The closing ceremony of National Heritage Month (NHM) was officially held at the Hotel St. Ellis Function Hall in Legazpi City, Albay, on May 31, 2025. Celebrated every May pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 439, NHM aims to promote awareness, respect, and appreciation of the Philippines’ rich cultural and historical heritage.
(From left to right: National Committee on Historical Research (NCHR) Secretary Dr. George Emmanuel Ragrag, Ph.D., Borrinaga, National Committee on Art Galleries (NCAG) Head Maria Teresa Rayos Del Sol, National Committee on Museums (NCOM) Head Dr. Jose Eleazar Bersales Ph.D., National Committee on Monuments and Sites (NCMS) Head Dr. Ivan Anthony S. Henares, Ph.D., National Committee on Archives (NCA) Head Emma C. Muñoz-Rey, National Committee on Libraries and Information Services (NCLIS) ExeCon Member Lilia Echiverri pose for a photo at the National Heritage Month Closing Ceremony in Legazpi, Albay on May 31, 2025) |
Gracing the ceremony were National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chair Victorino Mapa Manalo, CESE and Executive Director Eric B. Zerrudo, Ph.D.
“As we close this year’s celebration, let us carry with us the stories we’ve heard, the knowledge we’ve gained, and the connections we’ve nurtured. May this celebration continue to inspire in each of us a stronger appreciation and commitment to safeguarding our traditions, as well as a shared vision of empowering communities through heritage,” Chair Manalo said.
He also emphasized the significance of the occasion, noting that it was rare for both him and Dr. Zerrudo to attend the same out-of-town event, underscoring the importance of the NHM closing ceremony for culture bearers across the country.
Also in attendance is Subcommission on Cultural Heritage Commissioner Ivan Henares of the (SCH) together with representatives of NCCA’s national committees under SCH: Dr. George Emmanuel Ragrag, Ph.D., Secretary of the National Committee on Historical Research (NCHR); Maria Teresa Rayos Del Sol, Head of the National Committee on Art Galleries (NCAG); Dr. Jose Eleazar Bersales, Ph.D., Head of the National Committee on Museums (NCOM); Dr. Ivan Anthony S. Henares, Ph.D., Head of the National Committee on Monuments and Sites (NCMS); Emma C. Muñoz-Rey, Head of the National Committee on Archives (NCA); and Lilia Echiverri, Executive Council Member of the National Committee on Libraries and Information Services (NCLIS). These committee representatives flew to Bicol to join the celebration.
Throughout the month, various activities were held nationwide, including exhibits, forums, workshops, and heritage tours. A highlight was the Montalban Heritage Walk and “Patok” Jeepney Tour, conducted just a day before the ceremony.
Legazpi City Mayor Hon. Atty. Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr. welcomed the attendees and thanked the NCCA for its collaboration with the local government. He also recognized the presence of artists from the different provinces of the Bicol Region—Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.
Department of Tourism Region V Director Herbie B. Aguas also delivered a message of support. “Kahit anong ganda ng lugar, kahit anong ganda ng tanawin, kahit anong training namin sa mga tourism workers, kung wala pong magandang kwento, kung wala pong magandang kasaysayan ng isang lugar, hindi po ‘yon pupuntahan ng mga tao. Kaya ngayon po dito, humihingi po ako ng tulong sa inyo… bawat isa sa inyo ay tourism ambassador. Every one of you has a story to tell, and every one of you has a story about being Filipino,” Aguas said.
This year’s NHM focused on capacity-building initiatives aimed at helping communities create and sustain innovative preservation strategies. In his speech, NCMS Head Dr. Henares advocated for the continuous rollout of such initiatives beyond May.
“Pag-uusapan namin siguro paano gumawa ng mga Massive Open Online Courses, ‘yong tiyatawag po ng MOOC para sa mga iba’t ibang committee po namin sa Subcommission on Cultural Heritage para ‘yong mga training na ginagawa po namin in person ay pwede po ma-access ng maraming tao sa iba’t ibang bahagi po ng Pilipinas. We want to make this more accessible and expand the appreciation of our diverse heritage here in the Philippines,” Dr. Henares said.
Echoing this, NCCA Executive Director Dr. Zerrudo concluded:
“As we end this year’s celebration, let us remember: the work of heritage does not end today. It continues every time we teach our children our native tongue, every time we protect a historic site, every time we honor our ancestors by living with integrity and compassion.”
(Artists from the Bicol Region namely Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon pose for a photo during the National Heritage Month Closing Ceremony at the Hotel St. Ellis Function Hall in Legazpi, Albay on May 31, 2025) |
(Young cultural dancers from the Gogon High School – Special Program for the Arts (SPA) perform at the Hotel St. Ellis Function Hall during the National Heritage Month Closing Ceremony in Legazpi, Albay on May 31, 2025) |
The event concluded with the awarding of certificates to participating artists, followed by a folk dance performance by the Gogon High School – Special Program for the Arts (SPA). Guests were later treated to a guided tour of the Museo de Legazpi, curated by Tess Pasa, and invited to witness the Flores de Mayo parade.
For details on this press release, contact Mr. Rene S. Napeñas, Head, Public Affairs and Information Office, through pais@ncca.gov.ph or 0945 788 5698. Visit www.ncca.gov.ph and the Facebook page @NCCAOfficial.
