This subsequent development accounts on the issue of renovation of the Dipolog Cathedral. As this topic awakens my knowledge in history, pride of our people and preserving Architecture...History has it, that, in the year 1894, a Jesuit priest erected this church, and through his efforts, he set to prepare it to become a parish two years after its foundation was laid.. details on the interior design and style was explained in the previous entry... and more of Cathedral chronicles click here...
The original church facade was built out of a concept of aesthetics that meets with functionality. The design was rendered in a Medieval secular type of Architecture prevalent during those
times . It is a flawless example of a Pre-Romanesque and Spanish Baroque style in the Philippines. The portico of the facade is characterized by the use of slightly pointed arches and king-sized windows with details in rhythmic patterns and cherubs in a Bas-Relief manner...(the interior side walls of the church also has a similar pattern that of the old facade). The identical towers if I'm not mistaken serves as watch towers than a belfry. This is common among churches in the old days that serves as protection of the people from marauding pirates.I was told that, when this church was ordered for construction at the end of the 19th century, a number of Boholano natives were commissioned to built it, and one of them was my Great grandfather from the town of Maribojoc, Bohol (an island in the Visayas region also known for its Majestic Colonial period Churches)....although, this needs further research but this interest can be supported by one of the largest clan in Dipolog today.
This Old facade have witnessed the development of the place, survived World Wars I & II, famine and other calamities....and welcomed the names of famous historical figures like the National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal.... (inset: Former President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Romualdez)Until.
In the 1970's, the facade was demolished and
redesigned due to its dilapidated condition and its done in a Neo-classical style... they never gave way for restoring the Old one..Its porticoes adds grandeur to this simple yet modern style Architecture..but, it only lived for four decades.Until.
This year, a tremendous amount of change was
made...this time, it is rendered in stone brick work...not usual for any of the previously mentioned Architectural Movements....its details and style may have been borrowed and copied from centuries old churches and it adds attraction...but it failed to to retain the originality and the uniqueness of what It was once a magnificent Church...Being a descendant of one of the builders of this Church, it is also my duty to bring forth the voice of my distant ancestors....and share a story of a great work or Art lost forever....
The above old photos became a tangible proof of the magnificence and splendor of the old Cathedral facade in my hometown. This blog entry is in a way of expressing gratitude to Dr. Louis Felipe B. Lacaya's efforts in digging up these vintage photos from his collection, as this, has become a window to our past.
Thanks to: Mrs. Fe R. Montilla, Maryan Tizon, Juanna Mercado, http://dipologcity.com/Diocese.htm
