The three architects came to Calbayog on a rainy October 2, 2009. They made an ocular inspection of the Cathedral and the project; and they came up with a Technical Report which they submitted to Bishop Isabelo Abarquez.
With the Bishop's permission, let me give you some contents of that report.
Technical Report on initial findings at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral:
1. Inspection of exterior buttresses at southeastern facade (this is the side facing Sen. Pres. Avelino Avenue )
- The exterior buttresses at the southeastern facade of the cathedral were stripped of cement plastering. These exposed buttresses are composed of two tiers. The lower tier, being more massive and thicker compared to the upper portion, is of bricks and stone rubble with lime mortar. The upper tier is made of coral stone blocks.
Upon initial inspection by the team, it has been found that the exposed bricks are already disintegrating. Much of its surface has come off with the cement plaster. In view of this, stripping of the cement plaster must be done manually with extra care.
2. Inspection of the Present Church Holdings in the Interior (altar table, retablo, side altars, etc.) (For some old pictures, please check this link)
- The apse of the cathedral containing the altar and retablo was also inspected. This area is severely altered. From old pictures, it can be determined that the side altars, pulpit, the wrought iron communion rail, the chandeliers and the frescoed ceiling have disappeared. The side and rear wall area has totally different wall treatment from the original. As for the retablo, the positioning of the saints have been altered.
3. Inspection of the Rear Facade (for some pictures, please check this link)
- In the exterior facade the team found some remnants of lime plaster on the coral stone blocks. It can then be assumed that the entire exterior wall of the Cathedral was originally plastered with lime.
- On the upper portion of the exterior facade wall the team discovered a seal bearing the year of the construction of the church. Unfortunately this year (the year starts with 18) is now partially erased due to the boaring of a hole right in the middle of the seal to receive what looked like a wooden beam.
- Flanking this seal are two hexagonal oculus which corresponds to the two windows behind the main retablo at the altar area of the Cathedral.
4. Inspection of the Ceiling and the Roof Truss system
- The team also inspected the roof trusses and the ceiling system. It has been determined that the 12”x12” ridge beam and the 8”x8” roof trusses made of molave wood are in very good condition. There are only a few members of the truss system that needs to be replaced.
- The ceiling system is comprised of 2”x2” ordinary wood nailers and is covered by cement plaster on chicken wire matting. Much of the wood nailers are rotting away due to leaks on the roof. It has been explained that the rib-type galvanized iron roofing has not been properly installed, hence the leakage.
- The cement plaster ceiling is disintegrating at some parts, especially those near the edges where it meets the interior walls. This system, which is heavy and odes not deflect heat coming from the roof, is posing a threat to the safety of the users of the Cathedral due to falling debris.
5. Inspection of the Portecochere, Bellfry and the Front Facade
- The front facade of the Cathedral has been severely altered (based on old pictures). The original austere facade, quite commonplace in the Franciscan order’s architecture, is now lost to the neo-romanesque style adopted in the present facade. Noteworthy is the construction of the Bellfry and Portecochere which are made of modern materials and modern finishes.
Recommendations:
1. Short Term Recommendations
- It is the team’s recommendation that the stripping of the cement plaster be continued since this type of plaster is not compatible with the coral stones, bricks and river stones used on the original fabric.
- It is recommended that the people involved in the stripping of the cement plaster be educated in the manner of stripping so as not to further damage the disintegrating surface of the bricks.
- Once stripped of cement plaster, it is recommended that the brick and rubble stone buttresses be re-plastered using lime to ensure the prevention of further decay.
- Please review the additions, ornamentations of the front facade, as well as the finishes used on the Portecochere so that it integrates homogeneously with the original architecture of the cathedral.
2. Long Term Recommendations
- It is highly recommended that the custodians of the Cathedral come up with a Conservation Master Plan with a Preventive Maintenance Program to ensure the manageable conservation of the Cathedral.
- The Conservation Master Plan should already envision the repair works and interventions, immediate and long term, that are to be undertaken;
- Review the installation of the Rib-type Galvanized Iron Roof to prevent further leakage. This might require re-installation to correct over-lapping system;
- Review design of Ceiling system. It is recommended that the cement plaster ceiling be replaced with Marine Plywood once the rotten wood nailers have been replaced.
- It is recommended that heat insulation should be integrated into the Roof System.
- An Inventory of all Church Holdings i.e. moveable objects, furniture, retablos, altar table, chandeliers, etc. should be undertaken.
- It is recommended that a small Interpretation Corner or a small Exhibit of the Interventions being undertaken for the conservation of the Cathedral be put into place. This “media section” makes a brief explanation of what is being done and how the church will look like once all the works are completed.
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This report was submitted by the members of the Conservations Specialist Team:
Professor Eric Zerrudo
Director, UST Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics
Administrative Director, Escuela Taller de Intramuros
Architect Rino Fernandez
Professor, UST College of Architecture
Academic Coordinator, Escuela Taller de Intramuros
Architect Carmen Betina Bulaong
Senior Lecturer, UP College of Architecture
Workshop Coordinator, Escuela Taller de Intramuros
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