Silang church declared a National Cultural Treasure
Published Feb 5, 2019 11:03 am
By Christina Hermoso
Diocese of Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Permanent Committee on Public Affairs, led the Holy Mass following the blessing and public display of the marker that declares the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria Parish (Silang Church) and its retablos in Silang Cavite as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines.
(WIKIPEDIA/ MANILA BULLETIN)
“We hope that this recognition will help strengthen the faith of the faithful here as it highlights the importance of one of the oldest churches in the country,” Evangelista said during the mass.
“We also pray that as we approach the celebration of the 500th year of Christianity in the country in 2021, more importance and focus will be given to the preservation and maintenance of the oldest churches in the country such as the Silang Church,” he added.
Fr. Marty Dimaranan, parish priest, cited historical churches as “blessings” and “cultural treasures” that will be inherited by future generations.
“The youth are the future caretakers of these churches so it is imperative that they recognize their importance to us as Filipinos,” he said.
The decision to declare the church as NCT was made in a panel meeting in December of 2016, while the actual declaration was made during the parish feast on Feb. 2, 2017. Under standards of the National Museum, a National Cultural Treasure is a cultural property that is a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to the country and nation.
Established in 1595, the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria in now 424 years old while its three retablos are now over 300 years. Since its formal declaration as a NCT, the church is assured government protection and heritage management.
The church features its famous colonial architecture with the retablos (a frame or shelf enclosing decorated panels or revered objects above and behind an altar) during the late evolution of Baroque architecture or Rococo style.
(WIKIPEDIA/ MANILA BULLETIN)
“We hope that this recognition will help strengthen the faith of the faithful here as it highlights the importance of one of the oldest churches in the country,” Evangelista said during the mass.
“We also pray that as we approach the celebration of the 500th year of Christianity in the country in 2021, more importance and focus will be given to the preservation and maintenance of the oldest churches in the country such as the Silang Church,” he added.
Fr. Marty Dimaranan, parish priest, cited historical churches as “blessings” and “cultural treasures” that will be inherited by future generations.
“The youth are the future caretakers of these churches so it is imperative that they recognize their importance to us as Filipinos,” he said.
The decision to declare the church as NCT was made in a panel meeting in December of 2016, while the actual declaration was made during the parish feast on Feb. 2, 2017. Under standards of the National Museum, a National Cultural Treasure is a cultural property that is a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to the country and nation.
Established in 1595, the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria in now 424 years old while its three retablos are now over 300 years. Since its formal declaration as a NCT, the church is assured government protection and heritage management.
The church features its famous colonial architecture with the retablos (a frame or shelf enclosing decorated panels or revered objects above and behind an altar) during the late evolution of Baroque architecture or Rococo style.