A Study on the Rehabilitation Project of the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Church

Abstract

The Study on the Rehabilitation Project of St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Church answers the question: How was the rehabilitation of the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Church managed? It examines the two fundamental aspects of project management, which are planning and implementation. The study documents the history and background, and the architectural features of the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Church prior to the rehabilitation project. The study also documents the rehabilitation project and the changes made to the original structure. In 1968, National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin designed the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Church, whose design is the precursor of that of the Folk Arts Theater. Unfortunately, in September 9, 2005, the interior of the parish church was badly damaged in a fire brought about by faulty electrical wiring. The damage was extensive that only the 28 concrete buttresses and the fins of the old church structure remained which accounts to 70-80% of the whole structure. Through the initiative of parish priest, Rev. Fr. Benito B. Tuazon, and the collaboration of the parish community, the church underwent rehabilitation with Dominic Galicia as its new architect. There are two committees-the Fundraising Committee and the Construction Committee-formed to handle the management of the rehabilitation project of the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Church. With the proper guidance of Architect Dominic Galicia, the parish decided on a returning a building preserving the features rehabilitation project which involves into use through alteration while of the original building which are significant to its historical and architectural value. Architect Dominic Galicia, as a member of the Advisory Council of the Heritage Conservation Society, was very much concerned about preserving the remaining concrete structures of the old church to honor the work of Architect Leandro V. Locsin as a National Artist. However, in any construction project for churches, the need of the parish should be attended first before any architectural concern. As a result, in the design of the rehabilitated parish church, the remaining fins of the old church had to be eliminated in the process to provide room for the frontline and in the mezzanine. In the rehabilitated St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Church, the 28 concrete buttresses were the only parts of the old church structure that were retained. Hence, Architect Leandro V. Locsin' s essential architectural character of massive floating roof slab can no longer be seen. The reason for this can be attributed to the primary concern of addressing to the need of the parish for a bigger place of worship. With only few refinements left, the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Church was ready for use in time for the feast day of Saint Alphonsus on August 01, 2007. The actual rehabilitation project took almost two years which corresponds to what Architect Dominic Galicia has expected. In terms of the actual cost, the proposed budget of 40 million escalated to more than 64 million due to unavoidable circumstance which is the high inflation rate during the rehabilitation project. The St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish was successful in its seven objectives for the rehabilitated parish Church. The first in accordance with the Liturgical Requirements of the Catholic Church-was achieved through the constant communication of the parish to the Liturgical Commission. The second-it will imbibe and express the charisma of the patron saint, St. Alphonsus-was ensured with the extensive research done by Architect Dominic Galicia about the life and work of St. Alphonsus and incorporating it in the design of the rehabilitated parish church. The third-it will be durable and could withstand the test of time and natural threats-was ensured by hiring a world expert in seismic engineering, Structural Engineer Carlos Villaraza. The fourth-it will be functional and worshipper oriented- is brought about by complying with the Liturgical Guidelines. The fifth-done in the most economical way possible was achieved by applying the concept of value engineering and direct negotiation of the parish with the suppliers. The fifth environmentally concerned-was attained by the incorporation of operable glass window in the church's new design. The last something bigger-was achieved by adding a mezzanine level. The study concluded that the rehabilitation of the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Church was effectively and efficiently managed by the key people involved which aid for the achievement of the vision and objectives of the parish. This was realized through the careful planning, constant coordination, and having vision and objectives. Consequently, a magnificent and liturgically sound parish church comes out from the ruins of the original structure. Furthermore, even though, the 28 concrete buttresses are now only 20-30% of the new church, it is worth mentioning that the parish made an effort to save what was left of the church designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin. Having a background on architectural heritage preservation is of great importance. Without this, what was left of the church might have been totally lost.