THE University of San Carlos (USC) School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design (Safad) formally launched its February 2021 issue of the Lantawan Magazine dedicated to the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the country on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021.

Architect Margret Rosario, dean of Safad, said during the online launch that the February 2021 issue of the Lantawan Magazine is a special issue as it reflects the development of arts and architecture during 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.

Brother Bela Lanyi, SVD, editor-in-chief of the Lantawan Magazine, said the stories of the issue have no headlines as they are a time document.

Faith’s journey

In his content overview, Lanyi said the magazine contains a page entitled “Panaw sa Pagtuo (Journey of Faith)” written by Fr. Bryan Brigoli, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Cebu, which tackles how architecture and art helped boost the faith of the Christians.

Lanyi said the first part of the magazine contains scholarly articles on the history of the Cebu archdiocese and the parishes in towns of the province and the urban history of Cebu City, including how Spanish fortifications created the center of urban developments in many Cebuano cities and even in other cities across the country.

“Lantawan Magazine is not only for Cebuanos, but it also aims to show something for the readers from other parts of the country,” he said.

Moreover, he said, the magazine also dedicates a page featuring the beautiful church ceilings in Cebu with articles that present how these church ceilings expressed Cebuano spirituality.

The magazine also contains a collection of various images of Sto. Niño presented in a part entitled “Since then, Santo Niño.”

Different issue

Lanyi said this Lantawan issue is different from other Lantawan issues and even different from the usual understanding of Cebuanos about university publications.

“USC is beyond teaching. We have research, entrepreneurship, community extension and communication. This Lantawan embraces all the five areas,” he said.

The Lantawan Magazine started in 2008.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in a video message, thanked the SVD community (the USC administrators) and organizers of the Lantawan Magazine for their help in providing a “legacy for the future generations.”

“(The) 500th year anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in our country comes to us once in a lifetime. We cannot, but celebrate God’s presence, journey, with us and share the enthusiasm to everyone we meet,” the prelate said.

USC president Narciso Cellan Jr. likened the latest issue to a messenger and the message itself.

He said it is “a message that is grateful to the gift of Christian faith which Christ the Lord has bestowed upon our country for 500 years and counting.”

Lanyi said Carolinian students can receive an electronic copy of the magazine through the University’s Management System while others can purchase it online soon.

“I hope that in two to three weeks, the mass production of the printed version will also come,” he said. (WBS)