Belfry of Basilica collapses

CEBU, Philippines - Three months before the famed Sinulog festival celebrated in honor of the Child Jesus, the bell tower of the historic Basilica del Sto. Niño collapsed following the strong earthquake yesterday morning.

Junie Sarsalejo, 34, a resident of Barangay Busay, was right outside the concrete fence below the tower when the structure collapsed.

“I dropped off my mother at the Basilica to hear mass. I decided not to go inside and just light a candle and offer prayers here (outside the main gate) because I planned to leave ahead. When I was praying, I felt a strong tremor and debris starts to fall. I tried to start my motorcycle but I could not since I was already panicking. Luckily, a foreigner grabbed me right before a huge brick fell to my motorcycle,” Sarsalejo told The Freeman.

Shortly after the quake, a team from Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) gave Sarsalejo first aid.

His mother, Emilia Irabagon, 68, believes they were saved by the Sto. Niño.

“I am really thankful to Sr. Sto. Niño that my son was spared from that huge brick that fell from the bell tower. This is truly a miracle,” Irabagon told The Freeman.

Basilica rector Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA said it was a blessing that the incident happened on a holiday.

“Good thing this happened on a holiday and morning. Had it happen nga Friday (devotion day) and Sunday, it could have been worse. God is so good,” Mejares said.

Mejares was celebrating mass when the earthquake struck Bohol, Cebu and other parts of the Visayas.

“Wala nahuman ang misa kay nanagan na man ang mga tawo pagawas. Of course, the priest had to also run for safety,” he said.

Because debris have blocked the main gate of the Basilica compound along Osmeña Boulevard, Mejares said the other gates would need to be opened.

He said the Holy Rosary every 5 p.m. and the mass that follows will push through but the same will be held the Pilgrim Center pending assessment of its structural stability.

“I already spoke with Architect Yumi Espina and colleagues to ask for an assessment on the structural capacity of the church after being damaged,” Mejares said.

A few hours after the quake, newly-assigned Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes visited the Basilica and asked for prayers.

“Atong awhag ang dugang pag-ampo nga wala nay further damage. We learned that churches in Bohol and Cebu were also damaged plus there are already casualties. We appeal to everybody to offer prayers,” Cortes said.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella also inspected the Basilica and visited other churches in the city to assess damage.

The Canopy at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral main entrance was also damaged while other churches are closed temporarily, including the Lourdes Parish in Punta Princesa, Holy Cross Parish in Basak Pardo, and Pardo Parish Church. Masses will be held at the churches’ grounds. –(FREEMAN)