National History Month launched in Northern Samar

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The first time for Northern Samar, the launching of the National History Month was held in the province on July 31, 2024, spearheaded by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, in coordination with the Provincial Government of Northern Samar and the University of Eastern Philippines, alongside the Commemorative Conference of the 350th Death Anniversary of Fr. Francisco Ignacio Alcina, SJ held at the University of Eastern Philippine Centennial Hall.

Anchored on the theme "Salaysay ng Bayan, Saysay ng Bansa" (Stories of the People, Essence of the Nation), the celebration of the History Month gives importance to our rich local histories which play a crucial role as they constitute to making our national history.

The launching ceremony was graced by Prof. Regalado Trota Jose Jr., Chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Dr. Rolando O. Borrinaga, a retired professor of UP Manila and Lifetime Member of the Philippine National Historical Society, NHCP Commissioners Dr. Maria Eloisa De Castro and Dr. Francis M. Navarro, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. personnel, Board Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Ms. Josette Doctor, Chief Tourism Operations Officer and UEP President Dr. Cherry I. Ultra.

On that very same day, as a way of commemorating the death anniversary of Fr. Alcina, a commemorative conference was held were various lectures and talks were conducted about the life and works Fr. Alcina about the province. Mr. Jhonil C. Bajado of Samar State University in Catbalogan had a talk on Babayi nga Bulawanon: The Bisayan Woman according the Fr. Alcina, while Mr. Manuelito S. Uy of Catbalogan National Comprehensive High School had a lecture on The Residencia de Catbalogan in the Context of Fr. Alcina's Historia de las indias de Bisayas.

Additionally, Alcina's Historia and the Ancient Religion of the Bisayans was discussed by Dr. George Emmanuel R. Borrinaga of University of San Carlos in Cebu, Bulawanong Tahom: The Aesthetics Lives of Precolonial Visayans in Alcina's Historia was tackled by Mr. Jay Nathan T. Jore of UP Cebu, while Dr. Francisco M. Navarro of Ateneo de Manila University shared meaningful insights on Looking into the Alcina Manuscripts: Using Paleography as a tool for understanding documentation.

The unveiling of Fr. Alcina’s portrait by Eastern Samat artist Mel Donato Amasa was also done during the event.

The Provincial Government of Northern Samar under the administration of Governor Edwin Ongchuan is one with the nation in celebrating the National History Month.

Let us continue to value our history as it forms a big part in our identity as Nortehanons and as Filipinos.