ANINI-Y, ANTIQUE ─ The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chair Regalado Trota Jose, Jr. will formally turn over the newly restored St. John de Nepomuceno Parish Church (Anini-y Church) to the Diocese of San Jose de Antique on Thursday, July 17, in a ceremonial gathering at the historic church grounds.
NHCP Chair Jose deliver a message for the ceremonial turnover of the newly restored Anini-y Church while most Reverend Bishop Marvyn A. Maceda, D.D. impart his acceptance message after signing the certificate of transfer. A keynote speech was conveyed by Senator Loren Legarda. Joining as official witnesses to the turnover are NHCP Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo and Fr. Jose Glicerio C. Geremia, parish priest of the St. John de Nepomuceno Parish.
The Anini-y Church, originally built by Augustinian missionaries between 1630 and 1638, was reconstructed into a stronger structure from 1845 to 1879 using coral reefs and egg whites. Despite the townsfolk’s bouts of resistance to Spanish rule, the church remained a significant landmark. It was occupied by the Aglipays during the Philippine Revolution and later handed over to the Roman Catholic Mill Hill Mission in 1906. Remarkably, the church has withstood several catastrophic events, including the 1948 Lady Caycay earthquake, World War II, and a devastating typhoon in 1973, thanks to its robust coral stone foundation.
The Anini-y Church had its first significant restoration in 2016. Later, in 2024, it underwent another restoration in partnership with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research, and publications, and to preserve historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.
