Devotion in design

Why should millennials be interested in design details that go into churches? Because they tell stories of the way we were, and define sacred art as part of our culture and history.

Did you know, for instance, that Luis Ma. Araneta, a man renowned for his taste in art, designed the original structure of the Immaculate Conception parish church in Cubao? It was commendable, but it required some changes given its new status. It became a cathedral when the diocese became independent from the Archdiocese of Manila.

A time of rebirth, a Renaissance began. That was 21 years ago in 2003. The then new bishop, Honestio Ongtioco, needed a church to house the new cathdra, or the seat of the bishopric.

A new artist was quickly commissioned to transform the church into a cathedral.

 Rafael del Casal, a portraitist and designer, had been involved in many church projects since he was a young man. He used to assist at Sto. Domingo Church, his involvement stemming from his grandmother’s great devotion to the Virgin of La Naval.

Sacred art was not new to him but this was going to be a different endeavor. His artistry would be applied in various media. Only the best local artisans and craftsmen would be employed to translate his ideas into reality. Then parish priest, the late Monsignor Dan Santa Maria, made sure of this. The objective was to enhance an already beautiful church with compatible motifs inspired by the Renaissance.

Its current rector and parish priest, Father Steven Zabala, recalls that this parish was chosen as the cathedral because of its large size. It accommodates many people and it is accessible with its central location right in the middle of the territory of Cubao, along Lantana and New York Streets.

It also turned into a homecoming for Father Steven. He was a parishioner here through the 1980s and ’90s where he was also ordained a deacon and served from 1995-96.

Since then Father Steven has witnessed the magnificent transformation of the place from parish church into diocesan cathedral. With more intricate illustrations and designs on the ceiling and stained-glass windows, he saw a fitting tribute to the Almighty.

“The House of the Lord should be a place of beauty. If you enter the church, it brings you into silence, into a prayerful mode, and interest in connecting with the Divine. The Divine atmosphere—this cathedral has it.”

Father Steven adds, “The late Dan Santa Maria was the parish priest here. Once he learned it was going to be the cathedral, he started beautifying the old church to become more cathedral-like. Father Dan entertained many proposals on how to go about this, and many of them were also beautiful, but he was most convinced by (del Casal’s) proposal because of its coherence. Everything must be coordinated—no dissonance—with the elements reinforcing each other.

The church, begun by the Society of the Divine Word Missionaries in 1950, had (the bones) of the Renaissance style, and therefore all design must be according to the language of the Renaissance. This was the framework that was built upon.”

The first and only Bishop of Cubao, Honesto Ongtioco, shares his thoughts on the importance of arts in sacred places of prayer: “We get attracted 85% by the sense of sight, and presentation. (In this way) the church has been using arts to deepen the faith of people.”

Standing at the doorway of carved rosettes, one is struck by the regal blue banners that flank the main aisle of the church. They seem to convey the simple elegance of the cathedral’s patroness with her gold monogram. The painted ceiling appears as a blue sky dotted with golden stars, symbolizing the protective mantle of the Blessed Mother.

Between the arches of the nave are medallions—distinguished portraits of the 12 apostles. Rafael painted these on canvas, which were then mounted high up on the walls. Upon reaching the crossing before the sanctuary, huge paintings of the four Evangelists are on the vaulted ceiling. They were made by the hand of Rafael, who painted them on site. Each are 11 feet in diameter.

Rafael designed new stained-glass images executed by Kraut Glass to replace some of the previous colored glass windows. These commemorate various events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her spouse, St. Joseph. These windows are located at the left (north) and right (south) transepts and the choir loft.

Midway through the nave would be twin stained-glass windows, across from one another, where angels seem to guard the penitents in confession, surrounded by symbols of penance. Made into reality by VitreArtus from del Casal’s design, they are located above the carved wooden confessionals—also designed by Del Casal and made by the Foccolare workshops.

The metalworks on the tabernacle and altar are finely made, with miniature statues of the Evangelists and angels on the ambo. The chandeliers and sconces were also locally made. A friend joked that these came not from Italy but from “Italikod” because they were manufactured right at the back of the church.

Rafael explains that he draws his designs into a pattern on paper exactly to scale for the craftsman to accurately translate the work into its actual size.

A new baptistry chapel was built at the lower level of the church, next to the also newly constructed crypts. A rectory and adoration chapel were also added. The pre-cast architectural details were made by the reputable House of Pre-cast.

The main renovation was done in stages to manage the work well. They started in 2002, a year before the official proclamation of the new Diocese. Though most of the work is completed, it still continues as the confessional windows were blessed only last year. 

The Diocese of Cubao is home to a dynamic faithful that matches its inspiring headquarters. It is blessed with the most religious communities in the Philippines: 97 congregations of women and 42 for men—a total of 139. The beloved Bishop has visited 106 of them already. 

Father Steven adds, “The cathedral community is like a little Vatican because of the number of religious congregations in the area. Morning masses are well-attended by religious sisters. The mixed members of the community are vibrant servants for the cathedral. Their apostolates include providing scholarships and organizing street dwellers with the help of students from The University of the Philippines.”

The Diocese of Cubao celebrated its 21st canonical anniversary on the 28th of this month. Those who speak of its rebirth as its own diocese again relive the experience in joyful humility, ever mindful that all the work done here was given with great devotion for the love of Our Lady and Mother Church.