An artist and a parish priest clashed over plans to build an events venue beside a historic church in Taal, Batangas. Artist Ramon Orlina mounted a campaign to “preserve the antiquity and beauty” of Taal Basilica, also known as Basilica de San Martin de Tours. Orlina is opposing the construction of an arcade which he believes will ruin the chances of the basilica and the entire town to be declared a World Heritage Site. Taal Basilica, said to be the biggest Catholic church in Asia, is the centerpiece of the heritage town of Taal, dubbed as the “Vigan near Metro Manila.” Parish priest Alfredo Madlangbayan plans to put up a two-storey events venue for wedding receptions, debuts, conferences and church meetings. Its first level is almost complete.
But its construction was not approved by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
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