CEBU CITY – Four pulpit panels missing for decades were finally returned to Cebu.
THE four pulpit panels were formally turned over to the Archdiocese of Cebu on Thursday, March 13. (Contributed photo)
Missing since the 1980s, the sacred artifacts belonging to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima in Boljoon, Cebu were finally turned over by the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) to the Archbishop of Cebu in a ceremony at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Museum on Thursday, March 13.
Leading the ceremony were Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Cebu Auxiliary Bishop and Jaro Archbishop-designate Midyphil “Dodong” Billones, Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Chairman Andoni Aboitiz, and Boljoon Mayor Jojie Derama.
The panels, featuring intricate carvings and religious iconography, resurfaced when they were donated to the NMP in 2024 by Edwin and Aileen Bautista.
Gov. Garcia led efforts to bring them back.
Their return faced delays that prompted the governor to file legal charges against NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns.
Last month, Barns visited the governor at the capitol here, finalizing the return of the panels.
The panels will be transported in a motorcade to Boljoon on March 14. A public viewing will be held from March 14 to 18 before the panels will be installed in the church ambo on March 19 and 20.
The official enshrinement will be held during a thanksgiving Mass presided over by Palma.
Before the installation, the Environmental Consultancy Services will conduct a conservation process, which includes carbon dating to determine the exact age of the materials.
During the ceremony, Palma, who is a member of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, highlighted the deep religious significance of the pulpit panels.
The prelate said the panels were not just decorative figures but a place where Scripture comes alive through preaching.
He emphasized that in the pulpit, “the Word of God becomes alive” allowing it to be heard, understood, and made relevant to people’s lives.
With the return of the panels, only one panel also owned by the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima remains missing.
The governor has asked whoever possesses the missing sixth panel to return it to the Archdiocese of Cebu or send it to the capitol through a commercial carrier.