Manny and Cynthia Villar build a church for San Ezekiel

DESIGNED by architect Claude Edwin Andrews, Santuario de San Ezekiel Moreno marries Romanesque and Spanish colonial Baroque elements. PHOTOS BY LEO SABANGAN II

In former Sen. Manny Villars book, the Philippines has produced three saints: San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Pedro Calungsod and San Ezekiel Moreno. He and his wife Sen. Cynthia Villar honored the latter by building a Catholic church named after him.

Located at the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Sipag) compound on C5 Extension in Las Pias, the Spanish Baroque-inspired Santuario de San Ezekiel Moreno is designed by architect Claude Edwin Andrews.

CAMILLE Villar, Paraaque Bishop Jessie Mercado, Sen. Cynthia Villar, former Sen. Manny Villar, Fr. Rex Bangcaya, Manuel Paolo Villar

Weve done more than 300,000 homes all over the Philippines, including housing to those who have left us behind, said Manny Villar, referring to a memorial park adjacent to Villar Sipag. But the feeling is different when you finished a church, especially if the results are good.

The Villars previously built churches in Antipolo, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo. But Santuario de San Ezekiel Moreno is the biggest and by far the most beautiful church theyve built, the former senator added.

Stylized Spanish Baroque

After more than three years of construction, Santuario de San Ezekiel Moreno finally opened recently with a concelebrated Mass led by Paraaque Bishop Jessie Mercado.

This is a stylized form of Spanish Baroque architecture that was prevalent during colonial times, said Andrews. Although it follows the classic cruciform shape, it is definitely a modernized version.

Andrews decision to do away with columns gives worshippers an unimpeded view of the altar from anywhere inside the 726-seater church.

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Manny and Cynthia Villar build a church for San Ezekiel