CEBU CITY (May 16, 2010) — Four houses in Carcar will each receive historical markers from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). The inauguration of the markers has been set this coming May 29 just in time for the closing of the National Heritage Month.

The cast-iron markers symbolize the official recognition by the NHCP of the houses as historical sites. Usually such markers will contain a brief history of the site including its cultural and historical significance.

Under a law protecting such sites, no site that has been recognized by the NHCP as culturally and historically significant may be altered without prior permission.

Just recently, a historical marker was also installed at the University of San Carlos.

The original main entrance to the residence as one enters through Binakayan Street.

The owners of Ho Tong Hardware in Parian, Cebu where the Jesuit House of 1730 is located have started to convert the house into a museum. Although the hardware store and warehouse has not yet totally evacuated from the site, plans have already been made to relocate it to another location. An architect is also currently supervising the restoration works. The interiors of the house itself have been furnished with antique objects and furnishings in a bid to bring back the “old look” of the interiors. Continue Reading »

By Jobers Bersales
Cebu Daily News

CEBU CITY (Dec. 31, 2009) — ’Tis the season for reunions and family gatherings and so it came to pass that the writers and photographers of the hugely successful (my bias is showing!) 308-page coffee table book “Balaanong Bahandi” reunited at our residence in Sto. Nino Village the other day to plan the next step now that the book is out.

To recall, “Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu” was launched last Nov. 26 at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu by both the museum and its co-publisher the University of San Carlos Press. As its editor and project manager, I repeated what was promised during the pre-selling blitz for the book that was held in July this year: a smaller volume would soon follow. Well, the meeting-cum-swim party was finally held the other day in order to fulfill this promise. And the end result will hopefully come out when the Archdiocese of Cebu closes its Diamond Jubilee Celebrations on April 28, 2010. Continue Reading »

Above: Bishop Juan Gorordo’s baptismal record at the parish of St. Anne in Barili, Cebu (Photo posted by vip1852 in Flickr.com).

CEBU CITY (Dec. 20, 2009) — The Archdiocese of Cebu commemorates today the 75th death anniversary of Bishop Juan Gorordo, the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. A Holy Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral will be officiated by Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal at 4 PM and will be followed by the opening of the Bishop Juan Gorordo Exhibit at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu. Continue Reading »

CEBU CITY (Nov. 29, 2009) — Starting December 1, 2009 the coffeetable book entitled Balaanong Bahandi, Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu will now be available to the public. Out of the thousands that were printed, there are only less than 800 copies of the book that have remained unsold. To purchase a copy of it, visit the Cathedral Museum of Cebu or email me at knightcarl [at] cebuheritage [dot] com.