Taal church at center of war between art, expansion

THE CENTURIES-OLD Taal Basilica in Taal, Batangas, stands tall amid a feud over expansion plans by the priest in charge of the church. MARICAR CINCO/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

TAAL, BatangasA centuries-old Catholic church here, famous for its Baroque architecture and trompe loeil (deceives the eye) painted ceilings, is at the center of a lingering battle between art and the churchs need for more room.

Renowned glass sculptor

Ramon Orlina had asked the court here to permanently stop all construction at the St. Martin de Tours Basilica, popularly known as the Taal Basilica, spearheaded by the parish priest, Msgr. Alfredo Madlangbayan.

Both parties, accompanied by their legal counsels, had presented evidence in a pretrial hearing at the Taal Regional Trial Court (RTC). Judge Juanita Areta, of Branch 86, set the start of the hearing in February next year.

We will fight them. I will not take it sitting down, Madlangbayan told the Inquirer in an interview.

The structure being questioned in the case is a one-story events venue outside the basilica. The construction of a 280-square meter events hall started last year but it was ordered stopped by the Taal RTC in November 2013. A temporary restraining order was issued based on the petition of Orlina.

Its been a year already. We dont have a place where meetings could be held. Just imagine a church without a hall for meetings and seminars, Madlangbayan said.

It was Orlina who called the attention of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in October 2013 to the changes made at the basilica since Madlangbayan was installed in 2010.

Among these are the re-painting of the altar in shades of gold and the construction of an arcade, eight vendors stalls, a small ossuary, bird coops and a small fountain around the church yard.

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Taal church at center of war between art, expansion