New National Cultural Treasures, Important Cultural Properties revealed by National Museum

Just a few days before Christmas Day, the National Museum has revealed the newest addition to the country's National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. 

In a Facebook post, National Museum said that the properties found throughout the Philippines have been recommended for declaration throughout the year and were approved by its director Jeremy Barns.

National Cultural Treasures:

1. Alcaiceria de San Fernando (Binondo, Manila) Marker of 1762
2. "Maradika", the Qur'an of Bayan (Lanao del Sur)
3. International Rice Research Institute Series by National Artist Vicente Manansala (two paintings)
4. Paco Park (Cementerio Municipal de Manila y Capilla de San Pancracio) in Paco, Manila
5. Watchtowers in Ilocos Sur
6. Watchtower of Santiago in Barangay Sabangan
7. Watchtower of San Esteban in Barangay Bateria
8. Watchtower of Narvacan in Barangay Sulvec
9. Watchtower-Belfry of the Church of San Agustin in Bantay
10. Watchtowers in Ilocos Norte
11. Watchtower of Badoc in Barangay Lingasy
12. North Watchtower of Currimao in Barangay Poblacion Uno
13. South Watchtower of Currimao in Barangay Torre
14. Watchtower-Belfry of the Church (now Cathedral) of San Guillerno Ermitaño in Laoag
15. Watchtower in Bacarra in Barangay Natba
16. Watchtower in Pasuquin in Barangay Puyupuyan
17. Dampol Bridge in Dupas del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, as an integral part of the Church Complex of San Vicente Ferrer, declared as a National Cultural Treasure in 2003, and which henceforth are to be known collectively as the San Vicente Ferrer Church Complex and Dampol Bridge of Dupax del Sur (Nueva Vizcaya) National Cultural Treasure
18. Minor Basilica and Church Complex of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario in Manaoag, Pangasinan, including the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and movable and intangible properties intrinsic to the cultural significance of the property
19. Sacred Art of the Parish Church of Santiago Apostol in Paete, Laguna (four paintings in situ)
20. Ruins of Cagsawa Church in Daraga Albay
21. Roman Catholic Cemetery (Camposanto) of San Joaquin, Iloilo, as an integral part of the Church Complex of San Joaquin, declared as a National Cultural Treasure in 2003, and which henceforth are to be known collectively as the San Joaquin Church Complex and Camposanto of San Joaquin (Iloilo) National Cultural Treasure

Built in 1591, the Bantay Bell Tower sits on top of a small hill in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Photo: Trisha Macas

Important Cultural Properties:

1. Building of the Philippine Center for Population and Development by National Artist Leandro V. Locsin in Taguig City
2. Church Complex of San Bartolome in Malabon City
3. Cariño House in Candon City, Ilocos Sur
4. Church Complex of San Nicolas de Tolentino, including the convento (Santa Rosa Academy) and the road-side via crucis structures in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
5. Building of the San Nicolas Central School in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
6. Municipal Hall of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
7. Valdez-Lardizabal House in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
8. Nagrebcan Archaeological Site in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
9. Callao Cave Complex, Peñablanca, Cagayan Valley
10. Santa Maria Bridge, Sitio Tanibong, Aritao-Quirino Road, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya
11. Colegio del Santisimo Rosario (Diplomat Hotel) Ruins, Dominican Hill, Baguio City
12. Laperal House, Baguio City
13. Peredo's Lodging House, Baguio City
14. Church Complex of Santo Rosario, Angeles City, Pampanga
15. Angel Pantaleon de Miranda House in Angeles City, Pampanga
16. Patricia Mercado - Gomes Masnou House in Angeles City, Pampanga
17. Juan Nepomuceno Camalig in Angeles City, Pampanga
18. Jose Pedro Henson y Leon Santos Deposito in Angeles City, Pampanga
19. Ciriaco de Miranda House in Angeles City, Pampanga
20. Mariano Lacson House in Angeles City, Pampanga
21. Rafael Yutuc Sr. House in Angeles City, Pampanga 
22. Municipal Hall og Guagua, Pampanga
23. Church Complex of Immaculada Concepcion in Guagua, Pampanga
24. Church Complex of San Bartolome in Magalang, Pampanga
25. Municipal Hall of Magalang, Pampanga
26. Municipal Hall of Lubao, Pampanga
27. Old Municipal Hall (Baliuag Museum and Library) of Baliuag, Bulacan
28. Barit Bridge in Barangay Santiago, Iriga City, Camarines Sur
29. Avanceña House (Camiña Balay na Bato) in Arevalo, Iloilo City
30. Lizares-Gamboa Mansion (Angelicum School) in Jaro, Iloilo City
31. Sornito House in Santa Barbara, Iloilo
32. Chapel of Saint Joseph the Worker in Victorias, Negros Occidental

A National Cultural Treasure is a "unique cultural property found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is highly significant and important to the country and nation."

Meanwhile, an Important Cultural Property possesses "exceptional cultural, artistic and/or historical significance."

National Museum said that majority of the declarations in 2015 stemmed from petitions made by property owners and concerned parties. Declarations of Important Cultural Properties and National Cultural Treasures can also be a result of National Museum's own research and recommendation from other government agencies.

Aside from highlighting their significance in Filipino heritage, the National Museum's declaration serve to facilitate measures for the protection, preservation, and promotion of the identified cultural properties. —Trisha Macas/AT, GMA News