In Cebu City: 3 landmarks now declared national treasures

CEBU, Philippines — Three iconic landmarks in Cebu City can now be officially called National Cultural Treasures following the formal turnover and unveiling of their markers from the National Museum of the Philippines. Another landmark is set to be unveiled later this year.

The three recognized sites are Fort San Pedro, Plaza Independencia, and the Miguel Lopez de Legazpi Monument.

“This recognition granted by the National Museum of the Philippines honors the exceptional historical, cultural, and artistic value of these sites,” NMP-Cebu’s post yesterday reads, also stating that “their declaration as National Cultural Treasures is a testament to the collective efforts to preserve and celebrate our past.”

The Freeman learned that the NCT markers actually arrived around last year. However, the city government opted to hold the formal ceremony this week as part of the highlights for National Heritage Month.

The unveiling ceremony also included the signing of a certificate officially transferring the NCT markers to the Cebu City government.

Officials who led the signing were outgoing Mayor Raymond Garcia and Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, along with Philip Rodriguez, a member of the board of trustees of the National Museum of the Philippines, and Mario Marababol, administrative officer of NMP-Cebu.

“These sites are more than just stones and mortars, they are testaments. Testaments to the resilience, testaments to the courage, and testaments to the evolution of our people,” outgoing Mayor Raymond Garcia said.

“The assessment conducted by the National Museum of the Philippines, in consultation with experts, acknowledges these landmarks’ remarkable history and rich local artistry," said Marababol during the unveiling.

He shared that for centuries, Fort San Pedro served as the island’s first line of defense against invaders and eventually became embedded in the consciousness of Cebuanos, adding how it remains a symbol of the foundation on which the city is built.

“This fort has long witnessed Cebu’s vibrant past and continued growth, and surely it will still be there to watch it move forward into the future,” Marababol said.

Plaza Independencia, on the other hand, is an important archaeological site, said Marababol, as excavations have revealed a wealth of artifacts signifying pre-colonial settlement and active trading.

These include funerary facial covers or death masks, which highlight pre-Hispanic cultural practices and further solidify the site’s historical importance, he added.

The Miguel Lopez de Legazpi Monument, though “controversial and complex in its legacy,” Vice Mayor Hontiveros said, “invites us to reflect on the realities of our past and the beginnings of our modern nationhood.”

Hontiveros said these markers are not just commemorative installations but “affirmations of our commitment to remembering and preserving the legacy of our ancestors.”

These heritage sites recognized as National Cultural Treasures, he added, are powerful educational tools and sources of identity—especially in an age when modernization can often lead to cultural erasure.

“Let this be a call to action, not only to protect what remains of our heritage, but to continue discovering, honoring, and sharing our story with the world,” Hontiveros concluded.

Outgoing Mayor Garcia expressed hope that the new set of city officials will continue the legacy he, Hontiveros, and others have started—to love and preserve Cebu’s heritage and culture.

Aside from the three landmarks, the city’s Cultural and Historical Affairs Office Division Chief Bryner Diaz revealed that another landmark in Cebu City is also set to be unveiled as a National Cultural Treasure in August this year. (CEBU NEWS)