March 12, 2025
MANILA – The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) declared the Santa Ursula Church in Binangonan, Rizal, a National Cultural Treasure (NCT).
The church is approximately 225 years old and is among the seven Jubilee churches in the Diocese of Antipolo. The Rizal province tourism website reads:
“At the heart of the Poblacion stands this three-century-old church. Preserved structurally and restored to its historical significance. It was originally a chapel built in the late 15th century by Franciscan missionaries made to gain access to the native settlements around the Laguna de Bay. By the 17th century, it was expanded into a big church to shelter its growing parishioners.”
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NCCA Chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo explained that the church’s unique architecture merited its declaration as an NCT. “Nagpapamalas ito kung paanong naghahalo-halo at nagkaroon ng interaksyon ang mga tradisyon ng sining mula sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng daigdig.”
An original, preserved retablo mayor inside the Santa Ursula Church. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS/ PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
A written document by the NCCA outlines several points solidifying Santa Ursula Church’s historical and cultural significance:
- Santa Ursula Church is one of the only churches in the Philippines overseen by three separate orders: the Franciscans, the Jesuits, and the Augustinians.
- It has two retablo mayors: one built in the 18th century in the baroque style, and a neo-classical one in the 19th century. These are unique because of the inclusion of ornately designed Corinthian columns, spandrels, and finials.
- Lastly, these retablo mayors showcase reverse split pediments, which are the only ones in the Philippines of its kind.
Outside Santa Ursula Church. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS/ PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
Section 3 of the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act reads:
“Cultural properties are old buildings, monuments, shrines, documents, and objects which may be classified as antiques, relics, or artifacts, landmarks, anthropological and historical sites, and specimens of natural history which are of cultural, historical, anthropological or scientific value and significance to the nation.”
According to the National Museum, there are several considerations warranting an object or landmark’s recognition as a National Cultural Treasure. This includes it being “aesthetically significant for their craftsmanship, mode, technical excellence, exquisiteness, expression of skill and quality of design and execution.”
But barring national recognition, what are the benefits to being named a cultural treasure? A site, once under the protection of the government, is safeguarded from unlawful explorations and excavations. The National Museum, the agency tasked with implementing the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act, is also tasked with leading and overseeing any restoration, reconstruction, or preservation efforts. Each site is also entitled to an annual amount of ₱100,000.00 for any projects and expenses covered by the act.
The holy mass commemorating Santa Ursula Church’s declaration as NCT. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS/ PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
Santa Ursula Church is one of four sites in the Rizal Province that were declared an NCT for 2024 and 2025, the others being Juan Senson’s “Baptism of Jesus” painting at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Clement in Angono, San Geronimo Parish Church in Morong, and Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph in Baras.