Baclaran Church among PH's 'Important Cultural Properties'

The Baclaran Church has been acknowledged as a valuable cultural treasure in the country.

According to Raffy Tima's report on "24 Oras," Thursday, the church made it to the National Museum of the Philippines' list of "important cultural property."

"Mahalaga ang simbahang ito ng Baclaran sa naging pag-unlad ng kilos at interaksyon ng mga Pilipino sa kanilang kapaligiran," said Dr. Mary Jane Louise Bolunia, National Museum of the Philippines.

"Naniniwala kaming malaki ang naging gampanin ng simbahang ito sa ating kultura at sa ating pansariling kapakanan."

In 1973, Pope John Paul II led a mass in the church during his visit to the country.

The Baclaran Church also served as shelter for some COMELEC computer technicians who walked out during the 1986 snap elections.

"'Yung pagkilala ng ating simbahan bilang isang mahalagang kayamanan ng ating bansa ay pagkilala na sa ating bayan ay bahagi yung pananampalataya at bahagi 'yung simbahan sa paglalakbay natin bilang isang komunidad," said Fr. Rico John Bilangel, Rector of Baclaran Church.

The Philippine General Hospital's building, the St. La Salle Hall inside the University of La Salle, and the Sabang Bridge in Batangas also made it to the list of 19 important cultural properties in the Philippines.

—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News