Kidsters

Although not really considered as “heritage” in terms of age (since the National Historical Institute states that what can be considered as heritage buildings are those that have been standing for at least 50 years), the Heritage of Cebu Monument, located in historic Pari-an District is still a feast to the eye.

This breath-taking tableau, created by national sculptor Eduardo Castrillo in 2003, features some of Cebu City’s important heritage sites and events in history.

It can be viewed at the former plaza across the Pari-an Fire Station. According to cebuheritage.com, the fire station “stands at the very site where the church of St. John the Baptist, which was demolished during the Spanish colonial period, once stood”.
Among the buildings featured are some of the Cebu’s prominent Spanish churches like the church of St. John the Baptist in Pari-an, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

The historical events that were depicted in thsis huge sculpture include the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in Cebu and the finding of the image of the Sto. Niño.
One should visit this “one-stop-shop” of Cebu’s rich history. <i>(Compiled by the United Architects of the Philippines Sugbu Chapter; photos from www.pbase.com/iabasolo by Ian Abasolo)</i>