Free guided tours of San Sebastian Basilica on March 24

San Sebastian Basilica. Photo: Chester Ong/SSBCDFI

Planning a visita Iglesia during Holy Week? The historic, all-steel San Sebastian Basilica in Quiapo is offering free tours on March 24, Maundy Thursday.

A member of its conservation foundation will give free guided tours to visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on that day.

Both a National Historical Landmark and a National Cultural Treasure, San Sebastian was built of Belgian steel in 1881 and inaugurated a decade later.

The basilica is currently undergoing renovation to repair the damage caused by heavy corrosion of its metal structure over the decades. The San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation, Inc. (SSBCDFI) is now on its way to phase two, which includes the actual repair procedures. It expects its work to be finished by 2020.

Photo: Estan Cabigas/SSBCDFI

The San Sebastian Holy Week schedule also includes the following:

• March 24 (Maundy Thursday): Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the Washing of the Feet at 5:00 p.m.
• March 25 (Good Friday): Siete Palabras at 1:00 p.m., Procession of Sto. Entierro at 3:00 p.m., and Procession of Soledad at 9:00 p.m.
• March 26 (Black Saturday): The Easter Vigil in the Holy Spirit, 8:00 p.m.
• March 27 (Easter Sunday): Salubong followed by Solemn Mass, Agape and Easter Egg Hunt at the Basilica Garden at 4:00 a.m.

The free tours are run by the SSBCDFI, which also offers guided tours of the basilica and its spires during the rest of the year. Teachers and residents of Quiapo can enjoy free tours year round. — BM, GMA News

For more information about the free guided tours on Maundy Thursday, email savesansebastian.org@gmail.com or call the SSBCDFI at 708-5122.