Concert series aims to restore historic Intramuros pipe organ
Regularly utilized in masses and in many weddings in years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, the 19th-century pipe organ of the San Agustin Church in Intramuros is in need of another round of restoration to ensure its conservation and continued use.
To carry out this objective, the Augustinian friars of the Convento de San Agustin held the San Agustin International Music Festival on Sept. 7, Nov. 14, and Dec. 13, which is the 420th anniversary of the completion of the church’s construction.
Fr. Ricky Villar, director of the San Agustin Museum, said the concert series was presented for free to the public through the church’s generous friends and sponsors.
Through this, he “encourages our audience to consider supporting the Music Festival so we can sustain our mission of bringing music to the people and in promoting public awareness and support to the San Agustin Church’s historic pipe organ.”
He added that this is needed since the pipe organ “constantly needs repair and reconditioning.”
War survivor
Just like the church complex, the pipe organ is a survivor of World War II. However, an intervention was made in 1976 converting its mechanical transmission to electric.
In the late 1990s, it was restored by the Las Piñas-based Diego Cera Builders Inc. and the Organeria Torquemada of Palencia, Spain.
The organ was built from 1810 to 1814 with Augustinian Provincial Fr. Joaquin Martinez de Zuñiga as proponent after the organ it replaced fell into disuse.
Local woods including baticulin, molave, narra, and tindalo were used in its construction with some of its pipes also made from wood. Some of its parts are actually older than 1814 as the usable parts of the older organ were reused in the present one.
This year’s concert series is the 12th edition of the event last held in November 2009.
The first offing last September, “Himig ng Pagkalinga” (Rhythm of Care) featured the St. Scholastica’s College String Ensemble, University of the East Silangan Dance Troupe, violinist Hiroyuki Matsuda, baritone Fr. Reynante Balilo, pianist and musical director Greg Zuniega, soprano Yvette Parcon, tenor Isaac Iglesias, cellist John Paolo Andrico and trumpeter Luke Manuel with Sim Zuniega as artistic director.
Jose Mari Chan topbilled the second concert last month, “Himig ng Kagalakan” (Rhythm of Joy) which also featured the St. Scholastica’s College Chamber Ensemble, flutist Raymond Sarreal, percussionist Emmanuel Rosales, Zuniega on piano, Rommel Cruz on contrabass, and Tarlac Mannerchor with Jero Buenviaje as conductor and Alvin Paulin as musical director.
The last of the series last week, “Himig ng Pagdiriwang” (Rhythm of Celebration) had St. Scholatica’s College Wind Orchestra conducted by Felicito Sacdalan, Reuben Laurente, soprano Cris Go, and pianist Greg Zuniega who also served as the music director.
All were held inside the San Agustin church although the last was planned to be held at the church’s patio but was changed due to weather conditions.
The patio is formerly a parking area but has been reverted back to its original purpose as an open space in March this year. At the center of this space now is the updated World Heritage Marker for the church which was unveiled on March 15.
Restoration
Completed in 1604, this church complex is one of four Baroque Churches of the Philippines inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1993 together with the churches of Paoay in Ilocos Norte, Sta. Maria in Ilocos Sur, and Miag-ao in Iloilo.
As the church and its objects are not just a heritage of the Filipino people but of the world, church authorities, with government help, continue to preserve and conserve the structure as to maintain its integrity and authenticity.
Recently, an initial meeting was held by its stakeholders for the restoration of its side door.
The meeting held at the church’s biblioteca, was attended by representatives from the San Agustin Museum, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and the Unesco National Commission of the Philippines.
