BOHOL hosts this Wednesday some 150 youth participants to the ‘Urdaneta Camp and Cruise’ which brings them to Bohol from Cebu.
The camp and cruise, one set to introduce to the youth the person of the Spanish navigator, Augustinian missionary Fray Andres Urdaneta, builder and responsible for spreading Christianity in the Visayas.
Urdaneta, along with his cousin captain Miguel Lopez de Lagaspi landed in Cebu on April 28, 1565. That fateful day, Urdaneta rediscovered the image of the Santo Nino in a hut in Cebu, which later would be enthroned in the Basilica Minore de Santo Nino de Cebu.
In honor of his contributions to the Philippines and the world, the Augustinians in the Philippines, the Urdaneta 500 Cebu and the Philippines as well as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts brings the camp and cruise for the country’s future leaders.
The camp and cruise would allow the youth to know the great man and emulate his leadership skills and values, says organizers.
The activity forms part of the 5th centenary celebration of Urdaneta’s coming to the Visayas and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has issued Proclamation 1423 recognizing the man’s substantial contribution to history and culture and nodded to the 5th centenary celebration.
Urdaneta, along with his cousin Miguel Lopez de Legazpi came to the Philippines leading the expedition sent by King Phillip II of Spain. Both sailed from Spain in November of 1564 with a fleet led by flagship Capitana along with San Pedro, San Pablo and the smaller tenders San Juan and San Lucas.
The expedition at one time landed in Bohol in March 25, 1565 where Fray Urdaneta stood as witness to the blood compact between his cousin captain Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and a local chieftain Sikatuna.
While in Bohol, the cruise participants visit Baclayon Church, the shores of Loay where Legaspi’s fleet once replenished their provisions, the old town of Loboc to hear the singing and musical groups there and the Chocolate Hills.
The group also goes to PuntaCruz in Maribojoc, to watch the Sandugo Reenactment and a special show of the Tawag sa Bantayan. (rachiu/PIA)
