It was a cloudy day of April when I arrived in Cebu aboard the Ocean jet ferry that was from Bohol. The humid air of summer greeted me as I stepped out of the ferry which docked at the Cebu Port 1. While I was walking towards the exit, I was also trying to contact my cousin who was waiting for me at the Ayala Mall. She is also a Boholana who frequently went to Cebu and because of that I asked her a few directions about which way to go since she is more familiar with the place. She gave me instructions including the number of the jeepney that I will be riding. She told me that it would be better if I just hail a cab but I didn’t agree because I know that the fare would be expensive. So she told me that I have to pass through the Plaza Independencia and from there I need to walk almost 200 meters for me to reach the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino where jeepneys bound for Ayala usually pass. Right then, I headed towards the plaza which was a hundred meter away from the port.
As I was approaching the plaza, I noticed a 15 feet monument which is located just at the rear side of the gate. I stopped for a moment a took a closer look, three bold letters read as OAR is on the center of the monument and on its lower part are words which reads “400 Years of Continuing OAR Presence in the Philippines and Asia”. I was pretty clueless about what those words meant so I decided to take a closer look at the monument hoping that I would somehow be enlightened.
I noticed a very large cross on the center of two pillar-like structure on the monument. The tip of the cross served as the highest point of the monument which is slightly tapered towards the end and the two pillar-like structures on the side of the cross have beautiful carved images. The left pillar which is smaller from the other one has a carved image of a star on its uppermost part with numerous rays radiating from it. Below the star is a carved heart that appears to be pierced by an arrow. Finally on the lower part of the pillar is a ship which looks like a galleon and below the ship are carvings which looked like waves that extends to the other pillar . On the other hand, the right pillar which is larger has more familiar images. Its uppermost part has a carved image of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Holy Child Jesus and below this image is a familiar structure the "Bahay-Kubo" with coconut trees on the right side.
Another feature that caught my attention was the bronze sculpture of the three priests which were probably 10 feet high and were placed on the front part of the monument. I was able to tell that they were priests because of their habit. The first priest standing on the left side was known to be the missionary Fray Rodrigo De San Miguel whose both hands holding a book. The second priest was known to be Fr. Andres del Espiritu Santo whose right hand is holding a long bamboo cross and on its left hand is a scroll. The third priest known to be Fray Juan de San Jeronimo was in a kneeling position, his right hand is holding a crucifix and on his other hand is a hammer and a ruler. I think the three priests were the highlight of the monument.
I looked for another features and there I noticed four metal tablets on the lowest part of the monument. The first tablet has the dedication to the Lord of Harvest and there was also written on it about the Augustinian Recollects in the Philippines who dedicated their whole life serving and preaching the Holy Gospel. The first tablet was almost all about the Order of the Augustinian Recollects and how they started their mission through the royal decree of King Phillip III. It was also stated there that the missionaries faced adversaries while they were on their way to the Philippines until thirteen of them finally arrived in Cebu on May 12, 1606.
The second tablet was mostly about the 17th century arrival of the Augustinians and their missionary beginnings. It was at this time when the Augustinians upon their arrival established the five convents in Manila namely the San Juan de Bagumbayan(now Rizal park) , San Nicolas de Tolentino( in Intramuros) , Cavite, Cebu and San Sebastian de Manila. In this period, the Augustinians focused on the conversion of souls and later at that time they were already able to evangelize most of the Northern part of the Philippines.
The third tablet was about the 18th century continuous presence of the Augustinians. What was written on the third tablet was mostly about the accomplishments of the recollects during their time here in the Philippines as more missionaries are sent to the different parts of the archipelago. It was also written that some of the missionaries were held captives by the pirates sailing in the remote seas of Mindanao. It was not easy for the missionaries to travel from one place to the other for they frequently encounter problems especially during their long voyage.
The fourth tablet highlights the 20th century Filipinization and creation of Philippine province. It was at this time when the recollects in the Philippines undergone a gradual progression and underwent a major breakthrough which took place in 1942 when the order welcomed local vocations which became the headway of leading Filipinization of the order in the Philippines. The acknowledgements was also included on the fourth tablet. On the acknowledgement, Cardinal Vidal was mentioned including former mayor Tomas Osmena. The persons behind the construction of the monument were Pio Unilla- designed the monument, Bro. Joaja Jacosalem and Josue Dacame-sculptural design and finally Frank Abella.
After reading what was written on the tablets, I viewed the whole monument and for the first time, I realized that the carvings on the pillars were not just designs but symbols of the life of every missionary. Each of the carvings has a story to tell and that looking at the pillar is like turning the pages of a history book. I was able to interpret the image of the galleon and the traditional bahay-kubo and that it was about the travel of the missionaries and their arrival in the Philippines.
I was too busy staring at the monument that I almost forgot my cousin who was waiting for me at the Ayala mall. I immediately reached for my cellphone that was flooded with messages from my cousin. She had been so worried that mu cellphone was stolen because I wasn’t able to reply to her and that she also thought that I was already lost so I hurriedly informed her that I was fine and that I was on my way to Ayala.
I took my eyes off the monument and started walking towards the other gate of the plaza. As I walked, I looked back at the OAR monument and I noticed that only very few people would stop by it and take a closer look. I realized that it was because on the right side of the OAR monument is Fort San Pedro that is flooded with tourists. I almost forgot to mention that most of the tourist were Asians probably Koreans.I felt sad because for me the OAR monument deserves every little attention that is given to the other monuments in Plaza Independencia including the Fort San Pedro. I think only very few knows the history of the OAR monument. I even wondered if the Cebuanos themselves were aware of this beautiful monument. Anyway, based on what I have read I can say that the OAR monument has a lot of stories to tell compared to the other monuments. It has told me the wonderful story of the missionaries and their fate upon their arrival here in the Philippines.
From where I was standing, I can clearly see the Ipil-ipil tree which is on the left side of the monument. Its canopy was covering the view of the monument. I noticed that the monument was not well maintained for the santan flowers and other ornamental plants surrounding it were not well trimmed including the grasses that were uneven.
I continued to walk until I finally reached the other gate of the plaza and for the last time l looked at the OAR monument, it wasn’t as clear as to where I was standing. At that time, I promised to myself that every time I will be passing Plaza Independencia, I will always stop by the OAR monument and once again gaze on its beauty. Then, I told myself that I will give more time interpreting the symbols on the monument and once again read the history of the OAR.
I hurriedly walked towards Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino and from there I was able to find jeepneys bound for Ayala. While I was on the jeepney, I can’t help myself thinking about the OAR monument. Once I arrived in Ayala, I immediately told my cousin about the OAR monument, she just frowned and said “ Yeah tell it to me later because right now I’m starving!”. I sealed my lips and right then we headed to the food court.
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