and communication system, well-lighted stations of the cross murals by Manansala, plant and flower-laden ledges on significant occasions, and improved ventilation by installing clusters of quiet electric fans oscillating in various directions. These fans are located in the aisles and are meant to replace the old and noisy fans which get in the way of the liturgy.
I am sharing these impressions partly to help document recent occurrences in the parish. I also believe that improving the physical aspects of the church help create an appropriate climate for worship. (For feedback, please email npilar@ndcp.edu.ph or parishoftheholyscarifice@yahoo.com.)
For those not in the know, “bilog” is a kind of endearment which U.P. parishioners, especially those from the more distant puroks or areas, have accorded to the Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice. The term is appropriate, because the structural design is round or circular in form. The shape is circular, with the altar located at the center, which is surrounded by the communion rail. Even the pews follow a circular contour. The roof is domed. The rotund shape, so uniquely different from the conventional and rectangular design of most churches, is considered to be a pioneering endeavour. The UP Chapel antedated and perhaps facilitated the conceptualization and construction of the “Big Dome” or the Araneta Coliseum.
Anyway, my purpose is to stress the uniqueness and importance of our church. It is not my purpose to argue with parishioners who believe in the post-Vatican doctrine that “church” is not the physical structure but the people of God who comprise it. I wish to add quickly that even so, the physical church has not lost its relevance or lustre as a place of worship, where Mass and all other feasts of the Church are celebrated, including the solemnizing of the sacraments. In fact, from both historical and aesthetic perspectives, we continue to wonder at the beauty and grandeur of well-preserved churches such as San Agustin in Intramuros and St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Our church has been accorded the status of a historical shrine by the National Historical Commission, particularly because the unique church design and engineering, including the art pieces in it, are the handiwork of national artists.
In fairness to the good work of previous parish priests who did their best to maintain the church and its premises, there was a perception some years back that there was apparent deterioration as depicted in a series of articles run by Architect Paolo Alcazaren in his column, “City Sense” in the Philippine Star sometime in 2007. Maintenance and rehabilitation has been one of the priority projects of the current parish priest, Rev Fr Raymond L. Arre. In the very fist year of his term as parish priest, Fr Raymond launched a fund-raising project called “Shellter project” that generated some six million pesos, a large chunk of which went into the rehabilitation of the water leaks in the domed roof, the repainting of the outer shell as well as the inner ceiling and acoustical shell.
What does one notice nowadays in the physical qualities of the church? A gleaming white outer dome in lieu of its mossy look, a white-as-snow inner shell, improved acoustics and communication system, well-lighted stations of the cross murals by Manansala, plant and flower-laden ledges on significant occasions, and improved ventilation by installing clusters of quiet electric fans oscillating in various directions. These fans are located in the aisles and are meant to replace the old and noisy fans which get in the way of the liturgy.
I am sharing these impressions partly to help document recent occurrences in the parish. I also believe that improving the physical aspects of the church help create an appropriate climate for worship. (For feedback, please email npilar@ndcp.edu.ph or parishoftheholyscarifice@yahoo.com.)
By Nes Pilar
