Heritage is a field that continuously innovates to preserve products of our history and human creativity. It has proved that being inspired by the learnings of the past and contributions of culture make people move forward.

As we move on with the new era after the pandemic and the rise of the digital world, the President Marcos Jr. Administration is exerting its full effort to preserve our cultural heritage through both face-to-face events and online activities for National Heritage Month on May 2023.

According to NCCA Chairperson Victorino Mapa Manalo, heritage fosters nationalism and unites the people that is why the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) calls on a whole government and society approach in commemorating National Heritage Month.

This year, the celebration of the National Heritage Month coincides with the 115th Independence Day of the Philippine Republic with the theme "Heritage: Change and Continuity" o “Pamana: Pagpatuloy at Pagbabago”.

The celebration has four (4) topics:

•        Sustainable Heritage Management focuses on the potential of heritage in driving sustainable development and maximizing social and cultural economic benefits;

•        Heritage Science pushes the boundaries in pushing innovative and creative interventions to understand the culture;

•        Intangible Heritage by examining third-generation transmission; and

•        Urban Heritage emphasizes the urgent call for heritage conservation in the 21st century.

The kick-off opening ceremony for National Heritage Month will be on May 2, 2023, in front of Capiz Provincial Capitol.

This is one of the aspects of National Heritage Month where local government units and institutional partners with the NCCA in engaging with cultural mapping activities

The NHM Celebration calls for everyone to experience and be proud of the rich Filipino Heritage with the following Flagship Activities for the whole month of May 2023:

•        Virtual 360 Tour in Museo San Agustin

•        "Contra Mundum" an All star concert on May 6, 2023 via NCCA Facebook Page Live and at the Metropolitan Theater

•        SInupan Kamustahan 3 on May 17 via NCCA Facebook Page live

•        Tirahan ng Kasaysayan: Aguinaldo Shrine Legacy to Philippine Independence on May 18, 2023

•        Capacity Building Management Clinic on  May 26-30, 2023 at San Carlos City, Pangasinan

All of the activities for the NHM 2023 are available both online and onsite.

For more details on National Heritage Month 2023, visit https://ncca.gov.ph/nationalheritagemonth. (MGR /PIA-CPSD)