My fourth article in Manila Times
Friday, 10 December 2010
31st Conference on National and Local History
By Bryan Noel Lazaro
The Philippine National Historical Society, the oldest voluntary professional organization on the study and research in Philippine history, held its 31st National Conference on Local and National History, from October 21 to 23 at the Family Country Hotel, General Santos City.
This year’s theme, “Towards a National History: Mindanao and Sulu Local History in the context of National History,” sought to look at the researches and writings about Mindanao, Sulu and other regions; situate these studies in the context of national history; identify gaps that can be addressed by future or further researches; and encourage systematic studies on local and national history.
The participants consisted of elementary and secondary teachers/administrators, college professors, history major students and even high school students.
Papers in the three-day conference included the following:
Conference sessions began with Dr. Calbi Asain of Mindanao State University-Sulu with his paper, The Historiography of Mindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi: At the Crossroads. His paper emphasized on the need to update our national history to acknowledge the part of Mindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in our historical chronicles. On the archaeological side, Greg Hontiveros of the Butuan City Historical and Cultural Foundation presented Balangay: Re-launching an Ancient Discovery. His paper dealt with recent developments in the ongoing study on the Balangay.
The second session focused on migration. Rudy Rodil of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology delivered his paper, Agricultural Colonies sa Pikit-Pagalungan. He traced one of the roots of migration among the peoples from Luzon and Visayas to Mindanao, particularly in the outskirts of General Santos City. Dr. Domingo Non of Mindanao State University-General Santos City, on the other hand, discussed the migration of Sangil from Indonesia to Mindanao, with his paper, The Sangil Odyssey in Southern Philippines.
For the third session, two faculty members of Mindanao State University-General Santos City gave more personality to the face of Mindanao. Marilyn Duran gave faces to a number of Filipinos from Luzon and Visayas, who were exiled in Mindanao during the Spanish Occupation, with his paper, Ang Deportado ng Mindanaw sa Panahon ng Rebolusyon 1896. Dr. Andrea Campado shared how General Santos City grew from its simple beginnings to what it is today, with her paper, General Santos City of Southern Mindanao: From a Frontier Settlement to a Booming City in the South, 1939-2000.
Day 2 sessions began with the papers of Dr. Mario Aguja and Dr. Prescillano Campado on Mindanao peace process. Both presenters were from Mindanao State University-General Santos City. Dr. Aguja delivered his paper, The Mindanao Peace Process and ODA: Construction, Evolution, and Challenges. A Dr. Campado, on the other hand, read his paper entitled, The Odyssey to the Quest for Peace in Mindanao: Historic Moments, Conjunctures, Evolution and Challenges.
Before diverting away from topics on Mindanao, Dr. Violeta Ignacio of the University of the Philippines-Pampanga gave faces to the American soldiers who sought refuge in Mindanao and helped Filipinos fight against the Japanese, with her paper, American Guerilla Life in Mindanao. With respect to the objectives of the conference, Dr. Maria Nela Florendo of the University of the Philippines-Baguio shared her paper, In Search of a Regional History, Teaching and Researching in Northern Luzon. Her paper encouraged scholars to engage in regional history researches. She also gave the teachers an idea to use regional history as an approach in teaching national history.
The last two sessions of the conference were allotted for papers, which were not about Mindanao. Dr. Rolando Borrinaga of the University of the Philippines in Palo, Leyte began with his paper, The Calatagan Pot: A National Treasure with Bisayan Inscription. He disclosed his recent findings about the inscription of the pot unearthed in Calatagan, Batangas. Borrinaga revealed that based on his study, the inscription is of Bisayan language and provides the outline of a three-stage monologue, presumably used by babaylan during mortuary rituals. Dr. Earl Jude Paul Cleope of Silliman University talked next with his paper, Negros Island and the Wave Riders: A Maritime History. Cleope discussed the invasion of Moro wave riders in Visayas, particularly in Negros Island in early 19th century.
Digna Apilado of the University of the Philippines-Diliman discussed the impact of Spanish forces in Ilocos with her paper, Spanish Colonial Rule, Environmental Change, and a Regional Work Ethos in the Ilocos, 16t—19th Centuries. Lastly, Lorelei DC de Viana of Far Eastern University presented her paper, Public Health in the Philippines: Smallpox Vaccination in 19th Century Manila.
Book Launching and Lakbay Aral
To cap the last day of the sessions, Dr. Bernardita Churchill took the opportunity to acknowledge the participants and co-organizers for a fruitful exchange of knowledge about history and launch volume 56 of the Journal of History (Towards a National History: Local History in the Context of National History).
On the third day, host Mindanao State University—General Santos City arranged a discretionary tour for the participants. The participants had a choice of tour to Maitum or to Lake Sebu. Maitum is known as the site where very old cave artifacts and ancient burial jars were discovered. The Ayub Cave and the Sagel Cave in Maitum have been declared by the National Historical Institute as national historical sites. Lake Sebu, on the other hand, is a natural lake in South Cotabato, which is considered as one of the country’s most important watersheds.
Here's the link: 31st Conference on National and Local History
31st Conference on National and Local History
By Bryan Noel Lazaro
The Philippine National Historical Society, the oldest voluntary professional organization on the study and research in Philippine history, held its 31st National Conference on Local and National History, from October 21 to 23 at the Family Country Hotel, General Santos City.
This year’s theme, “Towards a National History: Mindanao and Sulu Local History in the context of National History,” sought to look at the researches and writings about Mindanao, Sulu and other regions; situate these studies in the context of national history; identify gaps that can be addressed by future or further researches; and encourage systematic studies on local and national history.
The participants consisted of elementary and secondary teachers/administrators, college professors, history major students and even high school students.
Papers in the three-day conference included the following:
Conference sessions began with Dr. Calbi Asain of Mindanao State University-Sulu with his paper, The Historiography of Mindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi: At the Crossroads. His paper emphasized on the need to update our national history to acknowledge the part of Mindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in our historical chronicles. On the archaeological side, Greg Hontiveros of the Butuan City Historical and Cultural Foundation presented Balangay: Re-launching an Ancient Discovery. His paper dealt with recent developments in the ongoing study on the Balangay.
The second session focused on migration. Rudy Rodil of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology delivered his paper, Agricultural Colonies sa Pikit-Pagalungan. He traced one of the roots of migration among the peoples from Luzon and Visayas to Mindanao, particularly in the outskirts of General Santos City. Dr. Domingo Non of Mindanao State University-General Santos City, on the other hand, discussed the migration of Sangil from Indonesia to Mindanao, with his paper, The Sangil Odyssey in Southern Philippines.
For the third session, two faculty members of Mindanao State University-General Santos City gave more personality to the face of Mindanao. Marilyn Duran gave faces to a number of Filipinos from Luzon and Visayas, who were exiled in Mindanao during the Spanish Occupation, with his paper, Ang Deportado ng Mindanaw sa Panahon ng Rebolusyon 1896. Dr. Andrea Campado shared how General Santos City grew from its simple beginnings to what it is today, with her paper, General Santos City of Southern Mindanao: From a Frontier Settlement to a Booming City in the South, 1939-2000.
Day 2 sessions began with the papers of Dr. Mario Aguja and Dr. Prescillano Campado on Mindanao peace process. Both presenters were from Mindanao State University-General Santos City. Dr. Aguja delivered his paper, The Mindanao Peace Process and ODA: Construction, Evolution, and Challenges. A Dr. Campado, on the other hand, read his paper entitled, The Odyssey to the Quest for Peace in Mindanao: Historic Moments, Conjunctures, Evolution and Challenges.
Before diverting away from topics on Mindanao, Dr. Violeta Ignacio of the University of the Philippines-Pampanga gave faces to the American soldiers who sought refuge in Mindanao and helped Filipinos fight against the Japanese, with her paper, American Guerilla Life in Mindanao. With respect to the objectives of the conference, Dr. Maria Nela Florendo of the University of the Philippines-Baguio shared her paper, In Search of a Regional History, Teaching and Researching in Northern Luzon. Her paper encouraged scholars to engage in regional history researches. She also gave the teachers an idea to use regional history as an approach in teaching national history.
The last two sessions of the conference were allotted for papers, which were not about Mindanao. Dr. Rolando Borrinaga of the University of the Philippines in Palo, Leyte began with his paper, The Calatagan Pot: A National Treasure with Bisayan Inscription. He disclosed his recent findings about the inscription of the pot unearthed in Calatagan, Batangas. Borrinaga revealed that based on his study, the inscription is of Bisayan language and provides the outline of a three-stage monologue, presumably used by babaylan during mortuary rituals. Dr. Earl Jude Paul Cleope of Silliman University talked next with his paper, Negros Island and the Wave Riders: A Maritime History. Cleope discussed the invasion of Moro wave riders in Visayas, particularly in Negros Island in early 19th century.
Digna Apilado of the University of the Philippines-Diliman discussed the impact of Spanish forces in Ilocos with her paper, Spanish Colonial Rule, Environmental Change, and a Regional Work Ethos in the Ilocos, 16t—19th Centuries. Lastly, Lorelei DC de Viana of Far Eastern University presented her paper, Public Health in the Philippines: Smallpox Vaccination in 19th Century Manila.
Book Launching and Lakbay Aral
To cap the last day of the sessions, Dr. Bernardita Churchill took the opportunity to acknowledge the participants and co-organizers for a fruitful exchange of knowledge about history and launch volume 56 of the Journal of History (Towards a National History: Local History in the Context of National History).
On the third day, host Mindanao State University—General Santos City arranged a discretionary tour for the participants. The participants had a choice of tour to Maitum or to Lake Sebu. Maitum is known as the site where very old cave artifacts and ancient burial jars were discovered. The Ayub Cave and the Sagel Cave in Maitum have been declared by the National Historical Institute as national historical sites. Lake Sebu, on the other hand, is a natural lake in South Cotabato, which is considered as one of the country’s most important watersheds.
Here's the link: 31st Conference on National and Local History
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