The Santa Barbara Church and Convent — a National Historical Landmark, joined heritage sites across the country as the Philippines officially start the 500-Day countdown for the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines in 2021.
Dubbed as LIGHTS ON, this nationwide ceremony, covered by RTVMalacañang and PTV 4, held last December 14, 2019 with twenty one (21) chosen Philippine heritage sites across the archipelago "lighting up" their respective historical significance with the main celebration taking place in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan, Cebu.
The parish convent hosted a series of meetings of the Ejercito Libertador led by Gen. Martin T. Delgado during the Spanish regime that led to the "Cry of Santa Barbara" on November 17, 1898 - the first Philippine flag raising outside of Luzon.
Santa Barbara Mayor Rema B. Somo led the countdown ceremony together with Vice Mayor Jeffrey Sumbilla and the SB Sangguniang Bayan members.
Highlighting the event were several musical performances led Rev. Javis Paat, a WCOPA gold medalist who interpreted who themesong of the celebration entitled "BAGANI".
The Cry of Santa Barbara song "Marcha Libertador" was played by the Santa Barbara National Comprehensive High School Band while Philippine National Police Region VI Marching Band played classic and modern tunes.
"This is another milestone for our town to be included in the 21 heritage sites recognized to have contributed to the history of the Philippines" says Irene Magallon of the Santa Barbara LGU Tourism Office who spearheaded the event.
The Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines #QCP2021 is a worldwide commemoration the 500th Year Anniversary of the following.
- Victory at the Battle of Mactan
- Introduction of Christianity in the Philippines
- Circumnavigation of the world with the Magellan-Elcano expedition.
The celebration with the theme " World of our Ancestors" is expected to showcase the unity, magnanimity, sovereignty and identity of the Filipino nation through diverse platform of participation nationwide.