Archbishop Jose Palma stares on the turned-over pulpit panels from the Nationwide Museum of the Philippines on March 13. | Picture by Niña Mae Oliverio
CEBU CITY, Philippines — March 13, 2025, marks a big day in Cebu’s historical past, anticipated to additional enrich and increase the province’s religion tourism.
On this present day, the Nationwide Museum of the Philippines (NMP) formally turned over to the Archdiocese of Cebu 4 of the 5 pulpit panels from the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima in Boljoon, which had been lacking for the reason that Eighties.
Current on the ceremonial turnover on the Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu had been Division of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Archbishop Jose Palma, NMP Chairman Andoni Aboitiz, 2nd District Consultant Edsel Galeos, and Boljoon Mayor Jojie Derama, amongst many others.
READ: Controversial pulpit panels to return to Boljoon this March
Gratitude for the return
In his speech, Palma thought of the return of the panels a “stunning conclusion” to his time in Cebu. He’s set to retire quickly as he turns 75 on March 19, the necessary retirement age for archbishops and bishops of the Catholic Church.
“Such a treasure coming dwelling,” Palma stated.
Derama, in his speech, expressed gratitude to the provincial authorities and the Archdiocese for his or her efforts to convey again the panels and defend Boljoon’s heritage and tradition.
“Dako gyud kaayo namong pasalamat ug kalipay nga mabalik gyud ni ug kami magbinantayon pa para di na ni mawala usab.”
(We’re actually grateful and completely happy that these have been returned, and we will probably be extra vigilant so they are going to by no means go lacking once more)
Rev. Msgr. Arturo Navales, parish priest of the Boljoon church, additionally shared that every one parishioners are grateful for the panels’ return.
“With the panels quickly to be mounted, the presence of the panels as soon as once more would make Boljoon a respiration heritage,” Navales stated.
In the meantime, Governor Garcia acknowledged that the journey to get well the panels had been lengthy and difficult.
“Sa kataas sa prusisyon, sa simbahan lang ang abtan,” she stated.
(Regardless of how lengthy the procession is, it all the time ends on the church)
Religion tourism
Cebu is taken into account a serious hub for religion tourism within the Philippines, being the birthplace of Christianity within the nation.
The return of the 4 pulpit panels is anticipated to spice up not solely Cebu’s general religion tourism but in addition convey renewed consideration to the city of Boljoon.
“Kaning maong sacred artifacts, lakip kini sa atong identification isip mga Sugboanon ug nagpakita sa atong pangaliya sa Ginoo (These sacred artifacts are a part of our identification as Cebuanos and characterize our devotion to God), and we view this with nice significance particularly that we acknowledge Boljoon church and all our heritage websites as vital to our identification as Filipinos and instruments by which we are able to proceed to maintain livelihood and financial growth in our localities by the use of tourism,” Secretary Garcia-Frasco stated.
“We’re hopeful that this can additional spur financial development alang sa Boljoon ug mapadayon nato ang atong pagpreserbar sa atong mga cultural heritage,” she added.
(We’re hopeful that this can additional spur financial development for Boljoon and assist us proceed preserving our cultural heritage)
In the meantime, Governor Garcia and Secretary Garcia-Frasco proceed to attraction to whoever could also be holding the final lacking pulpit panel to return it.
The conservation of the pulpit panels was dealt with by Calahe Environmental Consultancy Companies, which undertook a four-stage restoration course of.
These levels concerned cleansing, consolidation, restoring the polychromy, consolidating cracks and eradicating hanging provisions, and making use of a protecting coating (varnish on the entrance, beeswax on the again).
The panels will probably be transported to Boljoon by way of a motorcade from the Archdiocesan Museum on March 14.
A public viewing will probably be held on the Boljoon church from March 14-18, and the panels will probably be put in between March 19 and 20.
A Pontifical Mass will probably be held on March 21, presided over by Archbishop Palma, adopted by the disclosing and blessing of the put in panels on the church ambo. /clorenciana
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