TIMING is everything. On June 6, 2024, I wanted to visit the Holy Trinity Academy in Loay, Bohol, to reminisce about pleasant memories from my childhood. Oh yes, I am a true-blue sentimental who cherishes the good old days when my mom, who was then the Department of Education, Division of Bohol private schools area supervisor, used to tag me along in either her surprise or planned school visits. We would be graciously entertained by the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit, or SSpS sisters. I remember being amazed by the height of the school from the ground and its proximity to Loay Church. Those were truly delightful days.
When I reached the place, I was both amazed and saddened. The school’s appearance has changed since I last visited decades ago—what was I thinking, haha! So much for sentimentalism, huh! But then, I found a museum! What a discovery! Remarkably, I also found the church bell tower proudly standing, although separate from the church, and which, according to www.theoldchurches.com/philippines/bohol/loay/most-holy-trinity-church-in-loay-bohol/, was erected during the tenure of Fr. Carlos Ubeda in 1865. I couldn’t even remember the bell tower years back, so it was fascinating for me!
NHCP Museo ng Pamana at Kasaysayang Boholano
Now, early this week, after nearly twelve months since I explored the NHCP Museo ng Pamana at Kasaysayang Boholano—for brevity, let’s call it Pamana Museum, I was finally able to watch most of the contents of the USB flash drive that Officer-In-Charge Perlina “Pearl” M. Alo handed to me on August 1, 2024. The video materials and documentaries are interesting, and in fact, I immediately uploaded the info materials to my Meta accounts and pages for the appreciation of those who love history. It pays to revisit our history occasionally. It reminds us of our struggles, our sacrifices, the blood, sweat, and tears of our ancestors, and our wins as a people.
For museum enthusiasts, Pamana is in Poblacion Ubos, Loay, Bohol. I’m wondering why “Ubos” though when it’s situated high up. I would say it is a hidden gem. One needs to intentionally visit the site because it’s not along the road. However, the good news is it’s found at the Holy Trinity Parish Church compound. The museum is one of twenty-nine museums managed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Two buildings are used to house the museum: the Escuela Los Niños and the Casa Tribunal.
A two-story building that houses a gallery dedicated to Boholano heritage, Casa Tribunal features the colonial churches of Bohol damaged by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake on October 15, 2013. It highlights the reconstruction and preservation efforts implemented by the NHCP. Meanwhile, the Escuela los Niños hosts another gallery that takes you back to the history of Bohol, spanning the Spanish, American, and Japanese colonization, up to the liberation of Bohol from Japanese forces.
Interestingly, when the Loay Parish Church held its restoration ceremony on October 15, 2017—four years after the 2013 earthquake, the museum was also opened. The museum is Bohol’s first-ever history museum.
From 2017 to the present, the museum has accommodated more than 3,000 visitors and guests, including this writer. This was only interrupted during the unwanted pandemic in 2020. The Bohol Provincial Tourism Office initiated promotion efforts post-pandemic. The categories of visitors include Junior High and Senior High students, college students from nearby Tagbilaran City, and colleges from Danao and Trinidad, and some foreign tourists of different nationalities.
I was particularly curious about the difference between the roles and functions played by the NHCP and the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), so I dug. Briefly, the vision and mission of NHCP encompass a Filipino society that is aware of its history, is patriotic, and proud of its heritage. NHCP supports research, dissemination, conservation, site management, and heraldry work with the view of instilling pride and reviving the Filipino spirit through the lessons of history. On the other hand, the NMP envisions a world-class and socially-responsive institution that preserves legacy, fosters a profound sense of Filipino identity, and shapes a progressive and sustainable future. NMP manages museums and conducts dynamic public programs anchored on engagement, research, collections, and collaborations using best practices.
From a writer’s perspective, I don’t see any difference in the work rendered by both institutions, gauging from their respective visions and missions. But whether they differ or not is not the point. I would rather focus on how both institutions can aggressively rekindle, revitalize, and reconstruct a culture of patriotism and a society of Filipinos who genuinely love their motherland.
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Catch Woman Talk with Belinda Sales starting July 19, 2025, at Radio Station DYTR in Tagbilaran City from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m. Email at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Follow us on X at @ShilohRuthie./PN
