Cebu City Hosts National Heritage Month Closing Ceremonies

After a month-full of activities related to heritage conservation awareness and implementation, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), thru its Subcommission on Cultural Heritage (SCH), has cap the festive month with the Closing Ceremonies of the National Heritage Month last May 31, 2014 in Cebu City.

A Eucharistic Mass led by SCH Commissioner Rev. Fr. Harold Li. Rentoria, OSA, has been concelebrated at 5:30pm at the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. Followed by the Closing Ceremonies at 6:30 pm. Performing during the program are Rev. Fr. Jonas Mijares, Basilica Rector, the San Diego Dance Group, and the Tribu Basakanon Performing Group.

Keynote message was delivered by NCCA Chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr..

The National Heritage Month was then officially closed by SCH Commissioner Rev. Fr. Harold Ll. Rentoria, OSA. A blazing-colorful fireworks display culminates the entire closing ceremony.

The National Heritage Month was officially opened on May 1, 2014 at ALMASOR region (Albay, Masbate, Sorsogon) specifically in Daraga, Albay, graced by Gov. Joey Salceda, Taoid Ambassador Enchong Dee, and participated by various youth sectors. Similar ceremonial activities were held at Sorsogon City and Masbate City on May 2 and 5, respectively.

On March 31, 2014, the National Heritage Month had a soft launching at the historic Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte, in tandem with Limasawa’s commemoration of the 493rd anniversary of the First Mass in the Philippines.

The launching of the National Heritage Month coincided with the launching of the annual Taoid National Heritage Program – a yearlong cultural intervention of NCCA with an aim of assisting local communities in the conservation of their cultural heritage treasures. For Mindanao, the Taoid Program will be launched on June 17, 18, 19, and 20, at Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, respectively.

The steering committee of the Taoid Heritage Program 2014 is composed of Rev. Fr. Harold Ll. Rentoria, OSA, head of SCH and the National Committee on Archives; Dr. Stephen S. Totanes, vice head of SCH and head of the National Committee on Historical Research; Lucille Karen E. Malilong-Isberto, SCH secretary and head of the National Committee on Monuments and Sites; Dr. Marilou P. Tadlip, assistant secretary and head of the National Committee on Libraries and Information Service; Robert Bjorn O. Santos, SCH member and head of the National Committee on Art Galleries; and Amado R. Alvarez, SCH member and head of the National Committee on Museums.

For more details on the activities and schedules, contact NCCA-Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) head, Rene Sanchez Napeñas at (632) 527-2192 or at 0928.5081057. Log on to www.ncca.gov.ph or email at ncca.paio@gmail.com.

(Contributed Photo)