In line with the Recoletos de Cebu at 400 celebration, a 366-page book documenting the Recollect missionary presence in Cebu was launched on February 16.
The book is entitled History of Augustinian Recollects in Cebu Since 1621: Studies and Sources. It is compiled and edited by Professor Emmanuel Luis Romanillos who has a licentiate in Church History and finished magna cum laude from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Moreover, he has written over twenty books.
Included in the newly-launched book are accounts detailing the history of the Augustinian Recollects in Cebu City, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Talisay City, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity, and former Augustinian Recollect parishes and curates of northeastern Cebu, Maripipi, and Camotes Islands.
Romanillos expressed that it is the “hardest book” that he has written this far. He cited that it was challenging to finish it because he can no longer see with his left eye. Moreover, it was harder to coordinate in time of the pandemic.
“At last, after five years of painstaking research, collecting photos/archival sources, translation, writing, editing, and proofreading, including two years amid the Covid-19 pandemic, here’s the 336-page book in full color you’ve been waiting for,” he wrote in a public social media post.
Recoletos de Cebu at 400 Historical Committee Chair Le Roy Sarchez shared that one of the reasons for having this book is to establish how the love or Caritas of the Recollects with Cebu started.
“The undying love of the Recollects with Cebu can also be best immortalized through their history of missionary works in the ecclesiastical territories in the then Diocese of Cebu beginning in 1621,” he said.
Sarchez and Romanillos have been working closely to produce and print the book in time for the year-long celebration of 400 years of Recollect missionary presence in Cebu.
In his speech, overall event chair and University President Rev. Fr. Cristopher Maspara, OAR pointed out that the launching of the book is an opportunity to examine history and values as a community.
“This book must be treated like a treasure. This book, like a museum, is a repository of valuable stories and memories,” he said.
He also congratulated Romanillos because his book will be his legacy and contribution to Philippine history and propagating faith in the world.
Aside from the University’s official Facebook and Youtube channel, the book launching event was also streamed live on the pages of the Cultural and Historical Affairs Office of Cebu City Government, Our Lady of Consolation Parish-Recoletos de Laray, University of San Jose-Recoletos Balamban Campus, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish-Recoletos, and Province of St. Ezekiel.
The said book is the inaugural product available on USJ-R’s first online store through Lazada. For the month of February 2022 only, the promo price is P450 for the softbound and P600 for the hardbound. the regular prices will be announced at a later date.
Written by Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad
