TACLOBAN CITY – An ordinance proposing some updating of Catbalogan City’s local cultural inventory was tackled during a committee meeting chaired by Councilor Stephany Uy-Tan.
The proposed ordinance focuses on six tangible immovable properties and three intangible properties, as endorsed by the City Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Information Office (CTCAIO).
Tangible cultural properties, as defined by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), encompass items of historical, archival, anthropological, archaeological, artistic, and/or architectural significance, including antiques and natural history specimens.
Intangible cultural properties, on the other hand, encompass learned processes, knowledge, skills, creativity, and other manifestations developed and maintained by communities.
Among the six tangible immovable properties slated for updating are the Rizal Statue, crafted by Catbaloganon sculptor Miguel Alcazar in 1959, located within the city compound.
This statue features the bust of National Hero Jose Rizal atop his two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, carried by three muscular figures.
Additionally, the list includes the St. Bartholomew Church, Pieta Park—a memorial for the victims of the Doña Paz tragedy,Samar Provincial Capitol Building, Imelda Park, and the Obelisk located in front of the provincial capitol building, which depicts significant events in Samar Island’s history.
These six tangible immovable properties are already listed in the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP) which serves as the repository for all information related to culturally significant properties in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the three intangible properties are bulad (dried fish), tamalos (a local dish inspired by the Mexican dish tamales), and Bola Catalana (the city’s version of embutido).
Approval of the ordinance is targeted for April of this year for the three intangible properties, coinciding with the celebration of Filipino Food Month, and May for the tangible immovable properties, in line with the National Heritage Month celebrations.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
