National Museum declares Pagsanjan Arch, Intramuros Monuments as NCTs
The National Museum of the Philippines has added to its list of National Cultural Treasures with the declaration of several monuments in Intramuros, the Silang Church Complex in Cavite, and Pagsanjan, Laguna’s Puerta Real Boundary Arch among other spots in Luzon as National Cultural Treasures (NCTs).
The Intramuros and other Luzon sites possessed “outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and scientific value which is highly significant and important to the country,” according to an article that appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The Intramuros monuments, which include statues of Simon de Anda, Miguel Lopez De Legazpi, Fr. Andres Urdaneta, King Carlos IV, and Queen Isabel II, are “priceless legacies representing the people’s symbol of respect of and gratitude for the colonial power’s contribution to the defense and welfare of the Filipino people.”
Cavite’s Silang Church Complex, on the other hand, was added to the list for its retablo mayor and menores, which embodied the “creativity and the indomitable spirit of the Filipino. Vigan’s Ayusan-Paoa Spanish-era bridge, according to the National Museum, is an “architectural marvel and a priceless legacy representing the people’s respect of a bygone era of builders and designers.”
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Also included in the list are the Puerta Real Boundary Arch in Pagsanjan, Laguna and the building of the National Museum of Fine Arts (Old Legislative), National Museum of Anthropology (Old Finance), and National Museum of Natural History (Old Agriculture and Commerce) in Manila.
The Pagsanjan Arch, built in 1877 and restored during the 70s, was cited as an outstanding landmark that showed the ideal blend between aesthetics and function. The National Museum Complex buildings, on the other hand, were cited for their architectural significance and for being historical landmarks.
The National Museum of the Philippines, by virtue of Republic Acts 4846, 8492, 10066, and Presidential Decree No. 260, is the sole entity that can declare a property as a National Cultural Treasure.
The title of National Cultural Treasure is the highest designation given to a “unique cultural property found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is highly significant and important to the country and nation.”
The National Museum last came out with a list in January 2016, when they declared 11 properties as NCTs, including Paco Park in Manila and the Cagsawa Church Ruins in Daraga, Albay.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Times, National Commission for Culture and the Arts
Image source: The Backpack Adventures, flickr
