Replica galleon to visit Cebu

CEBU, Philippines – A replica of the galleon Andalucia will arrive in Cebu on Wednesday, Oct. 13 for the Dia del Galleon (Day of the Galleon) festival visits to Cebu.

The Viaje Del Galleon is one of the activities of the Dia del Galleon which aims to remind us the significance of the galleon and its contributions to the world.

According to Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts commissioner, the visit aims to educate the young people about what happened in the past so "they can learn from it, and also to bring back the con sciousness of the people that the Galleon is part of Cebu City's history."

"The significance of celebrating the Dia del Galleon is helping to know ourselves, as who we are as a people, and learn from our history. It will also change our perception to the Spaniards that they are not only our colonists but also they brought good things to the Philippines," added Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director of the Culture and Heritage Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.

The celebration of the 1st Dia del Galleon Festival in the Philippines is organized by the Baler 400 Steering Committee and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The galleon will only stay for four days and can only allow 25 visitors aboard at a time.

Visits will feature lectures and activities about the importance and contributions of the galleon on the spiritual, cultural and economic developments of the different islands in the Philippines.

A few of the other activities of the Dia Del Galleon include a nationwide compositions contest, an essay writing contest and declamations in Spanish.

Around 300 delegates from the NCCA toured around Cebu yesterday.

Rentoria said that the delegates of the event will become facilitators next year. He also said this will not be the replica's last visit to the country as they are planning to have a heritage pilgrimage in support of this event. - Vanessa Barcial and Maluna Sanguenza, USJ-R interns/BRP (FREEMAN)