Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

1933 – following the elevation of the diocese into an archdiocese and the consecration of the new archbishop msgr. gabriel reyes (1932?1950), the cathedral undergoes renovation. the project is supervised by chinese cebuano engineer gavino unchuan based on plans made by cebu and manila architects eulogio tablante jr., felino c.t. lepon and julio ancheta. during the renovation, the retablo of the 1860s is torn down and replaced with a simple altar made of carrara marble imported from italy. above the marble altar are placed three stained glass windows portraying the archangels michael and gabriel with the lord in the center. the façade is extended to the camarin delos campaneros or the enclosed passageway to the belfry which used to be the bell-ringer's quarters, thus making the church look even bigger. the entire church is also plastered with cement covering the walls which are painted later.