Installation of banners for quincentennial celebration okayed

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has authorized the Archdiocese of Cebu to install streamers and banners in relation to the 500th year celebration of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines in the city.

The archdiocese is also exempted from any fees in the installation of such.

Councilor Joel Garganera, who sponsored a resolution regarding the matter which was approved by the City Council Wednesday, said the 500th year celebration of the Christianity of Cebu has a great impact towards its culture and identity, and should be significantly celebrated.

He said the installation of historical banners serves as an effortless reminder to the public of the upcoming celebration.

The councilor said it is imperative that the city initiates the installation of historical banners in order to further promote the said event.

 “Due to the limited restrictions of social gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic where physical celebrations cannot be catered, the essence of the commemoration shall be present with the visual appearance of these banners,” said Garganera.

Last month, it was reported that the police has started to lay the groundwork to secure the upcoming 500th anniversary celebration of the arrival of Christianity in the country, which will be held in Cebu this April.

Cebu City Police Office Director Colonel Josefino Ligan said that they will be coordinating with officials from the Archdiocese of Cebu on what activities need security detail.

The Philippines proudly boasts to be the only Christian nation in Asia wherein 86 percent of the population are composed of Roman Catholics and the first baptism in the country took place on April 14, 1521 in Cebu.

In 1521, Christianity arrived in the Philippines when the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who was heading a Spanish expedition, reached the country’s shores in an attempt to reach the East Indies by sailing westward. — KQD (FREEMAN)