St. Joseph shrine outlines design for basilica status

The National Shrine of St. Joseph presented an initial look at the preliminary schematic plan of the church to the public during a stakeholders' meeting held yesterday, March 19, as its application to become a basilica moves forward.

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Fr. Ian Fel Balankig, a member of the shrine's Team of Pastors, together with Architect Roy John de Guzman of RDG Ecclesiastical Architecture, shared the recent developments of the church during the meeting.

Fr. Balankig said the gathering was also intended to give stakeholders a sense of ownership of the project, especially since the construction is expected to cost more than P100 million. He added that once stakeholders take ownership of the project, completing the construction would be much easier.

He said the church welcomes families who wish to take ownership of specific components of the project or contribute any amount in donations to help fulfill the shared dream of the church.

“God willing, we will construct this simultaneously, if they would commit. That is why we laid out all the plans for all the development, (kahit) iba iba ang contractor but just follow this plan so that pasok tayo sa timeline,” Fr. Balankig said.

The priest added that Archbishop Abet Uy hopes that in less than six years, the application for basilica status can be presented to Rome.

By 2029, they hope to submit the required documents.

The architect said they will retain the current interior design of the church and continue it to its exterior facilities, which follows a turn-of-the-century style influenced by Neoclassicism and the American period.