January 17, 2010

Repaired

Only the facade and the Chinese-influenced octagonal bell tower of the 1852 Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz, better known as the Binondo Church, survived the flattening of the City of Manila during WWII. It is easy to see which the oldest parts are, with their damaged reliefs and cracked pillars, but it is also quite easy to see where they are repaired and reinforced with new concrete.

Binondo Church

24 comments:

  1. GeorgeJanuary 17, 2010 at 7:14 AM

    I think it's wonderful that the church is being repaired instead of just being torn down. I'm not sure such a building would be saved over here.

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  2. Clueless in BostonJanuary 17, 2010 at 7:57 AM

    Great composition. The church facade looks very imposing.

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  3. Louis la VacheJanuary 17, 2010 at 8:04 AM

    «Louis» is happy to see this restoration/repair.
    Manila (and all of the Philippines) suffered terribly in WWII.

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  4. IamMBBJanuary 17, 2010 at 8:05 AM

    I think there's something beautiful about old war scarred buildings. Speaks to survival and perseverance.

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  5. brattcatJanuary 17, 2010 at 8:11 AM

    What a history this building has. And you have caught it at such a compelling angle.

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2010 at 10:13 AM

    Being of German origin I do feel forced to beg your pardon upon having being provided with such harm. Yet, how wonderful to see, that mankind and its hands are still able to repair nearly everything.
    Please have a wonderful Sunday.

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  7. LowellJanuary 17, 2010 at 10:44 AM

    Another of your striking compositions, Hilda...you have a way of making photography a drama, or dramatic! One can just imagine what this must have looked like after the war and how much work has gone into its restoration!

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  8. LianneJanuary 17, 2010 at 10:55 AM

    i want to take another carlos celdran tour! i think its time i refreshed my knowledge of philippine history

    leethroughthelens.blogspot.com

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  9. Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.comJanuary 17, 2010 at 11:36 AM

    Interesting angle, facade and history.

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  10. Mike RoseJanuary 17, 2010 at 12:51 PM

    Hilda a dark and rather foreboding facade. I wonder is the church still in use?

    Good to see that despite the bombing of Manila in WWII that parts of the city have indeed survived.

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  11. Chuck PefleyJanuary 17, 2010 at 1:23 PM

    Glad to see it has survived and been repaired.

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  12. Ben NakagawaJanuary 17, 2010 at 1:39 PM

    Nice shot and nice story for repaired facade, some one may wish it was with the smiler stones instead of concrete? However, it is important that was fixed and left for next generation.

    Thanks for comment on the Nelson DP.

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  13. Don and KriseJanuary 17, 2010 at 2:25 PM

    I love the angle here. You're darned good at it too. When you enlarge the photo you can sure see the cracks. I think I even see a few things growing up there. What an erie feel this shot has.

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  14. GreensboroDailyPhotoJanuary 17, 2010 at 9:15 PM

    As always, very informative Hilda. The rest of the world, USA especially, forgets the damage done in the Philippines during WWII. Thank you for SHOWING and reming us. We all need to find a way to work together, even today.....

    City blogging helps!

    Jan
    GDP

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  15. Petrea BurchardJanuary 17, 2010 at 11:15 PM

    This old beauty has a dramatic presence. Don gave me the word--it has an eerie beauty.

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  16. VPJanuary 18, 2010 at 12:02 AM

    I understand this very well, it happened here and only part of churches and building survived.
    Nice to see that almost the bell-tower of this beautiful survived and was restored.

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  17. arabesqueJanuary 18, 2010 at 12:33 AM

    hi hilda, yes, it needs restoration..., i hope they'll do something about it.

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  18. UnknownJanuary 18, 2010 at 2:57 AM

    Glad part of the building has survived WWII. The façade looks magnificent!

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  19. Cezar and LéiaJanuary 18, 2010 at 4:26 AM

    This facade is quite imposing and beautiful! Good to know that all is in place now!
    God bless you!
    Cezar

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  20. DinaJanuary 18, 2010 at 4:29 AM

    I hate to think of places like this being hurt in wars.

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  21. Leif HagenJanuary 18, 2010 at 4:33 AM

    What a monumental, magnificent building! It looks like some weeds are growing on it??

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  22. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2010 at 5:04 AM

    It's still a beautiful building with amazing detail, Hilda - wow.

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  23. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2010 at 5:12 AM

    I confess that I didn't know so much of Manilla was destroyed in WWII. At least some of the beauty is still there.

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  24. AndreeaJanuary 19, 2010 at 5:33 PM

    It's a beautiful building, I'm happy it survived the war and that is being restored.

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