Wikipedia

500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines

The 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines (500 YOC) was a quincentennial observed in the Philippines. It was held from April 4, 2021, to April 22, 2022, to commemorate the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines in 1521 when the Magellan expedition made a stopover in the islands.

500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines
DateApril 4, 2021 – April 22, 2022 (2021-04-04 – 2022-04-22)
LocationPrimarily in the Philippines (some events held outside the country)
TypeSeries of commemorations
Theme"Gifted to Give"
(Matthew 10:8)
Organized byCatholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
Website500yoc.com

Background

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Main article: 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines
 
Artistic depiction of the Mass at Limasawa by Botong Francisco

The 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines celebrations was part of the larger 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines (2021 QCP) event organized by the Philippine government. The Philippine national government aims to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Filipinos' first contact with the Spanish in 1521 from a Filipino-centric point of view in 2021. The National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) was formed for this purpose in May 2018, when President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) No. 55.[1] On January 28, 2019, President Duterte issued EO 103 formalizing the intent for the commemorations to be "Filipino-centric" and expanded the membership and scope of the NQC.[2]

The full name of the event commemorating the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines is "500th anniversary of the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines"[3]

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) was the lead organizer of the quincentennial of the introduction of the Christianity in the Philippines.[4][5] CBCP President Bishop Pablo Virgilio David rejects the notion that celebrating the 500th anniversary of the introduction of the Philippines as also celebrating the Spanish colonization of the islands citing continued prevalence of the religion long after colonization and asserts that Filipino ancestors were "intelligent enough" to accept what is good and reject what is evil among the introductions made by the Spanish in the Philippines.[6]

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the commemorations were still held albeit modified to comply with protocols imposed in response to the health crisis.[7] Although about 50 projects related to the quincentennial were either canceled or indefinitely postponed.[8]

Marketing

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Pilgrim's Passport of the Diocese of Antipolo

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) adopted the event's theme and logo on September 18, 2019. The theme is "Gifted to Give" was derived from Matthew 10:8. The logo used various elements such as a cross, a ship, the sun, a rosary. The logo depicts a ship with a cross as its mast with the central figure derived from First Baptism in the Philippines painting of Fernando Amorsolo.[9] The logo was designed by Edilberto Dionio, a theology student.[10]

Events

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Commemorative medal

The commemoration of the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines was supposed to culminate in April 2021 but was changed to be the kickoff month of the observances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result some events were held in 2022.[11]

  • December 1, 2019 – 500-day countdown to the 500 Years of Christianity (YOC) event starts.
  • September 26, 2020 – Social media launch of the 500 Years of Christianity (YOC) event.[11]
  • January 5, 2021 – A temporary artwork made from solar-powered light bulbs was installed encompassing the Agrifina Circle and Relief Map at the Rizal Park. The artwork made under the non-profit Liter of Light is in a form of a rosary and the bulbs will be donated after the event.[12]
  • February 25, 2021 – Pope Francis granted until April 22, 2022, plenary indulgences to pilgrims visiting the 537 churches in the Philippines designated as Jubilee Churches.[13]
  • March 14, 2021 – Pope Francis presided a mass at the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City as part of the quincentennial.[14]
  • March 31, 2021 – Commemoration of the first Mass in the Philippines.[15]
  • April 4, 2021 – Official kickoff of the quincentennial celebrations, coinciding with Easter Sunday.[16]
  • April 14, 2021 – Commemoration of the first Christian baptism in the Philippines in Cebu City.[17] A re-enactment of the event saw 500 people with special needs baptized.[5]
 
Leaders of the CBCP and Philippine Independent Church (IFI) during the signing of their mutual agreement and recognition amidst their diversity, as part of celebrating 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021, held at the IFI National Cathedral. Seen in the photo is then-Supreme Bishop Rhee Timbang presenting the IFI's liturgical book to CBCP representatives.

Canceled

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  • August 4–6, 2021 – National Retreat for the Clergy.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Medenilla, Samuel P. (December 21, 2018). "National Quincentennial Committee announces plan to celebrate 500th anniversary of Magellan's expedition to PHL". BusinessMirror. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  2. ^ Parrocha, Azer (February 6, 2020). "Duterte calls for 'Filipino-centric' view on PH quincentennial". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "The National Quincentennial Committee". Facebook. National Quincentennial Committee. November 2, 2018. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Medenilla, Samuel P. (December 21, 2018). "National Quincentennial Committee announces plan to celebrate 500th anniversary of Magellan's expedition to PHL | Samuel P. Medenilla". BusinessMirror. Retrieved September 10, 2021. As for the celebration of the introduction in the country, Escalante said it will be CBCP which will take the lead. "They have their own committee and I understand the CBCP will have its plenary session in the middle of Jan. and this commemoration is one of the agenda of this discussion," Escalante said.
  5. ^ a b Semilla, Nestle (November 13, 2019). "CBCP: Preparations for 500th year of PH Christianization underway". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  6. ^ David, Pablo Virgilio (September 24, 2019). "Why celebrate 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines? Was not Christianity a mere tool for colonial rule?". 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  7. ^ Salaverria, Leila B. (January 10, 2021). "Battle of Mactan rites to push through despite pandemic". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  8. ^ "NQC to artists: Join Quincentennial art, design competitions". Cebu Daily News. November 28, 2020. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  9. ^ "Philippine Church releases logo for 500 years of Christianity - Vatican News". Vatican News. September 23, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "CBCP releases official logo for 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the country". Manila Bulletin. September 23, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "CBCP releases new schedule for quincentennial celebration". SunStar. September 26, 2020. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  12. ^ Agoncillo, Jodee (January 4, 2021). "500 years of Christianity in PH: Rosary made of 3,000 solar-powered lights to take center stage". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  13. ^ "List of Jubilee Churches as PH marks 500 years of Christianity". Rappler. March 6, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  14. ^ Galvez, Daphne (March 3, 2021). "Pope Francis to preside Mass for 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  15. ^ Gabieta, Joey (March 31, 2021). "First Easter Mass in PH commemorated on Limasawa Island". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  16. ^ Esmaquel, Paterno II (April 4, 2021). "Bishops open Jubilee Doors to mark 500 years of Christianity in PH". Rappler. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  17. ^ Erram, Morexette Marie (April 14, 2021). "Cebu holds reenactment of First Baptism with face shields and masks". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  18. ^ Torres, Jose Jr. (August 5, 2021). "Philippine Catholic Church inks documents with nationalist Church for reconciliation, common baptism". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  19. ^ Aquino, Leslie Ann (August 3, 2021). "Catholic, Aglipayan churches issue statement on mutual recognition of baptism". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  20. ^ "Celebrating the gift of faith, learning from the past, and journeying together". Latest Catholic News in Asia. LICAS News. August 4, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  21. ^ Ledesma, Antonio J. (July 25, 2021). "From separation to reconciliation". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  22. ^ Letigio, Delta Dyrecka (April 22, 2022). "Papal Nuncio to be in Cebu for the closing of 500 YOC". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
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