MANILA, 13 January (PIA) – Once a municipal cemetery built by the Dominicans in the heart of Manila, Paco Park is now one of the National Cultural Treasures in the country as declared by the National Museum of the Philippines.
Formerly known as Cementerio Municipal de Manila y Capilla de San Pancracio, Paco Park is now one of the cultural treasures of the country for its unique cultural property – possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is highly significant and important to the country and nation.
According to an on-site inscription, an order for the construction of a cemetery in Bagumbayan was issued in 1807, due to the outbreak of a cholera epidemic in Manila.
The cemetery was primarily designed as a municipal cemetery for the affluent and established aristocratic Spanish families who resided in the old Manila, or the city within the walls of Intramuros during the Spanish colonial era. It was on April 22, 1822 when the cemetery was officially inaugurated, although it had been in use for two years prior to its completion.
National hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal was interred at Paco Park after his execution at Bagumbayan on December 30, 1896.
Interment at the Paco Cemetery ceased in 1912.
Other National Cultural Treasures include: the Alcaiceria de San Fernando Marker of 1762; “Maradika” the Qur’an of Bayang (Lanao del Sur), both are in the collection of the National Museum in Manila. While the International Rice Research Institute Series by National Artist Vicente Manansala (two paintings) are on loan to the National Museum.
The Watchtowers of Ilocos Sur, comprising: the Watchtower of Santiago in Barangay Sabangan; the Watchtower of San Esteban in Barangay Bateria; the Watchtower of Narvacan in Barangay Sulvec; and theWatchtower-Belfry of the Church of San Agustin in Bantay.
Likewise, the Watchtowers of Ilocos Norte, comprising: the Watchtower of Badoc in Barangay Lingasy; the North Watchtower of Currimao in Barangay Poblacion Uno; the South Watchtower of Currimao in Barangay Torre; theWatchtower-Belfry of the Church (now Cathedral) of San Guillermo Ermitaño in Laoag, the Watchtower of Bacarra in Barangay Natba; and the Watchtower of Pasuquin in Barangay Puyupuyan.
The Dampol Bridge in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, as an integral part of the Church Complex of San Vicente Ferrer, declared as a National Cultural Treasure in 2003, and which henceforth are to be known collectively as the San Vicente Ferrer Church Complex and Dampol Bridge of Dupax del Sur (Nueva Vizcaya).
The Minor Basilica and Church Complex of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario in Manaoag, Pangasinan, including the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and movable and intangible properties intrinsic to the cultural significance of the property.
Also included is the Sacred Art of the Parish Church of Santiago Apostól in Paete, Laguna (four paintings in situ) and the Ruins of Cagsawa Church in Daraga, Albay.
Las but not the least, the Roman Catholic Cemetery (Camposanto) of San Joaquin, Iloilo, as an integral part of the Church Complex of San Joaquin, declared as a National Cultural Treasure in 2003, and which henceforth are to be known collectively as the San Joaquin Church Complex and Camposanto of San Joaquin (Iloilo).
Meanwhile, the National Museum also declared Important Cultural Properties in the country. Important cultural properties are classified as a cultural property that possesses “exceptional cultural, artistic and/or historical significance.”
Cultural properties that were declared important are: the Building of the Philippine Center for Population and Development, by National Artist Leandro V. Locsin in Taguig City; Church Complex of San Bartolome in Malabon City, Cariño House in Candon City, Ilocos Sur; Church Complex of San Nicolas de Tolentino, including the convento (Santa Rosa Academy) and the road-side via crucis structures, in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte; Building of the San Nicolas Central School in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte; Municipal Hall of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte; Valdez-Lardizabal House in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte;
Nagrebcan Archaeological Site also in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte.
Nagrebcan Archaeological Site also in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte.
The Callao Cave Complex, Peñablanca, Cagayan; Santa Maria Bridge in Sitio Tanibong, Aritao-Quirino Road, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya; Colegio del Santisimo Rosario (Diplomat Hotel) Ruins, Dominican Hill, Baguio City; Laperal House, Baguio City; and the Peredo’s Lodging House also in Baguio City.
In Angeles City, Pampanga, important cultural properties include: the Church Complex of Santo Rosario; Angel Pantaleon de Miranda House; Patricia Mercado – Gomes Masnou House; Juan Nepomuceno Camalig; Jose Pedro Henson y Leon Santos Deposito; Ciriaco de Miranda House; Mariano Lacson House; and the Rafael Yutuc, Sr. House.
Also located in the province of Pampanga are: Municipal Hall of Guagua; the Church Complex of Inmaculada Concepcion also in Guagua; Church Complex of San Bartolome in Magalang; the Municipal Hall of Magalang; and the Municipal Hall of Lubao.
Other important cultural properties include: the Old Municipal Hall (Baliuag Museum and Library) of Baliuag, Bulacan; Barit Bridge in Barangay Santiago, Iriga City in Camarines Sur; Avanceña House (Camiña Balay na Bato) in Arevalo, Iloilo City; Lizares-Gamboa Mansion (Angelicum School) in Tabuc Suba, Jaro also in Iloilo City; Sornito House in Santa Barbara, Iloilo; and the Chapel of Saint Joseph the Worker in Victorias, Negros Occidental.
The National Museum is mandated to declare cultural properties of the Philippines as either Important Cultural Properties or National Cultural Treasures, pursuant to several laws, including Republic Act No. 4846 (Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act) as amended by Presidential Decree No. 374, Presidential Decree No. 260, Republic Act No.8492 (National Museum Act of 1998) and most recently, Republic Act No. 10066 (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009). (NM/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)
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