Miag-ao Church undergoes rehabilitation!
Posted by on January 22, 2010
Last December I got the chance to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Miag-ao Church in Iloilo Philippines. When I finally got there, I got a big surprise: The Church is undergoing rehabilitation!
The rehabilitation project is spearheaded by the National Center for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA). I would believe that this project has the approval of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO), since World Heritage sites cannot just be easily rehabilitated, remodeled, or undergo reconstruction without the knowledge of UNESCO.
I guess the rehabilitation is already a need. During my previous visit a few months back, the coral stones are already full of dark molds, and its color is a far cry from the original yellow tint.
When I went there, I have seen how the workers would painstakingly clean every nook and cranny of the church. And they have to clean the church according to the rehabilitation set by the NCCA and the UNESCO, or else the church would lose its prestige and title as a World Heritage Site.
I hope to go back there again during the grand celebrations of the Dinagyang 2010 Festival in Iloilo City Philippines.
Postscript: I am on my way to Iloilo City now for a meeting today, and cover the Kasadyahan Festival on Saturday and the Dinagyang Ati-ati contest on Sunday. I will also be celebrating my birthday during the grand highlights of the Dinagyang Festival!
its nice to know that my favorite fortress baroque style church is undergoing rehabilitation. I must say that Miag-ao church is clearly a showcase of Filipino artistry..