Cave, temple, bridges among new nat’l cultural treasures, important properties

The National Museum this year made some additions to its list of the country's National Cultural Treasures as well as its list of Important Cultural Properties. 

National Cultural Treasures

The new National Museum of Anthropology in Manila, once known as the Museum of the Filipino People, occupies the old Department of Finance building in Manila. Photo: Danny Pata

"National Cultural Treasure" is the highest designation awarded to a site or structure in the Philippines.

Described by the National Museum as "a unique cultural property that is a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to the country and nation," a National Cultural Treasure must be historically and in some cases also aesthetically significant. Scientific value also factors in some cases, with the sites representing "aspects of 50,000 years of Philippine prehistory and early history."

These sites were declared National Cultural Treasures this year:

• Spanish-era statues and monuments in Intramuros, Manila
• Silang Church complex in Silang, Cavite
• Ayusan-Paoa bridge in Vigan, Ilocos Sur
• Puerta Real Boundary arch in Pagsanjan, Laguna
• National Museum of Fine Arts (old Legislative building) in Manila
• National Museum of  Anthropology (old Finance building) in Manila
• National Museum of Natural History (old Agriculture and Commerce building) in Manila

Important Cultural Properties

Ayala Bridge in Manila is now an Important Cultural Property. Photo: Danny Pata

An Important Cultural Property is "a cultural property that possesses exceptional cultural, artistic and/or historical significance." Added to this list are the following:

• Querubin House in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur
• Nueva Vizcaya Old Provincial Capitol Building in Bayombong
• Heliograph Tower in Magalang, Pampanga
• Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Church in Bulakan, Bulacan
• White Cross Building Complex in San Juan City
• Pao Ong Hu Taoist Temple, Sta. Ana, Manila
• Manila Boat Club building, Sta. Ana, Manila
• Facade of the Michel Apartments in Malate, Manila
• Life Theater or the old Villonco building in Quiapo, Manila
• Rizal Memorial Stadium Sports Complex in Malate, Manila
• American-era Ayala and Quezon Bridges in Manila
• Saint John the Baptist Church in Camalig, Albay
• Old Provincial Jail, Iloilo City (now being converted into a branch of the National Museum)
• Old Jaro Municipal Hall, Iloilo City
• Fort San Pedro Ruins, Iloilo City
• Balobok Rock Shelter archaeological site in Tawi-Tawi

In a post on its website, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts said that the purpose of naming sites National Cultural Treasures of Important Cultural Properties is "to highlight their significance to the entire world that they are officially recognized as an intrinsic part of the patrimony of the Filipino people and are central to the legacy that the present generation should take special care to steward for the generations to come." — BM, GMA News