18th century bell of Sta. Teresa de Avila Parish missing?

CEBU, Philippines - A reported “lost” centuries-old bell of Sta. Teresa de Avila Parish in barangay Poblacion, Talisay City has created a stir among the churchgoers.

“Taud-taud naman ko wa kadungog mobagting sa kampana, naguba man kuno to ‘nya gipaayo. Pero maayo unta mabalik na maayo pud ng makahibawo ta kung naay misa o kung unsa ng orasa,” said Dolores Balaga, 58.

Balaga, who is a regular churchgoer, said she lives just across the street from the church and it has been a while since she heard the bell ring.

She said a portion of the bell reportedly cracked, that the church had to have it repaired.

But it had reportedly been a long time ago, and she has not known if the bell was returned to its original place or was kept somewhere.

The FREEMAN visited the church and discovered that while the right bell tower (if one is facing the church) has no bell, the left tower has three. The FREEMAN also tried to get the statement of Msgr. Romel Kintanar, parish priest, but he was out of the church at the time.

Barangay Poblacion chief Teodoro Belleza last Monday personally checked the church to find out whether the rumors were true.

It was Kintanar who showed Belleza the purported lost bell inside the church.

The Sta. Teresa de Avila Parish was built in the early 1800s, and according to reports the massive bells in its two bell towers are reportedly made of silver. - THE FREEMAN