Harnessing technology to deliver cultural, historical, and travel information, digital historical markers were installed on the facade of Cebu City’s Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and Magellan’s Cross.
The Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño recently partnered with PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications and InnoPub Media to install these interactive markers at the church and its museum, as well as at the famous landmark across from it.
The markers contain QR codes and NFC chips that mobile users can scan using their phones to access important details on the heritage of the sites.
“With these digital markers, the faithful will have a better understanding and appreciation of our heritage churches,” said Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño spokesperson Rev. Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes OSA.
The initiative is part of a Smart-backed digital tourism and catechism program and is in line with the upcoming celebration of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021.
The digital tourism program features key religious and heritage sites, notable churches, and travel destinations such as nature parks and historic cities.
“Considered the birthplace of Christianity in the country, Cebu and the Basilica will play a very important role in the celebration as this will be the fifth centenary of the arrival of the image of Sto. Niño in the province,” said Smart Visayas-Mindanao public affairs head Maria Jane Paredes.
As part of the program leading to the 2021 celebrations, Smart also recently unveiled interactive tourism markers at Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church in Bantayan, Cebu.
The digital tourism program has also been implemented at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and at heritage churches in Argao, Boljoon, Carcar, Dalaguete, Samboan, Santander, and Sibonga, among other municipalities in the province.