Nat’l Museum to declare Cebu basilica, Sto. Niño image as ‘nat’l cultural treasures’
By CBCPNews
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. PHOTO FROM BMSN CEBU FACEBOOK PAGE
The National Museum of the Philippines is set to declare Cebu City’s centuries-old Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and its image of the child Jesus as “national cultural treasures”.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines chair Rene Escalante made the announcement during a recent webinar series on the history of Christianity in the country.
“This stature is the highest recognition the State can give to such historically and culturally-significant heritage of the Filipino people,” Escalante said.
He said the official declaration will be held on April 14, in time for the opening of the year-long commemoration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines.
The day will also mark the 500th anniversary of the first baptism in Asia’s bastion of Christianity.
To highlight the celebration, there will be a reenactment of the historic event and 500 children with special needs will be baptized at the basilica.
The archdiocese has earlier announced that Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, will be in Cebu to grace the occasion.