The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) mourns the passing of Ms. Emelita Verano Almosara yesterday, August 11, due to cardiac arrest and breast cancer. Almosara served as Executive Director of the NCCA from March 2012 to December 2013.
Most of her public service was dedicated to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) where she joined (then National Historical Institute) in 1975, rising from the ranks to serve as Deputy Executive Director II for 16 years. She also became acting Executive Director and Officer-In-Charge for several occasions.
She also had a long history with the NCCA, starting when the agency was the Presidential Commission for Culture and the Arts (PCCA), assisting then National Historical Institute Chairman Dr. Serafin D. Quiason as a member of the transition committee creating the NCCA from 1987 to 1992. At the NCCA, she became a member of the National Committee on Archives from 1988 to 1994; secretary of the National Committee on Monuments and Sites from 1990 to 2001; Head of the National Committee on Museums for two terms from 1995 to 2001; alternate Vice Head of the Subcommission on Cultural Heritage from 1998 to 2001; member of the Executive Council; and member of the National Advisory Board from 1998 to 2001, among others.
As an NCCA official, she represented the agency in international events, eventually becoming a member of the advisory committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) from 1996 to 2000; and secretary of the International Committee of Museums Asia-Pacific. Additionally, she was also president of the Philippine Association of Museums, Inc. from 1992 to 1997; executive secretary of the Philippine History Foundation from 1999 to 2009; and a member of the board of directors of the Society of Filipino Archivists from 1992 to 1994.
Almosara’s almost 40 years in government service were primarily focused in the areas of management and operations of public historic sites and structures, museum work, and human resource management.
“Culture and the arts serve as the moving spirit in nation-building. They are important components required for any country to progress. As a catalyst, the role of arts and culture is to provide a means to uplift values and social transformation in our society,” she said.
The NCCA is indebted to Almosara’s dedication and service. Her remains lie in state at the Jacinto Room of La Funeraria Paz – Sucat, Parañaque (inside Manila Memorial Park) starting at 2 pm on Sunday. Interment will be on August 16 (Thursday morning), time to be confirmed.
© Public Affairs and Information Section (PAIS)
