Celebrating 500th Years of the Arrival of Christianity in the Philippines

Tomorrow April 14, 2021, Filipinos, the Cebuanos in particular will celebrate one of the biggest religious events in the history of Philippine Christianity, the Quincentennial Celebration with a theme “ Victory and Humanity.” Several religious activities have been prepared for tomorrow’s historic religious event. Tomorrow's celebration will be very big that the Archdiocese of Cebu, together with the officials of Cebu City has been preparing for this momentous event as early as last year. 

Symbolic Visit 

The Spanish Navy training ship, Juan Sebastian Elcano visited some places in the Philippines and recently in the port of Cebu on March 20, 2021. Aboard the ship were the beautiful and handsome Spanish Navy crew. 

The ship was named after the first person who circumnavigated the world, Juan Sebastian Elcano along with Ferdinand Magellan and his men who, unfortunately, met their tragic deaths at the hands of a local chieftain, Lapu-Lapu, and his men on the island of Mactan. 

The Spanish Navy ship reportedly followed the original route followed by Juan Sebastian Elcano, Ferdinand Magellan, and his men. 

First Baptism 

The highlight for tomorrow's religious activities will be the first baptism in the country. On March 14, 1521, the Spanish priests baptized the local Chieftain, Rajah Humabon, his wife, and Humabon's men that took place in Cebu City. 

Holiday in Cebu


To give people more time to celebrate this momentous event, local officials of Cebu City filed a resolution declaring April 14, 2021, as Non-working Holiday in Cebu City which was approved by Malacañang. 

Unfortunately, with the continuing threat of the covid-19 virus, and in adherence to the government's health protocols, these events will be off-limit to the public. But Filipinos can celebrate and watch this event online. 

Big Religious Events 

In line with the celebration, the Cebu City government and the Archdiocese of Cebu have four religious events for tomorrow's celebration such as: 

A concelebrated mass to be presided by Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, 

The reenactment of the first baptism, 

And the giving of the image of the Sto. Niño to the first Christians in Cebu, 500 years ago. 

The main venue for tomorrow’s religious activities will be the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. These historic events will be aired live via social media platforms in compliance with the government’s basic health protocols. 

This event is very significant to the lives of the Filipinos that as early as last year, the Archdiocese of Cebu together with local officials of Cebu City has already been preparing for this historic celebration.


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