NMP to return “stolen” Boljoon church panels

The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Board of Trustees has approved in its recent regular meeting in Manila the return of Boljoon Church’s pulpit panels.

In a statement posted in its Facebook page, NMP said the return of the panels is subject to certain terms that would form part of a comprehensive agreement with the Archdiocese of Cebu.

The Board also instructed the NMP director general to immediately initiate discussions with the Archdiocese of Cebu on the matter.

Sought for comment, Father Brian Brigoli, Cebu Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church chairperson, said that they are so happy with this latest development, as the panels will be returned to where they rightfully belong.

“Pasalamat mi og dako nga nadawat nato ang official statement sa National Museum, nga ilang ibalik ang pulpit panels sa Boljoon…. Nagpaabot pa mi sa official nga communication sa National Museum,” he said.

“It is not only recognizing the claim of Boljoon as the rightful owner but also a due recognition of the voice of the community in their pursuit for and management and protection of their own cultural assets as an item of the identity of the community, their culture, and faith,” Brigoli said

This, he said, means that the government’s culture agencies “are very competent in recognizing the important role of the community-based cultural heritage management.”

“That is not an authoritative paradigm but this a community paradigm of taking care of our heritage,” Brigoli said.

“Kining gibuhat karon sa National Museum pagpamatuod nga very competent in recognizing the voice and capacity and the empowerment of the local community to manage and protect preserve their cultural assets,” he added.

Boljoon Mayor Jojie Derama said the report made them very happy, although they do not know yet as to when exactly the panels would be returned.

“Malipayon ko nga mabalik na gyud ang pulpit panels nga dugay na nga gikawat sa Boljoon, sa iyang rightful place. Malipayon gyud kaayo mi kay daghan mi nag-fight nga mabalik na,” he said.

Cebu Province Legal Consultant Rory John Sepulveda, on the other hand, said that they are happy - as all Cebuanos should be - about this development.

“May this also prod other possessors of ‘stolen’ religious and cultural icons to return the same to their rightful owners and place. We will be watching closely …. as very interested and concerned Cebuanos,” he said.