The National Museum has declared the ?Camarin de la Virgen? of the Nuestra Se?ora de los Desamparados Parish (Our Lady of the Abandoned) in Sta. Ana district as a national cultural treasure.

Fr. Elias Manlangit, OFM, parish priest, and Philip Escudero, president of the Cofradia de Nuestra Se?ora de los Desamparados received the certificate of declaration during a concelebrated mass with Fr. Baltazar Obico, OFM, minister provincial, as main celebrant assisted by Fr. Femilou Gutay, OFM and Fr. Manlangit.

The ?Camarin? is the ?dressing room? of the Virgin when her vestments are changed for the observance of the locality?s fiesta on May 12 and other special occasions.

A rich cultural heritage, the ceiling of said Camarin is covered with 11 large paintings on wood depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus. A restoration project to start this month has been approved by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts through the initiative of its former chairman, Dr. Jaime Laya.

Group pilgrimages to Our Lady at the Camarin may be arranged through Philip Escudero Jr. at 582-0149.

The Camarin?s status as national treasure is authorized by the museum?s declaration 6-2008 dated Nov. 6, 2008.