Auction held for Oslob church's rehabilitation

CEBU – The Archdiocese of Cebu, headed by its Cebu Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, continues its efforts to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the century-old Oslob church that was razed by fire more than six months ago.

In the opening of a one-man art exhibit entitled “Simbahan: The Heritage Churches of Cebu” by artist Tony Alcoseba, a watercolor painting of the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception parish church was put into auction. Proceeds will go to the fund intended for the rebuilding of the Oslob church.

To recall, the Archdiocese of Cebu has established three committees that will supervise the project to help Oslob in reviving its church. The committees on technicalities, finance, and fundraising are currently working on the details of the project.

During the inspection conducted by the committee on technicalities, it was decided that the church will be rebuilt. But it will be built following its original design.

“Of course, we will have to use some new materials because the materials of the old church may not be available anymore. But for sure, we will retain what are to be retained,” Msgr. Carlito Puno, chairman of the CACCHC and director of the Cathedral Museum of Cebu where the exhibit is currently being held, said.

The rebuilding of the church, Puno said, would need P35 million to P40 million. Several means in raising funds were already done to get the target budget, but Puno said they still have to collect more.

Puno said that, initially, they have collected P120,000 from the fundraising activity conducted by residents of Oslob.

A second collection in all churches of the diocese was also done accumulating P500,000. Also, the University of the Visayas Chorale once staged a concert for a cause for Oslob church.

Right now, the archdiocese is planning to have a tour of the icon of the Immaculate Conception in selected churches in Cebu.

Oslob church was gutted down by fire midnight of March 26 this year. No casualties were reported, but property inside the convent destroyed by the said fire is estimated to be worth around P2 million. — Jessica Ann Pareja/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)