Jun 27 2008
Another look at the old Opon Church
This is a follow-up to my previous ranting entitled “The Stupidity of Uninformed Modernization,” which tackled about the reckless moves of some priests in the 1960s resulting to the loss of some of Cebu’s beautiful stone churches.
Just recently a friend showed to me an archival photo of the Nuestra Señora dela Regla (Our Lady of the Rule) Church or more commonly known as Opon Church in Lapu-Lapu City which was published in Fray Pedro Galende’s book, “Angels and Stone.” The city then was known as Opon. The photo this time was shot from another angle in the seashore.
From the look of it I can attest that Opon church definitely had two facades — the main facade where the main entrance was and the other one at the opposite end of the church facing the sea. The one facing the sea is the part visible to anyone docking at Muelle Osmeña from a ferry ride from mainland Cebu. There was no bridge yet connecting Cebu and Mactan Island.
“Stupido tonto!” is all that I can say to those Dutch priests who demolished the church in the 1960s.
Below: The main facade where the main entrance was. (Photos from Trizer Dale Mansueto’s Flickr)
Below: The facade at the opposite side of the main facade. (Photo provided by Bernardo Arellano)
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August 1st, 2009 at 10:00 am
I had the experience of going to Opon church as a small child with my mother on a ferry boat from Pier 3 of Cebu City. You could feel the thrill of seeing the church at a distant coming closer as you approach the island.
From the steps at the docking port where candle vendors greeted embarking visitors, I would pass through the arch of the muelle and looked up with awe at the imposing church facade above.
Now, the church just appear in full sight at the turn of a street.