The four pulpit panels that traced provenance from Boljoon Church in southern Cebu Province were turned over officially by personnel of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) to the Archdiocese of Cebu. 

The four pulpit panels depicting 19th-century saints, that were lost in the 80s and resurfaced in an exhibit at NMP in Manila in 2024, were repatriated to Cebu on March 13, 2025. 

On Friday, March 14, 2025 the panels were returned to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santissima in Boljoon town. 

The panels were turned over to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and other members of the clergy. Palma said the return serves as the greatest fit he has had who is set to celebrate his birth anniversary on March 19, 2025, and mark his retirement age. 

Boljoon Mayor Joji Derama and members of the Parish Pastoral Council have welcomed the positive response to their request on the return of the panels. 

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia who pursued the return of the panels also graced the turnover ceremony at the Archdiocesan Museum of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, along with her daughter, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco who emphasized the significance of conservation of important religious articles and artifacts connected with Cebu history in heritage and faith tourism. 

REPATRIATION OF 4 PULPIT PANELS 

In a social media post, Atty-Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo delos Angeles, Archdiocesan legal officer, announced the arrival of the pulpit panels at the Mactan Cebu International Airport on March 13, 2025.

The panels were met at the airport, taken immediately to the Archdiocesan Museum, and were opened to check restoration works promised by the NMP prior to the repatriation and formal turnover to the Archdiocese of Cebu.

Rev. Fr. Bryan Brigoli, chairman of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission of the Cultural Heritage of the Church, is one of the witnesses in the turnover.

In a text message, Brigoli announced of a motorcade of the pulpit panels at 6 a.m. on March 14, 2025 to Boljoon Church where the religious items belong.

A Holy Mass was offered both in thanksgiving and in welcoming the return of the panels.

A transmittal letter was also signed as proof that the four pulpit panels were returned to the Archdiocese of Cebu. 

(with Albert Aballe/GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak Desk)