Santo Domingo Church declared national cultural treasure
National Museum Director Jeremy Barns presents the certificate authenticating the Santo Domingo Church as National Cultural Treasure. Along with him is Senator Edgardo Angara (right), Fr. Gerard Timoner (extreme right), Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, Felipe de Leon (extreme left), National Commission for the Culture and Arts Chairman, and Anna Labrador, National Museum Assistant Director.
By Keisha Gail Pena
The National Museum of the Philippines declared the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City as a National Cultural Treasure on October 4, coinciding with the anniversary of Our Lady of La Naval De Manila.
The church and its liturgical objects, along with the image of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila, were regarded as objects of “outstanding cultural significance.”
Jeremy Barns, director of the National Museum, signed Declaration 4 series of 2012 officially confirming the church as a national cultural treasure after the traditional enthronement of the image of La Naval.
Murals by National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco, which depicted the life of St. Dominic de Guzman and the stained glass windows made by Galo Ocampo, which showed the fifteen mysteries of the Holy Rosary inside the church are in need of renovation.
“The declaration implies that this edifice is a true heritage to the Filipino people,” Senator Edgardo Angara said in a chance interview.
A national cultural treasure will have the benefit of government funding for its preservation and restoration. It will also be given utmost priority and protection by the state during times of calamities and even war.
Fr. Gerard Timoner, O.P., prior provincial of the Philippine Dominican Province, formally accepted the declaration.
In his speech, Fr. Timoner said the church was a unique treasure of the Filipino culture.
The Santo Domingo church was originally located in Intramuros, Manila. The building was then relocated to Quezon City after sustaining heavy damage during World War II.
It housed the 400-year-old image of Our Lady of La Naval and became the training ground for Dominican missionaries who were sent to other parts of Asia.
Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte, prior of the convent of Santo Domingo Fr. Giuseppe Arciwals, O.P, , Congressman Vincent Crisologo, National Commission for Culture and the Arts chair Felipe de Leon, Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture chair Senator Edgardo Angara also attended the event.
The National Museum of the Philippines declared the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City as a National Cultural Treasure on October 4, coinciding with the anniversary of Our Lady of La Naval De Manila.
The church and its liturgical objects, along with the image of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila, were regarded as objects of “outstanding cultural significance.”
Jeremy Barns, director of the National Museum, signed Declaration 4 series of 2012 officially confirming the church as a national cultural treasure after the traditional enthronement of the image of La Naval.
Murals by National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco, which depicted the life of St. Dominic de Guzman and the stained glass windows made by Galo Ocampo, which showed the fifteen mysteries of the Holy Rosary inside the church are in need of renovation.
“The declaration implies that this edifice is a true heritage to the Filipino people,” Senator Edgardo Angara said in a chance interview.
A national cultural treasure will have the benefit of government funding for its preservation and restoration. It will also be given utmost priority and protection by the state during times of calamities and even war.
Fr. Gerard Timoner, O.P., prior provincial of the Philippine Dominican Province, formally accepted the declaration.
In his speech, Fr. Timoner said the church was a unique treasure of the Filipino culture.
The Santo Domingo church was originally located in Intramuros, Manila. The building was then relocated to Quezon City after sustaining heavy damage during World War II.
It housed the 400-year-old image of Our Lady of La Naval and became the training ground for Dominican missionaries who were sent to other parts of Asia.
Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte, prior of the convent of Santo Domingo Fr. Giuseppe Arciwals, O.P, , Congressman Vincent Crisologo, National Commission for Culture and the Arts chair Felipe de Leon, Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture chair Senator Edgardo Angara also attended the event.