How often do we pause to consider the spiritual heart of a place? Here at Ateneo de Manila High School stands the St. Kostka Chapel. It is more than just a building. It embodies Filipino Catholic and Atenean identity.
The St. Kostka Chapel wasn’t always as we see it today. Once, it was the tallest structure in the high school. That was until the Math Science and Technology building was built. The original chapel could only hold about 200 students. This was roughly the size of four to six classes. In 2011 the chapel underwent a major renovation and expansion. Now, it can accommodate one whole batch of roughly 600 students.
During the renovation the school’s principal Fr. Raymund Benedict Hizon S.J. had a vision. He wanted a chapel that would manifest Catholic faith. Thus, the new chapel’s design was born.
Notice the large retablo. It houses images of saints and angels depicting Jesuit and Atenean devotion. The retablo is considered the centerpiece of any baroque church interior. Baroque church architecture became prominent in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. It is now recognized as part of our cultural heritage. The retablo of the St. Kostka Chapel shares qualities with those in our country’s baroque churches. Look closely at the wrought iron metalwork. It features Filipino icons like anahaw and banana leaves. You can also spot maya birds and pako tendrils.
The chapel’s design incorporates the art deco style of the 1960s. This brings back the history of art deco in the Philippines. When this style was introduced it became popular among Filipino architects.
Consider the Philippine tropical climate. Windows surround the structure allowing wind to enter. There are no partitions in the main area. This allows for great wind circulation. The high ceilings allow hot air to rise. Frosted glass windows provide ample natural lighting during the daytime.
The Ateneo High School’s layout is similar to a Spanish-colonial barangay. The St. Kostka Chapel takes the place of the cathedral. In front of the chapel is the Promenade of Our Lady. This acts as the symbolic barangay plaza. Surrounding the promenade and chapel are the high school classrooms. They can be seen as houses of the town.
The chapel together with the covered courts as its extension fosters a sense of community. This brings the whole school together. The EDSA walk passes through the St. Kostka Chapel. The renovation allowed the chapel to occupy the space of the main corridor. It makes the EDSA walk appear as part of the structure. Passing through this chapel is now inevitable. It serves as a symbol of making faith and spirituality part of the students’ everyday lives. The chapel can be seen as the heart of the school. The EDSA walk symbolizes the main artery.
In front of the chapel is the Promenade of Our Lady. In front of the façade stands an image of Mary with an Ateneo High School student. This signifies the school’s strong Marian devotion. The image and chapel symbolically face the Philippine flag. The alignment of these three signifies equal importance. It signifies instilling spirituality devotion and nationalism in each student.
The St. Kostka Chapel manifests the Filipino Catholic and Atenean spirit through its symbolic architecture. It serves as a reminder of the values that this institution holds dear. It is a place where faith culture and identity intertwine.