Cultural preservation, valuing IKSP center on PAMANA for National Heritage Month 2025

With the rise of issues that have severely impacted the cultural norms, values, social structures, and practices of present-day tribes in Mindanao, the Bachelor of Arts in History program of Mindanao State University General Santos City (MSU-GSC) spearheaded “PAMANA: Sandigan ng Kasalukuyan, Pundasyon ng Kinabukasan” on April 30.

As part of National Heritage Month 2025, the event brought together speakers who addressed issues surrounding historical and cultural identity, indigenous recognition, safeguarding cultural heritage in an ever-changing world, and strengthening local communities in Mindanao by offering insightful perspectives on inherent cultures and traditions.

© Ashley Louisa Loyloy

Islamization and Foreign Influence 

In his lecture, Mr. Aaron-Jeff Dela Cruz Usman shed light on Mindanao's history of Islamization, asserting that Islamic communities thrived long before Spanish colonization.

He debunked the notion of Islam being spread by force, stating, “Hindi kailanman ginamit ang espada upang maipakilala ang Islam sa ating bayan.”

Usman emphasized that Mindanao's Islamic heritage was shaped by interactions with earlier civilizations across the region, not solely by Middle Eastern influences.

“The Islamization, the Muslims, and Islamic religion that we know of now is not actually Arabic. But it is shaped by the previous civilizations that had actually permeated here in Mindanao and the rest of the country,” he explained, citing the arrival of Tuan Masha'ika in Sulu in 1270 as evidence of Islam's early presence.

He also explored the concept of Ma‘rifa, attained through introspection, and highlighted the blended nature of Filipino culture, influenced by Hindu-Buddhist civilizations and evident in traditions like Pangalay and Sagayan dances, as well as the pagoda-like origins of early mosques.

Usman further noted that pre-colonial Islamic communities possessed established systems of law and governance under leaders like Sharif Kabungsuan and Sharif ul-Hashim.

In a warning to the youth, Usman stressed the importance of remembering their own culture amidst foreign influences.

“Kapag puro K-pop ang pinapakinggan mo, nalilimutan mo na ang sarili mong pagkatao,” he remarked.

He concluded by urging students to reclaim their narrative: “Hangga’t hindi natutong magsulat ang leon, ang kasaysayan ay laging papabor sa mangangaso.”

Valuing IKSP

Ms. Maricel S. Kasaligan, another speaker, shared her experiences advocating for recognition and protection of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP), highlighting the crucial role of cultural heritage in community resilience. 

She stated that preserving IKSP is an effort to safeguard cultural heritage for the future generation.  

"Ito yung unang wisdom ng ating mga katutubo noon of which they are connected to our mother earth, and sila yung mga, kumbaga unang library ng mga katutubo,” she said.

Kasaligan also explained that IKSP is an integral part of the development process of local communities, which exist to protect and give importance in preserving cultural knowledge. 

"Importante talaga, ito yung pagkakumaga ang pundasyon ng ating kaalaman, ang IKSP is a four letter siya, pero it compasses siya ng maraming dapat pag-usapan sa kaalamang katutubo," Kasaligan added.  

Kasaligan also addressed the critical issue of researchers and consent. She emphasized that exploiting indigenous knowledge without prior informed consent, particularly through social media, is a significant problem.

“Ito yung pinaka-problema natin ngayon, pag nag-take advantage tayo sa social media without prior informed consent. Walang consent sa mga elders, sa mga leaders," she emphasized.

She further explained that the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 is in place to safeguard the rights of all indigenous peoples in the Philippines, as recognized by international committees.

Finally, Kasaligan stressed that the ownership and custody of indigenous knowledge belong to the elders, requiring proper authorization for its use and dissemination.

Transmitting Cultural Traditions

Mr. Karlo Antonio Galay David showcased the power of artistic representation in reliving and transmitting cultural traditions, emphasizing the role of the arts in  speaking intergenerational languages and cultural identity.

He emphasized that while heritage and contemporary art often seem separate, they are connected through creative interpretation.  

“I see it as a weapon, of which we can see into different perspective, different lifestyles, and different stories as a settler” he said, urging that heritage should be made relevant in everyday life rather than merely preserved.  

Speaking as a settler in Mindanao, he also highlighted the complexity of settler identity in contrast to Moro and Indigenous Peoples.  

“Si settler, under construction pa ang ating identity at heritage, and this is where contemporary art plays a role,” he added.

He encouraged students and communities to recognize everyday elements—such as old homes, clothing, and recipes—as forms of heritage.  

“May mga family recipes tayo na hindi natin na-realize heritage pala, may mga artwork tayo na di natin alam existed pala, may mga written documents pala na hindi na acknowledged, at marami pang iba,” he noted.

David proposed that when heritage seems absent, it can be actively created, emphasizing the continuous link between art, heritage, and history.

Awakening of Heritage Preservation 

Throughout the lectures, each student was equipped with knowledge and wisdom in cultural preservation and IKSP, where every speaker transpires the power of culture in representing the rich and bold culture of Mindanao.

With the supervision of BA History faculty and staff, the National Heritage Month 2025 celebrated with answered queries regarding cultural heritage preservation.