National Museum seeks ‘constructive' talks on pulpit panels of Boljoon Church | ABS-CBN

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National Museum seeks ‘constructive' talks on pulpit panels of Boljoon Church

National Museum seeks ‘constructive' talks on pulpit panels of Boljoon Church

ABS-CBN News

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Updated Feb 20, 2024 01:10 PM PHT

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The National Museum of the Philippines has released a statement on the controversial 19th century pulpit panels that were recently donated to them by a private collector.
 
Cebu officials, including Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and Mayor Jojie Derama of Boljoon, on Monday, February 19, requested for the panels’ return to the Nuestra Señora Patrocinio de Maria Santisima or more popularly known as the Boljoon Church.
 
These were reportedly stolen in the 1980s due to looting, as recorded in a town resolution.
 
In a statement, the National Museum said it is committed to “the mission of preserving, curating, and exhibiting cultural and historical artifacts for the Filipino people.”
 
The NMP said also recognizes the broader historical context of the stolen pulpit panels. However, the NMP emphasized that the donors procured the artifacts through legitimate means.
 
Given this premise, the National Museum said it is open to a “constructive dialogue” with the Cebu provincial government, the local government unit of Boljoon and the Archdiocese of Cebu.
 
“We acknowledge the historical vulnerability of church artifacts to looting and improper disposal in the past. While ethical concerns may arise, it is essential to consider the intricate historical context influencing these actions. The dynamic ownership and circulation of these cultural assets underscore the necessity for open dialogue and collaborative initiatives to address these complexities,” the NMP said.
 
The NMP highlighted a possibility of “sharing” the four panels to Cebu “as soon as possible”. While the dialogues will commence, they will focus on the conservation measures to preserve the panels.
 
Garcia earlier said they are open to a dialogue with the NMP.
 
“Whatever has been suggested, we are in full agreement with a constructive dialogue,” said Garcia.
 
But the governor made clear that their position at the moment is to have the panels returned to Boljoon.
 
“Let us not lose sight of the goal. We cannot change or position. We are kindly respectfully requesting the National Museum to return these four panels,” Garcia added.

The Cebu provincial government is preparing the documents to prove the town's ownership of the centuries-old artifacts.
 
The Boljoon church is one of the many well-known churches in Cebu as it is made of coral stones.
 
It was declared as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute in 1999, and it was listed as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum in 2001.


- report from Annie Perez

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