Panels sa simbahan na 40 taong nawawala, nasa kustodiya ng National Museum | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

Summary

The video discusses a controversy surrounding four antique panels currently on display at the National Museum, which are claimed to have been stolen from the Bolhoon Church in Cebu during the 1980s. The church community has long sought their return, believing the panels are significant religious and cultural artifacts. The National Museum asserts that the panels were legally acquired through a private collector. A dialogue is ongoing between the local government, the church, and the museum to resolve the matter, which may set a precedent for future cultural property disputes in the Philippines.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The issue revolves around antique church panels from Bolhoon, Cebu that were believed to have been stolen and are now displayed in the National Museum.
• ⛪️ The Bolhoon Church, built in 1783, is a significant cultural and religious site in the Philippines, recognized as a National Cultural Treasure.
• 🗓️ The panels are believed to have been crafted in the early 1800s and are part of the church's iconographic program for evangelization.
• 🚔 In the 1980s, four out of the original six panels from the church's pulpit went missing, and it is alleged that they ended up in the National Museum.
• 📜 The panels are not just religious artifacts but are considered sacred and integral to the church's heritage and community identity.
• 📢 The Bolhoon community and church officials are demanding the return of the panels to their church, asserting their rightful ownership.
• 🔍 An initial investigation into the alleged theft pointed towards an inside job within the church, but the case was dismissed due to failure to prosecute.
• 📸 A former tour guide discovered a match between the missing panels and those in the National Museum, reigniting the call for their return.
• 🏛️ The National Museum claims that the panels were legally obtained through donation and have taken measures for their conservation.
• 🤝 There have been attempts at dialogue between the church, local government, and the National Museum to resolve the issue and return the panels.
• 📜 The incident highlights the broader challenges of regulating and preserving heritage properties, especially those owned by religious institutions.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the transcript?

The main issue is the controversy surrounding four antique panels believed to have been stolen from the church of Bolhoon, Cebu, and are now displayed in the National Museum.

What is the historical significance of the panels?

The panels are believed to have been made in the early 1800s and are considered sacred as they are part of the iconographic program of the church, used for evangelization.

When were the panels reported missing from the Bolhoon church?

The panels were reported missing in the 1980s during the time when a parishioner, Father Charlie, noticed their absence.

What is the current status of the panels?

Three of the panels are in the custody of the National Museum, one is in the possession of the Museum of Bolhoon, and one is still missing.

Why are the panels considered national treasures?

The panels are part of the historical and cultural heritage of the Philippines and are considered sacred artifacts of the Bolhoon church, which is recognized as a National Cultural Treasure.

What is the role of the Bolhoon church in the spread of Catholicism?

Bolhoon church, established by the Augustinian priests, played a significant role in spreading Catholicism in the south of the Philippines.

What evidence supports the claim that the panels were stolen from the church?

The evidence includes historical records, witness accounts, and the fact that the panels were found to be missing in the 1980s, with no record of legal transfer.

What actions have been taken to recover the panels?

The church and local government of Bolhoon have requested the return of the panels from the National Museum, and there have been attempts at dialogue and negotiation.

What is the stance of the National Museum regarding the panels?

The National Museum claims that the panels were acquired legally and through ethical means, and they are committed to preserving cultural heritage.

What legal considerations are involved in the case of the panels?

The case involves the Anti-Fencing Law of 1979 and Presidential Decree 1612, which focus on the possession of stolen items rather than the act of theft itself.

What is the cultural significance of the panels to the people of Bolhoon?

The panels are not only religious artifacts but also symbols of the strong faith and historical identity of the people of Bolhoon.

Outlines

00:00

🏛 Stolen Church Panels Displayed at National Museum

The script discusses the controversy surrounding four antique wooden panels from the Bolhoon Church in Cebu, Philippines, which were believed to have been stolen in the 1980s and later displayed at the National Museum. The panels, dating back to the early 1800s, are considered sacred and part of the church's iconography used for evangelization. The Bolhoon Church, built in 1783, is a National Cultural Treasure and a center of faith. The community is demanding the return of the panels, which are not only religious artifacts but also part of their cultural heritage. The church has been searching for these panels for decades.

05:00

🗝️ Controversy Over Church Artifacts' Ownership

The second paragraph delves into the theft of religious artifacts from the Bolhoon Church, including a set of altar pieces and a gold-plated chalice, in addition to the panels. It mentions an initial investigation pointing to a Paris priest as a suspect. The theft occurred in the 1980s, and the case against the incumbent priest was dismissed due to a failure to prosecute. The script also discusses the discovery of a religious artifact resembling the stolen panels at the National Museum and the subsequent demand from the church and local community for their return. The National Museum claims the panels were legally acquired through donation and emphasizes their commitment to preserving cultural heritage.

10:00

📜 Legal and Ethical Considerations in Artifact Repatriation

The final paragraph addresses the legal and ethical issues surrounding the stolen artifacts. It mentions the Anti-Fencing Law of 1979 and Presidential Decree 1612, which focus on the last person found in possession of stolen items. The script discusses the potential liability of the National Museum officials for accepting the panels and the efforts of the Bolhoon local government unit to negotiate their return. It also touches on the need for a system to repatriate items with dubious provenance and the importance of this case as a potential test case for the recovery of cultural heritage. The script concludes with a call for unity among different stakeholders to develop a system for the proper recovery and return of such artifacts.

Keywords

💡National Museum

The National Museum of the Philippines is a key institution mentioned in the video as the current custodian of the controversial antique panels. These panels are said to have been stolen from the Bolhoon Church in Cebu in the 1980s. The museum plays a significant role in the ongoing debate about the rightful ownership of cultural heritage items.

💡Bolhoon Church

The Bolhoon Church, officially known as the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocino de Maria Santisima, is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, built in 1783. The video highlights the church's historical and cultural significance and discusses the stolen panels, which were an integral part of its religious and iconographic program.

💡Stolen Artifacts

The video revolves around the issue of stolen artifacts, specifically four antique panels taken from the Bolhoon Church in the 1980s. These artifacts, which depict various saints, have now resurfaced at the National Museum, sparking a call from the church and local community for their return. The issue illustrates broader concerns over the rightful ownership of cultural heritage.

💡Iconographic Program

The iconographic program refers to the religious art in Bolhoon Church, designed to educate parishioners about the lives of saints. In the absence of modern media during the 1800s, such imagery served as a tool for evangelization. The stolen panels were a key part of this program, emphasizing their religious and cultural significance.

💡Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage refers to the legacy of tangible and intangible assets inherited from past generations. In this video, the cultural heritage of Bolhoon is at the center of the conflict, with the church and local government seeking the return of historical panels that hold deep religious and historical value for the community.

💡Provenance

Provenance is the history of ownership of an artifact or artwork. In the video, the provenance of the stolen Bolhoon panels is contested. While the National Museum claims to have acquired the panels through legitimate means from private donors, the Bolhoon Church argues that they were unlawfully taken and should be returned.

💡UNESCO World Heritage Site

The video mentions that Bolhoon is on the tentative list to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This status underscores the global cultural and historical importance of the church and its surrounding area, making the recovery of its stolen artifacts even more critical.

💡Inside Job

An 'inside job' refers to a crime committed with the help of someone within the organization. In this case, there were accusations that the theft of the panels from Bolhoon Church in the 1980s might have involved a parish priest, adding a layer of betrayal and complicating efforts to recover the stolen artifacts.

💡Anti-Fencing Law

The Anti-Fencing Law (Presidential Decree 1612) of 1979 is a Philippine law that makes it illegal to buy or possess stolen goods. The video references this law as a potential legal tool to hold individuals accountable for possessing the stolen panels from the Bolhoon Church, even if they were not involved in the initial theft.

💡Repatriation of Artifacts

Repatriation refers to the return of cultural artifacts to their place of origin or rightful owners. The Bolhoon community, supported by the local government, is calling for the repatriation of the stolen panels to the church. This term highlights the ongoing struggle to return significant cultural items to their original contexts.

Highlights

Antique panels from Bolhoon church in Cebu, believed to be from the early 1800s, are now displayed in the National Museum, sparking controversy.

The four antique panels are part of Bolhoon Church’s pulpit, with intricate carvings of saints, and are considered sacred as tools for evangelization.

The panels were stolen from the Bolhoon Church in the 1980s, leaving only the panel with the image of St. Leo the Great behind.

A witness from Bolhoon recounts seeing the panels disappear, sparking a decades-long search for the missing relics.

In February, a former tour guide from Bolhoon recognized the panels at the National Museum, reigniting the community’s demand for their return.

The National Museum claims the panels were donated by a private collector who acquired them through legitimate means, emphasizing their ethical acquisition practices.

The Bolhoon community insists that the panels belong to their church, which is a designated National Cultural Treasure and a center of faith since 1783.

Local authorities and the Bolhoon church demand the return of the panels, considering them not just artifacts but symbols of their deep-rooted faith.

The panels are part of Bolhoon’s rich historical and religious heritage, with the church being a significant site for Catholicism in the southern Philippines.

Bolhoon Church, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to other valuable historical artifacts.

An investigation in the 1980s implicated the parish priest in the disappearance of the panels, though the case was dismissed due to lack of prosecution.

Experts from the University of San Carlos matched the panels now in the National Museum with photographs taken of the Bolhoon Church before the theft.

Legal experts argue that the National Museum could be held liable under the Anti-Fencing Law for possessing stolen items.

The Bolhoon community views the return of the panels as a matter of justice and cultural preservation, reflecting their deep connection to their heritage.

The National Museum expressed openness to dialogue with Bolhoon representatives but emphasized the need for preventive conservation of the panels in their care.

Transcripts

malaking issue ngayon sa buong mundo ang

mga obra na naka-display sa mga museum

na nakaw pala ganito rin ang paratang ng

mga tig bolhoon sa Cebu sa matagal na

nilang hinahanap na obra na di umano

ninakaw sa kanilang simbahan at

naka-display pala sa National Museum

paano nangyari ito

May bagong i-exhibit sa National

Museum apat na piraso ng antigong

panels makasaysayan ang mga ito dahil

pinaniniwalaang gawa pa nung early

1800s pero ang anunsyong ito ng national

Museum naging kontrobersyal ibalik niyo

yan sa bolhoon these panels are stolen

ang apat na panel kasi na nasa kustodiya

ngayon ng Pambansang Museo

pinaniniwalaang mga ninakaw sa simbahan

ng bolhoon sa Cebu Nong Dekada 80 nawala

ang integrity ng bulon church pagaari ng

bulon church yan Dapat ibalik nila kasi

matagal na rin naming hinahanap yan

Paano ito napunta sa National museum at

kung sakaling Ito nga ang mga nawawalang

bolhoon panel maibabalik pa kaya ang mga

ito sa pinanggalingan nitong

simbahan

This is one of the oldest churches in

the Philippines it was built in

1783 ang simbahan ng bolhoon o ang

archdiocesan Shrine of patrocino de

Maria santisima kinikilalang center of

faith ng bolhoon idineklara ng national

Museum bilang National cultural

treasure Tinatayang 4 na taon na ang

tanda nito

matikas na nakatindig sa sentro ng

bolhoon at nakaharap sa may dalampasigan

ang bolhoon ay isa sa pinakaunang mga

parokia na established ng mga pareng

agustino malaki ang papel ng bolhoon for

the spreading of catholicism in the

South ang bolhoon is nasa tentative list

ng UNESCO World Heritage site ang bayan

ng bolhoon sa Cebu tahanan din ng mga

mahahalagang historical

artifact sa loob ng Tinatawag nilang El

Gran Baluarte o campanario

makikita ang sinaunang Zelda nung

panahon ng mga

Kastila sa pader nito may mga sinaunang

guhit ng barko na natatanaw daw ng mga

preso noon mula sa kanilang kulungan

pinapasan po nila yung isa't isa para

makikita nila kung ano ang nandoon sa

labas habang sa courtyard ng simbahan

Nahukay ng local Arche

ang ilang mga la suot ang ilang mga

lumang alahas ang n dito is yung mga

bones meron tayong mga Je at meron

tayong mga ancient jars kabilang na ang

misteryosong hikaw na Tinatayang ginamit

noon pang 1500 na posible diumanong

isinuot ng mga pinuno gaya ni lapu-lapu

Itong mga hukay na ito this proves na

meron tayong kultura o sibilis hindi pa

dumating ang mga Kastila

sa kanila namang simbahan makikita ang

pulpito o kung saan tumatayo noon ang

mga pare o PR that was designed because

there was no microphones during the time

meron siyang tinawag na tav in Spanish

that is the sounding board that would

amplify the voice of the priest sa harap

nito naka-display ang panels na

Tinatayang inukit n pang 1800s un ang

decoration niya This is clearly made of

Filipino na

hardwood ang pulpit ito ng bolhoon

church merong anim na panels ang isang

panel may imahe ni St Leo the Great at

ang natitirang apat kung saan

metikulosong Nakaukit ang iba't ibang

imahe nina St Thomas of Villanueva St

Ambrose of Milan St Gregory the Great at

St augustine of hipo iyung mga panels ng

pulpito they are considered Sacred kasi

they are part of the iconographic

program of the church as tools for

evangelization ang purpose kasi ng mga

iconography sa simbahan para ang mga

parokyano can learn sa buhay ng mga

santos wala pang tv at the time this

would have been the best tools for

teaching pero taong 1980 saktong

magsisimba ang mga parokyano ng simbahan

ng bolhoon nung Nagulat na lang daw ang

ngayo'y 88 anyos ng parokyano ng

simbahan na si tatay Charlie nung

nadiskubre nila na ang apat sa anim na

panels ng kanilang pulpito nawawala pag

simba Nam mo Linggo diyan kami magupo

doon sa ilalim ng perito yung aking

asawa nakita namin ng yung wala na

dingding Sino nagnakaw diyan Ako'y

naka-duty sa panahon sa nawal m panel

buntag to mga 9 sa buntag Uban ang hipe

tanw kinod bang nawala It's just like

that your own house is being rubbed it

really pains ba na the church no is

indeed the

victim sa anim na panels ng bolhoon

tanging ang may imahe lang ni St Leo The

Great ang naiwan sa simbahan sa una gold

yung design an B repa na lang ni siya

konang bago ang bulong-bulungan noon may

nakakita kasi na isinakay ng bangka

patawid ng dagat from 1782 when

construction Began under ito sa agustino

and then until 1949 matagal itong

turnover ng mga agustino because marami

itong mga treasures inside may

imbentaryo yan kung ano ang nandiyan

when it was transferred to the Aris

maraming nawala There's a report that

it's the Paris priest at the time the

perpetrator of unlawful taken of those

funnels there was a initial

investigation base sa isang dokumento

hindi lang daw panels ang sinasabing

ninakaw sa simbahan noong dekada 80

nawala rin ang isang set ng altar na

gawa sa pilac crucifix na gawa sa Ivory

at gold plated chalice siya nga

pinagbibintangan na parang naging inside

job hindi makapag sa yung Pare kasi nga

hindi siya pinayagan Gawa nung may

nawalang gamit sa loob ng simbahan yung

nangyari yung allege larceny or robbery

in 1980s may kaso na pong nafile against

the incumbent priest noon but it was

dismissed because of the failure to

prosecute ang nagawa lang nila if I

remember correctly is when they noticed

in the 80s na most of the things were

get nawawala Many of them would no

longer go to the church

Makalipas ang mahigit apat na Dekada

nitang February 13 ang dating tour guide

ng buho na si orl May napansing

naka isang religious artifact na malaki

ang pagkakahawig sa ninakaw na apat na

panel sa kanilang simbahan parang tumaas

yung energy ko na ito na yung apat na

panel na hinahanap namin niort ko sa

Chairman ng Cebu arch Commission for the

cultural herit of the church dito sa

Cebu ito ito ito yung nawawala in the

1980s ang University of San Carlos

Cebuano Study Center pumunta sa mga

simbahan sa South at dooc ang mga parks

ng mga churches so match black and white

man ang photos but you can see clearly

kikita mo ito talaga ang mga panels na

Nawala there are six panels naay unom ka

panels naong makita sa Ambo four are now

in the possession of National Museum one

is in the position of the Museum of

bulon and there is still one that ised

for

angang kini naang mga tao ngay kahibaw

ungod kong panel n na nagsimulang

umingay ang Panawagan ng mga tigabon sa

National Museum na ibalik ang sagradong

panels sa kanilang simbahan Let us just

understand this very clearly those

panels are not only religious artifacts

because they belong to what has since

been declared a national cultural

treasure we request the national Museum

to return these treasures so that they

may be rightfully put back Where they

belong of course no We are doing our

best as the Commission of the

archdiocese of Cebu talagang

pinaghirapan namin lahat na maibalik

iyung mga panels This is part of the

community and it has layers of

significance and meaning hiningan namin

ang interview ang national Museum of the

Philippines pero hindi sila sumagot sa

aming paanyaya sa una nilang inilabas na

pahayag iginiit nilang legal ang paraan

kung paano ito napunta sa kanilang

kustodiya

we recognize the broader historical

context surrounding the Roman Catholic

Paris Church of patrocino the Maria

santissima in bulon Cebu it is

noteworthy to emphasize that our donors

procured the specific panels through

legitimate means highlighting their

commitment to ethical acquisition

Moreover The donor's decision to acquire

this artifacts and to the Philippines

reflect their dedication to preserving

Cultural Heritage and promoting

patriotism ang apat na panels idinonate

daw sa kanila ng isang pribadong

kolektor Wala raw silang idea kung

nasaan na ang isa pang panel na nawawala

at bukas daw sila na makipag-usap o

makipag dialogo in the meantime in order

to prioritize the welfare of this panels

We will continue to pursue preventive

conservation measures necessary to

prepare them for the public display in

due course this demonstrates our

steadfast dedication to fostering

understanding appreciation and access to

our Rich Cultural Heritage for all

Filipinos separate tayo na batas diyan

Iyung anti fencing law of 1979

residential decree 1612 sa batas na to

hindi kailangan na yung nala kasali doon

sa pagnakaw ang requirement lamang ng

batas para ikaw ay mahaa is ikaw ang Mi

hawak so the last person who was found

to be in possession of these items that

were taken out without the consent of

the church should be held liable and the

national Museum officials also can be

held as principal by direct

participation because they accepted

sinubukan din naming hingan ng pahayag

ang mga nag-donate ng panel sa National

Museum pero hindi sila sumagot sa aming

mga email samantala nitoang Biyernes ang

lgu o local unit ng bolhoon at pamunuan

ng national Museum nagkaroon ng

pribadong pulong ang aming team

pinayagang makuhanan Ang pag-uusap sama

po aking council to formally aming resol

and letter requesting uli po yung panels

na na i-donate po sa inyong Museum

because laws are not yet so wala tayong

test case on this proving ownership is

one thing but how about regulating

Heritage properties We also have to

consider that these are church

properties ano Iyung patakaran ng church

when it comes to thiss other than just

hinging responsibility Upon The parish

peace no as administrator meaning

everything should be under this ayon kay

Attorney tirol Director 2 for Visayas ng

national Museum Kinikilala nila ang

isumi resolution Pero kailangan pa raw

munang Idaan ito sa dialogue sa pagitan

ng national Museum na ng lgu ng bolhoon

ng archdiocese of Cebu at ng provincial

government of Cebu na gagawin mismo sa

Cebu City given na this can Actually be

a test case for all of us It's also good

for all of us to come together from the

church lgu National Government now we

work on this na proper recovery and also

develop ung magiging system in place sa

pagre repatriate sa siguro ag may mga

collections tayo na Dub yung provenance

siguro an act of goodwill mabalik k mga

butang sa ilang original ng provenance

pag mabalik ito it spells hope for all

other churches hindi lang Bon panalangin

ngayon ang mga tig bolhoon sa lalong

madaling panahon maibalik ang ninakaw sa

kanilang panels lalo't Hindi lang ito

malaking bahagi ng kanilang kasaysayan

simbolo rin ng kan lang matibay na

pananampalataya Thank you so much mga

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