DOT completes Parian "Heritage Monument" restoration

CEBU, Philippines - The government has completed the intensive restoration and preservation of the Heritage Monument of Cebu, an additional tourist attraction that reflects the rich history of Cebu City.

The P2-million project, which was funded by the Department of Tourism (DOT), is a sculptural tableau that encapsulates Cebu ’s history through renowned historical figures such as Rajah Humabon, Jose Rizal and Pedro Calungsod.

The monument was purposely situated in Parian to highlight the area’s important role in the country’s history. Parian, which is near Colon St. , the oldest street in the Philippines, was the old Chinese district of Cebu. It was a bustling community where the locals, the Chinese and Spanish mestizos engaged in commerce and trade. Some of Cebu ’s prominent names such as Osmenas, Avilas, Uy-Herreras and Cuencos trace their roots to Parian, which was once an enclave of wealthy families.

“As one of the city’s deeply-rooted historical quarters, the Parian district is teeming with structures, monuments, collections and stories that encompass several periods in Cebu ’s rich past, dating back from the 5th century. Our history lives within this site,” Tourism Chief Ace Durano said during the ceremonial lighting of the monument last Friday.

On the sidelines of the event, Durano told The Freeman that providing the proper lighting of the monument was the most expensive part of the project, which also includes flooring, grille fencing, molding and landscaping.

He expressed relief on the project’s completion, saying this could be his last project as DOT Secretary.

“Mora ko ug naibtan ug tunok (Finally, I can heave a sigh of relief). Knowing that (my) time is running out, I made sure that the budget for this will be out before the election ban because I have really committed (to complete this project,)” Durano said.

Since the monument is a collaborative effort, the DOT has turned over to the Cebu City local government the responsibility of maintaining the historical site. According to the memorandum of agreement between the DOT, the Cebu City local government and Barangay Parian, the monument “gives the City the legal basis to provide funds for the maintenance and preservation of the site.” This includes providing for the safety and security of its visitors.

Durano said part of the program is for DOT to train tour guides on how to explain the monument to their tour groups.

He added that Cebu should strive not to loose its cultural and historical values in its effort to develop and modernize.

DOT 7 Director Rica Bueana said the “newly refurbished Parian Park will serve to enhance Cebu ’s famous heritage tours and further boost tourists into the region.”

Aside from the newly-restored monument, other historical landmarks in Parian are the Casa Gorordo, which was built in the 1860s as a home to the first Cebuano bishop Juan Gorordo; and the “Balay na Bato,” the ancestral house of the Yap-Sandiego.