UP Visayas hosts first inception meeting for Panay and Guimaras Cultural Mapping

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UP Visayas hosted the project briefing for the two-year Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras (CMPG) during the first inception meeting held at the OICA Conference Room of the UPV Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage, Iloilo City campus on March 09, 2023.

The meeting involved focal persons from various SUCs, LGUs, Tourism offices, DepEd, NCCA, DENR, NCIP, and other stakeholders.  The meeting was on a hybrid mode with other participants attending the event through zoom.

Ms. Anna Razel Ramirez, Program Manager of CMPG, discussed the development process of CMPG as a sequel to the recently capped Cultural Mapping of Antique project.  Her discussion was complemented by Prof. Frances Anthea Redison, Co-program Manager and Director of Center for West Visayan Studies, as she outlined the objectives and overall activities of CMPG.

The following representatives were in attendance: Pres. Lilian Parreño and Dr. Bernardo Cagasan (Guimaras State University); Prof. Niño Legaspi, Prof. Eric De la Vega, Ms. Dyna Remaneses and Prof. Ramon Emmanuel Jr. (Iloilo Science and Technology University); Prof. Rector John Latoza (Capiz State University), Prof. Joyce Christine Colon (West Visayas State University); Dr. Herman Lagon and Prof. Genevieve Santorio-Palmares (Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology); Prof. Rowena Cabrillos and Prof. Jocelyn Morales (University of Antique); Dr. Arvin Kim Arnilla and Prof. Juvy Casimero (Aklan State University), Dr. Mary Hazel Vivien Pineda (Dep-Ed, Region VI); Arch. Wilfredo Sy Jr. (NCCA); Mr. Anthony Colmo (Capiz Tourism Office), Ms. Shella Mae Duronio (Capiz Provincial Office); Mr. Bombette Marin (Iloilo Province Tourism Office).

Participating also were Mr. Florence King Erlano (Iloilo City Tourism Office); Arch. Regina Gregorio (Office of City Architect, Iloilo City); Ms. Roselle Ruiz (Aklan Tourism Office), Ms. Rochelle Ann Fernandez and Ms. Joylene De Asis (Guimaras Planning and Knowledge Management); Ms. Ma. Christine Gianzon (DILG Region 6); Atty. Princess May Alcarde-Oral (National Commission on Indigenous Peoples); Ms. Marti Caduada, and Dr. Eleanore Dagala (DepEd-Antique).

Joining the UPV team were Dr. Aurora Baustisa, Prof. Jose Taton, Jr. Mr. Sashah Dioso, Prof. Julie Prescott, Mr. Ramon Ramirez, Ms. Michelle Villavert and Ms. Teresita Quezon.

A leveling of the roles of the SUCs and LGUs and institutional coordination between the agencies in accordance with the target setting of CMPG are among the meeting highlights.  Other themes such as the ethics protocol, FPIC, and draft agreements for the Memorandum of Agreement were also discussed.

Leaning towards the framework of the Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS), the project aims to capture the heritage icons of Panay and Guimaras to foster cultural heritage protection.  In this endeavor, UP Visayas, as the head implementing agency, will work closely with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to expand the practices of local cultural mapping to introduce new modalities for a more participatory approach.  The drafting of the Memorandum of Agreement will follow in the following weeks.

The Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras project is a cultural advocacy project of Senate President Pro Tempore Loren B. Legarda to further enhance preservation initiatives of the cultural assets and natural heritage of Philippine communities through inclusive participation. It will be implemented by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension under Dr. Harold M. Monteclaro. (CMPG and IPO)