The Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, more popularly known as the UP chapel at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, was spruced up in 2020 by DMCI Homes, just in time for the new year.
DMCI Homes worked on rehabilitating the 65-year-old historical landmark by repairing its old and worn-out parts and repainting its interior and exterior facades. Work started in July 2020 and completed last December.
Bringing the chapel to its original state
DMCI Homes did a series of consultations with UP officials and UP parish to address the immediate needs of the chapel, and to ensure that its original state of beauty and elegance were maintained when the repairs were executed.
Work on the chapel was supposed to start early 2020, but the pandemic pushed back the restoration plan to the latter part of the year.
DMCI Homes led a team that facilitated the repair of masonry cracks, de-clogging of downspouts and drains, and the installation of new electrical fixtures. Repainting work was performed on the chapel’s iconic dome and roof as well as its walls, columns, eaves, under slabs, ceilings, and railings.
The murals depicting the stations of the cross, the marble altar, the floor mural, and the cross at the center of the chapel – all handiworks of national artists – were left untouched during the rehabilitation.
Restoration to continue in 2021
DMCI Homes will restore in 2021 the chapel’s ceiling, or the underside of the dome, as this was rescheduled to give way for the church activities during the 2020 Christmas season.
Completed in 1955, the UP chapel was designed by national artist for architecture Leandro Locsin and built by Engr. David M. Consunji, founder of the DMCI group of companies.
The structure is considered an architectural landmark due to its unique design as it is the first circular chapel in the country with the altar in its center. It is also the first structure in the country to feature a thin-shell concrete dome, made possible through Consunji’s innovation in the mixing and delivery of concrete. It is the only structure in the country to feature the works of five national artists.