FOUR writers, seven photographers and an unaccounted number of other volunteers have come up with a coffee table book that will encapsulate the history and artistry of the Catholic Church in Cebu.

“Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu” was launched yesterday before Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Cebu mayors, councilors, politicians and art enthusiasts.

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Msgr. Carlito Pono, director of the Cathedral Museum, described the project as “a panorama of faith expression.”

It is a work of contemporary writers, but many of the details were anchored on the works of Fr. Felipe Redondo, circa 1886, the first to document the religious history of Cebu, said Msgr. Pono.

Cardinal Vidal called it the “fruit of the labors of many individuals and groups of the past, present and future of the Archdiocese of Cebu.”

Published by the Church Heritage Committee of the Archdiocese of Cebu and the University of San Carlos Press, the book, which has an initial run of 2,000 hardcover copies, is filled with photos of Cebu churches and relics.

Editor Jose Eleazar Bersales told Sun.Star Cebu they had difficulty in choosing the photographs to be included since most shots were beautiful, as were the subjects.

Although the public launching will still be on Nov. 26, pre-selling at a discounted price of P1,500 has started.

Bersales said they will be publishing a paperback edition for the students at P700 each.

Secretary Durano, during his speech, said the book is significant because it offers a glimpse of Cebu’s faith and history and features the churches, which to him show the Filipino characteristics of compassion, hopefulness and resilience.

DOT will purchase 500 copies of the book to be distributed to all foreign embassies in the country, all Philippine embassies abroad and all DOT regional offices.

Durano explained that tourists would want to understand who Cebuanos really are, and the churches in Cebu and the religious rituals are ways through which the foreign visitors can learn the culture and character of Cebuanos.

He added that 70 percent of tourists return to the Philippines and ask for new things to experience in the country. The book will help the tourist find new things in Cebu, which is better known for its beaches, added Durano.

“If you consider yourself a Cebuano or Cebuana or an art lover, this is your future,” said Gil Maningo, one of the photographers. He said it was a challenge taking photos because relics are sensitive to the camera’s flash.

Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (Cebu Province, 6th district) deemed the book as a way to introduce Cebuanos to “the heritage that we have long forgotten.”

Bersales said they discovered many antique santoses while researching, but parish administrations were not aware of their value.

The Cebu Province Committee for Culture and Heritage is urging parishes to document and inventory the items to protect them from theft.