Did you know? The ashes of Filipino artist Juan Luna are interred in Manila

Photo by Bernadette Parco

Did you know that the final resting place of renowned Filipino painter Juan Luna is in a church in Manila?

Luna's ashes are interred in the crypt of the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila. A brown tombstone marks the location of "niche No. 73."

Born in Badoc, Ilocos Norte on October 23, 1857, his family moved to Manila and they lived in Trozo.

Luna received accolades for his work that included "The Blood Compact," which is on display at the Malacañang. But his most popular is "The Spoliarium," which is on display at the National Museum.

He died in Hong Kong in 1899.

Based on the short biography near his tombstone, his son, Andres Luna, brought his ashes to Manila and kept these in his house in 1920.

After the death of Andres, and through the initiative of Architect Carlos E. da Silva, the remains of the artist were transferred to the San Agustin Church and placed in niche No. 73 after a solemn religious service on November 28, 1953. —LBG, GMA News