Santa Barbara, Iloilo has a special place in our country's history. I was honored to celebrate our 115th Independence Day with the citizens of Santa Barbara. One of the town's heritage sites is the
Santa Barbara Church, a
National Historical Landmark. It was here that the Revolutionary Government of the Visayas led by Gen. Martin T. Delgado convened the junta that raised the first cry outside Luzon.
Another heritage site is the
Iloilo Golf and Country Club, the first golf course in the Philippines, which was established by Scottish engineers in 1907. Unfortunately, the original club house was burned down by the Japanese during the Second World War. Except for the historical marker, there's no other structure that highlights that it is the country's oldest golf course. Maybe they could reconstruct the old club house to house the golf course's museum, an added attraction for Santa Barbara. There are many qualified restoration architects who can do that.
 |
| With Sta. Barbara Mayor Dennis Superficial, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor & Cabatuan Mayor Ramon Yee during the 115th Independence Day ceremonies |
There were plans of renovating the Santa Barbara Church complex a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteWould you know whatever happened to these plans?
I heard there was a restoration budget allotted already. But HCS will monitor this very closely and make sure the methodologies are correct.
ReplyDeleteJust read this in 'Libre':
ReplyDeleteIloilo to host Philippine Independence in 2015?
Friday, 02 August 2013 00:00
Written by Karen V. Bermejo
Karen V. Bermejo
sugarwithaspice.wordpress.com
The proposed P50-million restoration of the historical Santa Barbara Church and Convent will now push through in preparation for the province’s bid to host the 2015 Philippine Independence Day celebration in which President Benigno S. Aquino III will be the guest of honor.
Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. announced that P30 million was raised to augment the P20 million initial budget allocated by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
Defensor said the NHCP pledged to give additional P10 million for the project.
Another P10 million will come from the office of Senate President Franklin Drilon and P5 million each from the office of Second District Congressman Arcadio Gorriceta and the Iloilo Provincial Government.
Defensor explained that the restoration project originated during the visit of NHCP Chair Maria Serena Diokno in the town in 2011 for the transfer of the remains of General Martin Delgado in his monument at the town’s plaza.
Noting the significance of the baroque church and its adjacent convent in Philippine history, Defensor said the restoration is a firm commitment in preserving the heritage of Iloilo.
NHCP, formerly the National Historical Institute (NHI), declared the Santa Barbara Church and Convent as a National Historical Landmark in July 1990.*