Kalookan Diocese, ETFFI ink MOA for old La Loma chapel’s conservation
THE Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan and Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc. (ETFFI) signed a memorandum of agreement on Saturday, June 19, 2021, for the conservation and preservation of the 19th century chapel inside the La Loma Cemetery in Kalookan.
The Kalookan diocese has been working on the conservation project since 2017.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan requested ETFFI’s assistance and conducted an ocular inspection and assessment of the old chapel’s condition.
Before the signing of the agreement, the old chapel was scanned digitally by the foundation for the conservation management plan.
Restoration of the main facade is expected to be completed in eight months, according to Arch. Jeffrey Cobilla, head of Escuela Taller’s conservation team. Further interventions for the entire chapel and its grounds will require several years of conservation work.
Escuela Taller advised that the project be followed up with a preventative maintenance program to ensure that the historic property is properly cared for in the future.
“We want the “lumang simbahan” to become a center for worship again, not only during All Saints and All Souls Day. We also want to return the old chapel‘s crowning glory. We want the people to see the chapel functioning and providing liturgical services,” said Fr. Paul Woo, one of Diocese of Kalookan archivists and Cultural Heritage director.
“It is important to educate the community about heritage and heritage sites. The value that comes from every artifact is a gentle reminder for all of us to appreciate the richness of history, culture, and heritage that come from within. It is also an opportune time to educate everyone else in the Diocese and perhaps even other natives or residents who belong to other faith traditions to give importance to structures, find meaning in it, and develop a sense of appreciation as each artifact turn back time for all of us such that we can also pass it on to the next generation,” Fr. Woo added.
Personalities such as the late Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano, Spanish master painter Joaquin Maria Herrer and other prominent families have been laid to rest at the La Loma Cemetery. By AMADEUS ALBERT QUITCO
