Replica of the Santo Niño De Cebu is now part of  the permanent exhibition, Os Locais E Culturas Da Viagem De Magalhaes, in Sabrosa, Portugal

The Philippine Ambassador to Portugal, H.E. Celia Anna M. Feria, officially presented to Mayor Helena Lapa of the Municipality of Sabrosa (in the District of Vila Real) the replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu, which now forms part of the permanent exhibition at the Os Locais E Culturas Da Viagem de Fernao de Magalhaes (The Places and Cultures of Fernão de Magalhaes's Voyage), located at the Parque BB King in Sabrosa, Portugal, on 08 September 2023.

This replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was a gift from the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu to the Municipality of Sabrosa.

The official handover of the replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu is a manifestation of the enduring friendship and deep cultural connections shared between the Philippines and the Municipality of Sabrosa, the known birthplace of Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan.

In her remarks, Ambassador Feria cited “There could be no better way to conclude the quincentennial celebration than by bringing to Sabrosa the replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu, the most revered religious image in the Philippines, whose story is eternally linked to the legacy of Ferdinand Magellan.”  The image of the Santo Niño was a baptismal gift of Ferdinand Magellan to the Queen of Cebu, baptized with the name Juana. The baptism of Rajah Humabon and his Queen, along with 800 others, took place in the island of Cebu on April 14, 1521.

Ambassador Feria also acknowledged the unwavering support of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, in particular its Rector the Reverend Nelson G. Zerda, who helped the Philippine Embassy in promoting the shared narratives of the Santo Niño de Cebu and Magellan during the three-year long ​​commemorations of the 500 years of the Victory at Mactan; the Introduction of Christianity in the Philippines; and the 500 years of the First Circumnavigation of the World by the Magellan-Elcano expedition.

The handover ceremony also paid tribute to the late Mayor of Cebu, Edgardo Labella, for his support in promoting the many activities in both Cebu and Sabrosa throughout the commemoration period.  Recognition was also given to the late Bernardette Solina-Wolf, the talented young Filipina artist who created the A Bao: NutArt project, the hand-painted coconut shells that feature the key characters in Magellan’s famous voyage to the islands we now call the Philippines.

The replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was generously donated by the Basilica Minore del Santo. Niño de Cebu to the Municipality of Sabrosa, and the 14 pieces of coconut art hand-painted by Ms. Solina-Wolf depicting the characters from Magellan’s voyage to the Philippines.

Present during the ceremony included Dra. Helena Lacerda Pavão, President of the Municipal Assembly of Sabrosa; Dr. José Manuel Marques, Former President of the Estrutura de Missão para as Comemorações de Fernão de Magalhães (the Portuguese counterpart of the National Quincentennial Committee) and former Mayor of Sabrosa; Dr. João Veiga, the President of the Parish Council of Sabrosa, Dr. Alfredo Martins, director of the exhibition.

The turnover of the replica of the Santo Nino de Cebu served as the official conclusion of the Philippine Embassy's three-year long commemoration of the 500 Years of the Victory at Mactan; the Introduction of Christianity in the Philippines; and the 500 years of the First Circumnavigation of the World by the Magellan-Elcano expedition.  During this time, the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon organized many events and cultural activities with the goal of raising awareness about the Philippines in Portugal resulting in stronger people-to-people relations and institutional linkages.  

The Exhibition, Os Locais E Culturas Da Viagem De Magalhaes, located at the Parque BB King in Sabrosa, Portugal is open to the public.  It is the only museum in Portugal dedicated to the voyage and legacy of Ferdinand Magellan from 1519 to 1521.