Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has publicly supported the Archdiocese of Cebu’s efforts to retrieve and restore four historic panels that have been missing since the late 1980s. These panels, originally part of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santissima in Boljoon, were recently displayed at the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) after being donated by private individuals.
During a press conference, Garcia emphasized the necessity of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Archdiocese and the NMP to clearly define the terms for the panels’ restoration and their eventual return to the church. She stressed the importance of immediate action, stating, “I reiterate my support to the Archdiocese of Cebu in its quest for the immediate return of the four panels… Restorative works must be done after signing of MOA between the archdiocese and the National Museum (of the Philippines).”
Fr. Brian Brigoli, who leads the Archdiocesan Commission of the Cultural Heritage of the Church, insisted that the NMP should recognize the Archdiocese’s full ownership of the panels, which were stolen from the Boljoon shrine. In a letter sent in July 2024, church officials formally requested the NMP to return the panels.
Brigoli proposed that the restoration should occur in Boljoon, suggesting the establishment of an on-site restoration lab. This approach would not only restore the panels but also educate local residents in conservation techniques, enabling them to preserve other cultural artifacts effectively.
Garcia highlighted the historical significance of the Boljoon church, noting its status as a National Historical Landmark since 1999 and a National Cultural Treasure since 2001, making it a unique site in Cebu. The discussions regarding the panels’ return have been ongoing, with the NMP Board of Trustees addressing the issue in May of the previous year.
The panels disappeared in the late 1980s under mysterious circumstances, with theories suggesting they might have been looted or sold without the consent of Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. They remained missing until their recent display at the museum, sparking renewed efforts for their return and restoration.