Historical marker unveiled for Simboryo ng Taguig
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) unveiled the historical marker for the Simboryo ng Taguig inside the Sta. Ana Catholic Cemetery in Barangay Tuktukan on Nov. 21.
The Simboryo ng Taguig is a landmark in the city and managed by the Memorial Department of the Diocese of Pasig. It is part of the Sta. Ana Church complex and was declared as Important Cultural Property by the National Museum in 2017.
The NHCP stated that the Simboryo ng Taguig was “constructed in the 19th Century in line with the instruction by King Carlos IV for separate cemeteries from churches following the outbreak of widespread epidemics.”
“The initial structure was damaged during the 1882 earthquake and subsequently rebuilt under the guidance of Fr. Guillermo Diaz, OSA in 1885. The building served as the headquarters of Filipino revolutionary forces under Gen. Artemio Ricarte before it was captured and repurposed as a temporary barracks by the US Army during the Philippine-American War from 1899-1901. After decades of neglect, the structure was restored by the Archdiocese of Manila during the 1980s. It was declared an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines as part of the Santa Ana Church Complex in 2017. It remains as one of the best examples of cylindrical domes in stone chapels in the country,” it added.
The ceremony was attended by NHCP Chair Regalado Trota José Jr. and Executive Director Carminda Arevalo, together with representatives from the Diocese of Pasig, the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anne, barangay leaders, city officials, and Taguig residents.
Also in attendance were Councilor Jomil Bryan Serna, who represented Mayor Lani Cayetano Rev. Fr. Orlando B. Cantillon, rector and parish priest of the Minor Basilica of St. Anne, and Bishop Hubert Mylo Vergara.
Members of the Taguig Cultural Mapping Project Team and the Taguig Heritage Society also attended the ceremony.
The program featured the historical presentation of the Simboryo, the ceremonial unveiling of the marker, the signing of the certificate of transfer and acceptance, an oath to safeguard the structure, and cultural performances by members of the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anne.
Vergara expressed the Diocese of Pasig’s appreciation for the recognition:
“Isa pong malaking karangalan para sa aming Diyosesis na ang ating Simboryo ay binigyan ng marker ng National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Tayo po ay lubos na nagagalak at umaasa na ito ay maging daan para lalo nating panindigan ang ating pagmamahal sa kasaysayan (It is a great honor for our Diocese that our Dome has been given a marker by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. We are very happy and hope that this will be a way for us to further uphold our love for history),” he said.
“Isa na namang mahalagang bahagi ng ating pagkakakilanlan ang pormal na minarkahan ngayon. Ang pagkilalang ito ay paanyaya para mas mapaigting pa natin ang pangangalaga at maipakita ang ambag ng Lungsod ng Taguig sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa (“Another important part of our identity is being formally marked today. This recognition is an invitation for us to further enhance our preservation and showcase the contribution of Taguig City to the history of our country),” said Serna.