Manila Cathedral | photo by Toto Villaruel for Imagine Nation Photography
[via Inquirer.net] Bad news for couples who have booked their weddings at the country’s premier church. The Manila Cathedral will be closed to the public for at least a year to make way for major repairs. Cracks found in key parts of the structure prompted the archdiocese to close the church starting Feb. 7, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle said on Monday.
“Based on the study presented to me toward the middle of January, there are some concerns raised about the structural integrity of the edifice [so] repairs are needed as soon as possible, not only to preserve the building but to ensure the safety of the community that uses the building,” Tagle said at a press conference at the Arzobispado in Intramuros, Manila.
Fr. Carlos Reyes, a civil engineer from the Ministry of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila, said a detailed study of the cathedral’s structural integrity found cracks in the building. Reyes said some of the columns and beams did not meet the standards set by the 2010 National Structural Code of the Philippines. “Such failures indicate conditions that render the structure as not safe. These conditions are compounded by the ever present threat of earthquakes that may hit Manila,” said Reyes.
Because of its rich history, the Manila Cathedral has been one of the popular venues for wedding ceremonies among Filipino couples, including celebrities and high-profile personalities.
Cathedral officials have formed a task force to explain the situation to couples, who have booked their wedding at the church and to help them find alternative venues. “There’s a ‘wedding task force’ helping these couples look for other church venues also within Intramuros and also negotiate for their schedule,” Tagle said.
Though the cathedral has been closed since Tuesday last week, it will continue to accommodate weddings until March, noted Reyes. Some 200 couples have been affected by its temporary closure, he added.
Several repairs have been made on the cathedral’s bell tower in recent history, said Reyes. “But this is going to be the first major repair of the church since 1958,” he added. [read full article]
Feedback from wedding suppliers
Below are actual feedback we got from wedding coordinators of affected couples via W@Wsdg (Suppliers’ Discussion Group):
“During my clients wedding last Saturday, guests were asked to take the side pews near the doors. The entourage and couple in front. Precautionary measures were explained before the rites. Sounded a bit scary but better safe than sorry.” ~Queen David of Just Like Ours
“We have an upcoming wedding on Feb. 26. Manila Cathedral met the Februay and March soon-to-weds together. Of course, the couples didn’t agree that their weddings be moved because it’s too close to their dates. Manila Cathedral agreed to finish all weddings until the end of March. The movement of churches for other couples will be starting April of this year.” ~Jody Liwanag of EventsExperts
“Wedding here today (Satudray). Everyone signed waivers and safety personnel wearing reflective vests (they hung around the entire ceremony like politicians’ bodyguards) showed us where the fire exits are in case of an earthquake. Adventure Wedding!” ~Bong Sare of Threelogy Video
February 17th, 2012 at 2:58 am
Just sad because we are one of the 200 couples that are affected, I was so happy when I booked them around 2nd week of January, as part of my excitement, I booked the hotel venue too…but now I am in a dilemma of looking for a church close to the venue we booked and that will also accommodate us at the time that we originally had or at least close to an evening reception. Almost all of the churches are fully booked for an afternoon wedding on a Saturday of January 2013…hayysss…ang toxic & kaloka *_*
But in fairness to Manila Cathedral, they are trying their best to help us, they just recently helped us make a temporary reservation in one of the churches in Manila that can accommodate us for an after noon reception, the said church refused to take reservation thru phone but when we asked Manila Cathedral to phone them and assist us, they will hold the slot for us for few days…just hoping we can meet their rules and regulations since we are from out of the country…
To the other couples who share the same predicament, never lose hope…every thing will come out perfect thru His help…Let us enjoy the rest of the wedding preps… ^_^
February 17th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Thanks EventsEXperts for your information, Coz me also has wedding coverage on Feb 28, at manila Cathedral..After we saw the news regarding the renovation, me and team are all worried specially to our beloved client, and all are disagree for this matter, due to the close notifications. We are bicol base videographers, all church requirements we’ve done, by traveling bicol to manila with my team, just to attend the seminar, Thanks for Manila Cathedral for allowing those booked client up to the end of march..Thanks also to EventsExperts for the helpful informative..-Topher Hermoso of Toperocreative.com
March 1st, 2012 at 3:08 pm
the bride was 1 1/2 hour late.. unfortunately, we we’re 2 1/2 hours late when we arrived at the church.. so we only got to shoot the first kiss of the newlyweds.. ;P
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:37 am
i’m a manila cathedral bride.. don’t lose hope guys, it’s true, just enjoy the wedding preps! and everything else will just be fine! why not?? it’s your BIG DAY! Have Fun! =)
congrats and good luck! <3