By Jose Eleazar Bersales
Sociology-Anthropology Department
University of San Carlos

I was pleasantly surprised by the swift and positive outcome of my column (and my calls to the National Museum) last week regarding the looting of artifacts at Plaza Independencia. The National Museum (NM) immediately sent a team, led by its assistant director, Noel Cuevas, to meet with Vice Mayor Mike Rama, as well as the management of the subway project at the plaza, to check the reports. Continue Reading »

By Jose Eleazar Bersales
Sociology-Anthropology Department
University of San Carlos

It was called plaza de armas in the early 1600s, alluding to generic term for a public square used as military training and parade grounds. Later it was widened, bordering the properties across the Cathedral of Cebu, and was aptly called plaza mayor. Toward the twilight of Spanish colonial rule, it was landscaped, with borders finally defined and was christened Plaza Maria Cristina, in honor of the queen regent. When the Americans came, it was called Plaza Libertad, as the Americans were asserting that they had liberated Cebuanos from the yoke of Spanish oppression. Still, when the colonial masters had all left, it became what it has come to be called now: Plaza Independencia. Continue Reading »

Above: A gold earring, one of the artifacts found in the recent archaeological diggings in Boljoon, Cebu. This is the first time in the history of Philippine archaeology that a gold earring was found in a burial. Continue Reading »

A presentation by Mr. Jobers Bersales regarding the recent archaeological diggings at the Boljoon church plaza will be conducted at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu on June 6, 2008. This isn’t open to the public however and is only by invitation. Continue Reading »