Cultural Mapping Project will feature the best of Panay, Guimaras

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) together with other State Universities and Colleges (SUC) formally launched the two-year Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras (CMPG) project, marked by a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on December 14 at the UPV Iloilo City Campus Little Theater.

Spearheaded by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren B. Legarda, the project serves as a cultural advocacy initiative to further enhance the preservation efforts of cultural assets and natural heritage within Philippine communities through inclusive participation.

In her message as a keynote speaker, Legarda shared the profound impact of culture in defining a people.

She emphasized the invaluable nature of cultural heritage as a crucial asset that must be nurtured in tandem with economic and social development.

Highlighting the allocation of P50 million for the project under the General Appropriations Act of 2023, she said: “Our commitment to cultural awareness and preservation is not merely a task for today; it is an investment in the future.”

“The passage of the Cultural Mapping Law that I authored and sponsored, and the Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras Project that we are launching today are just the first of the many more programs being initiated to encourage every Filipino to embrace our rich culture,” she added.

The CMPG fulfills the mandates of the Republic Act No. 11961, also known as the “Cultural Mapping Law,” which was approved on August 24, 2023. It is “an act strengthening the conservation and protection of Philippine cultural heritage through cultural mapping and enhances the cultural heritage education”

Prof. Martin Genodepa, CMPG project manager, welcomed the guests and delegates expressing appreciation for the collaboration of partner state colleges, local government units (LGUs), and allied agencies, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to ensure the project’s success.

The participating SUCs include University of Antique (UA), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISATU), West Visayas State University (WVSU), Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), Capiz State University (CapSU), Aklan State University (ASU), and Guimaras State University (GSU); and LGUs Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, Guimaras, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan.

Utilizing the Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) model/framework, the CMPG project aims to produce a registry of cultural and natural heritage of all the 103 municipalities or local government units of Panay and Guimaras islands.

The themes, including water bodies, coastal environments, sustainable arts and crafts, forest and biodiversity, environmental rituals and traditions, and significant socio-cultural institutions, are rooted in cultural resiliency and sustainability.

The project seeks to showcase the unique experiences and best practices of the people in these communities.

UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano, in his message, highlighted the participatory nature of the project, stressing the importance of creating space for the voices of communities and addressing the challenge of representation.

“We want to be participatory because in this age we have come to realize that it is crucial to create space so that the voices of our communities can be heard… Our culture is a process of meaning-making. It is fundamental to our identities. As we embark on this initiative, let us grow stronger together,” Camposano said.

Meanwhile, National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) Executive Director Oscar Casasay, emphasized the opportunity to unveil the beauty that arises when diverse communities unite to honor their shared history through the project.

“Today is a significant milestone as we gather to commence another endeavor – the CMPG. This cultural mapping extends beyond being a simple task; it is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and human spirit,” he said in his message delivered by CMPG Research Assistant Michelle Villavert.

The event witnessed the signing of the MOA between UPV, partner SUCs, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Provincial Government of Iloilo.

Other attendees included WVSU University President Dr. Joselito Villaruz and GSU University President Dr. Lilian Daina Parreño, who signed the MOA on behalf of their respective universities.

Also present were Sen. Legarda’s representative, Ms. Marnie Payne, UA Dean of the College of Teacher Education Dr. Grace Pastolero, ASU Director for Research and Development Service Dr. Melba Raga-as, CapSU Director for Research Dr. Leo Andrew Biclar, ISATU Vice President for Research Dr. Carmelo Ambut, ISUFST Director for International Affairs and Linkages, DENR Region VI representative Ms. Liza Marie Cabungcal, Iloilo City Tourism representative Ms. Junel Divinagracia, LGU Guimaras representative Mr. Lino Galea, Philippine Army representative Col. Lennon Babilonia, and Aklan LGU representative Ms. Roselle Ruiz.

A previous MOA signing at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on December 13, 2023, laid the foundation for the collaborative efforts between UPV and partner institutions, reinforcing the commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Panay and Guimaras.