Building Name

Pasig Cathedral
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral or also known as Pasig Cathedral is called the first
Marian church in the Philippines and is said to be the first in Asia. The Visitation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary (1573), whose feast day is July 2, was the church's first patroness. Only
on April 25, 1587, was the title of Immaculate Conception acknowledged.
Architect/Designer
Founder: Alonso de Alvarado
On January 20, 1572, an Augustinian priest named Alonso de Alvarado founded the
Immaculate Conception Parish as a mission parish in the settlement of Pinagbuhatan.
However, because of recurrent floods in the old location, the Augustinian priests decided to
transfer it to high grounds, where the cathedral presently exists.
Consultant: Dr. Fiorello R. Estuar
Dr. Fiorello R. Estuar earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of
the Philippines Diliman in 1959, as well as master's and doctoral degrees in civil engineering
from Lehigh University in the United States, after which he returned to the Philippines for
private practice (1968). He was appointed Executive President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Construction and Development Corporation of the Philippines in 1983. He is still working
in engineering and management consultancy, although his main focus is on mass
transportation projects.
Construction Engineer: Juan M. Jason
Elect. Consultant: Remigio Buizon
Contractor: Grogun Inc.
Clock Restored by: F. Camacho & Sons
Clock Work Supervision: Noel T. Rivera

Date of construction or completion

1575 – 1576- Fray Juan de Alba laid the groundwork for the aforementioned stone church
and bell tower and during his tenure as Pasig Parish Priest, He transfer the center away from
the Pinagbuhatan to its current location.
1591- In the following years, there were improvements and construction to beautify and
enlarge the church until it was finally completed in the given year under Fray. Bartolome
Alcantara.
1639- There was a rebellion and it was led by Chinese individuals who had migrated to the
city and the church was burned down.
1747 and 1754- There was a reconstruction in the said church but it was not easily done and
the process was slow until it was finally finished between the year given under Fray Felix de
Trillo.
Less than a year later, the church was taken over by occupying British troops, who utilized it
as a form of a fortress in their fight against the Spanish forces headed by Simon de Anda.
August 2, 1968- The church has survived the Philippine Revolution and World War II, but an
earthquake in 1968 (the same one that caused the fall of Manila's Ruby Tower) did
considerable damage to the church bell tower, which was subsequently rebuilt in 1980. An
earthquake of magnitude VI exacerbated the damage and completely shut the bells.
On December 6, 1980, the people of Pasig restored the church and rededicated it to their
patroness, the Immaculate Conception.

Location
The Pasig Cathedral is a Catholic church located in Plaza Rizal, Barangay Malinao, Pasig
City, Metro Manila. It is the mother church, the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Pasig, and
one of the city's oldest structures.
It is located near Pasig Catholic College and accessible on Caruncho Ave. Some of the
landmarks near the Cathedral are Plaza Rizal and the Pasig Museum.

Architectural Style (fully expounded and qualified)

The Pasig cathedral, like other churches in the Philippines, is built in a Baroque Spanish style
with the use of adobe bricks. There were a lot of changes and construction that happened on
the church, especially during the twentieth century but the bell tower retains its historic
significance.
Because most Spanish missionaries were not skilled in architecture or engineering, local
inhabitants, especially Filipinos and Chinese migrants, would work alongside the Spanish
friars to build and construct local churches. The missionaries' and townspeople' ideas
skillfully combined native Spanish styles with a distinctively Oriental design.
This church became a symbol of the union of European church design and construction with
indigenous materials and ornamental patterns, resulting in the formation of a new church-
building tradition.
The churches' common and distinctive characteristics include their enormous look, which
demonstrates a fortress/protective-like nature in reaction to any resistance and the geologic
circumstances of an area prone to seismic activity. The churches are constructed of stone (tuff
or coralline limestone), brick, and lime. It served as a garrison and watch tower for British
troops during the height of the war between Great Britain and Spain. They chose this as their
base because it has strong foundations and walls, one of the characteristics of Baroque
architecture.
Architectural Inventory
Are there specific parts that are special to the design?

Church Frontage
The church's simple and airy front is a combination of Neo-classical and colonial Baroque
styles. Its bell tower is massive in comparison to the rest of the structure. The triglyphs that
separate the first, second, and third levels are the sole embellishments. On the second floor, it
contains a few semi-arched openings and modest rose windows. Doric columns hold the
triangular pediment. A tiny Renaissance-style railing adorns the roof. On the second level is
an Augustinian sign of a sculpted heart.
Bell Tower
The bell tower is directly attached to the church and it can be seen immediately based on its
exterior outlook and how many floors it has due to its horizontal plaster line patterns. In the
first block or level of the tower, you can see a medium circular window. On the successive
floors, there are identical arched large windows with baluster followed by the tower clock
located there.
Bamboo Organ
On the left side of the transept (facing the altar), the bamboo organ and the place where the
saint’s images are placed are located.
Interior part
Like other churches, it is cross-shaped with two aisles on either side and a nave in the middle.
It also has a transept, ambulatory, altar, and apse in the front.

What is the methodology of construction?

2011- People were complimenting the administration of Pasig's Immaculate Conception
Cathedral Parish a few years ago for restoring their retablo mayor in preparation for their
patroness' Canonical Inauguration.
The Pasig Cathedral was recently featured in the Lifestyle Section of the Philippine Daily
Inquirer for restoring its facade by using a special mix of lime and mortar to preserve the
facade, which had been badly deteriorating due to the numerous layers of cement that had
been used to plaster the exterior.
Michael Manalo and his colleagues, who earned a Masters in Architectural Conservation
from a Mexican institution, completed the work commissioned by Fr. Roy Rosales, the
newly-appointed Rector of the Cathedral and Chairman of the Diocese of Pasig's
Commission on Cultural Heritage. It was stated that mineral-based paint was their preferred
option since it would appear "protective rather than ornamental."
Fr. , Orly Cantillon was afterward selected as the new rector. He is the Vicar General of the
Diocese of Pasig, with the shift in management, came a significant alteration in the
appearance of the facade, which is as follows:
Due to the destruction of some parts of the facade after removing the cement that was on top
of it, They put mineral-based paint on the plastered facade because the plaster softens easily
with time. This method is also helpful just to prevent the church facade from collapsing or
tearing down because there are parts that are falling off due to the original already damaged
adobe.
The repair and reconstruction of the Pasig Cathedral are planned to be finished by March 25,
2022. The ceiling murals that can be seen in the church's interior are one of the renovation's
highlights. It concluded with a ceremonial inauguration and blessing presided over by Bishop
Mylo Hubert Vergara. The repair and refurbishment were carried out under the supervision of
Camarera Mayor Wilfrieda Legaspi and the Abang Lingkod ni Maria.

Detailed material inventory and analysis

Stone- One of the materials used to build this church is none other than stone. It is said that
the original stones that can be seen here today are from the year 1722 to 1760. And it is
recognized as the oldest building in the city of Pasig.
Adobe Bricks- The adobe brick is made by molding sand and clay with water to a plastic
consistency. As a binder, straw or grass is commonly used.
Baked red clay brick- Like the Church of St. Matthias (Tumauini, Isabela) This Cathedral
also used baked red bricks that became part of the ornament, especially in the buttresses of
the church. The artisans of Pampanga are known for making bricks like this, they may have
imported materials to make them.
Lime and Mortar-Lime is used as a binder in traditional construction mortars, plasters,
renders, and washes. Because they allow for movement without breaking, lime-based
solutions are also more suited for use in old buildings.
Cement plaster- Notice that cement has been used to make other parts of the church's façade
particularly to plaster the exterior. It is a common material, up-to-date, more economical, and
durable.

Heritage Value & Integrity

Why is this considered heritage?
It can be considered a heritage because it has become part of the history and lifestyle of the
Pasigeños. This structure has greatly contributed to shaping the culture, religion, and beliefs
of the people around it. It has been a witness to several events that have occurred in recent
times from the time when civilization developed in Manila, the Spanish era, the American
era, and even during the second world war. Apart from being called the first Marian Church
in the Philippines, it also played a big part in the daily life of the citizens from then to the
present time. The change in its architecture, with each renovation done and with each passing
year proves and reflects the duration of the service it has given to the city and its people.
When it is removed from the Pasig, it same feels like the city is stripped of its identity and
soul. This is the tangible wealth that can be passed down to its next citizens.
Recommendations
Provide a scholastic recommendation of how can this structure be conserved based on your
findings.