Thread by @ABSCBNNews

Fr Roberto Sanchez gazes at the historic St John the Baptist Church at Bato, Catanduanes. Like many homes and infrastructure in Catanduanes, the church was not spared by typhoon #RollyPH. | via @jacquemanabat

@jacquemanabat The structure was Fr Sanchez's thesis and fell in love with its history. The church was built in 1800s from coral stones gathered by residents from a nearby river. | via @jacquemanabat

RELATED STORY: bit.ly/36ipmkH

@jacquemanabat The oldest church in Catanduanes, St John the Baptist, sustained serious damage from the onslaught of typhoon #RollyPH.

But its sturdy stone walls seemed untouched.

Fr. Sanchez says the church was the island’s symbol of faith. | via @jacquemanabat

@jacquemanabat In the 1980s, priests used the bells of St John the Baptist church to alert the town if they monitor strong winds, unusual river current and arriving pirates from its tower windows.

The bells and walls of the church remain intact amid wrath of typhoon #RollyPH | @jacquemanabat

@jacquemanabat St John the Baptist appeals for help to restore the oldest church in the island of Catanduanes. The church is one of the province’s heritage site and the community’s symbol of faith.

More details here: bit.ly/32n20t8 | via @jacquemanabat