Former NHCP Chair Leads Lecture on Public History in MSU-IIT

by Andrea Ross Sedero 

Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology’s (MSU-IIT) Department of History hosted a lecture on Public History: Challenges and Prospects in the 21st Century, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Emmanuel Franco Calairo, former Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and current Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DLSU-D), on September 9 at the PRISM Lecture Hall.

Dr. Calairo’s discussion was divided into two parts. The first, titled Pagbubuo ng Pambansang Pagkakilanlan: Mga Repleksyon Mula sa Perspektibong Kasaysayan, offered a comprehensive overview of Philippine history where he emphasized the importance of studying history to understand Filipino national identity; covering periods from precolonial times, the arrival of Western influences, Spanish colonialism, resistance movements, the development of national sentiments, the Commonwealth and Japanese occupation, to the post-war era and its impact on the Philippines’ political system.

In the second part, Mga Proseso sa Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayang Lokal ng Pilipinas, Dr. Calairo highlighted the significance of creating an ‘inclusive, sensitive, and just nationalism’ that encompasses all Filipino experiences, stressing the need to integrate Filipino Muslim history in the present Philippine history narrative.

“Papaano mo masasabi na meron ‘yung national identity kung ito ang makikita mong ginagawa ng national government?” he questioned, noting the scarcity of Muslim-related markers, museums, historical sites and structures, workshops, and publications while reviewing NHCP projects from 2010-2020.

With the goal of achieving a 100% combined Christian-Muslim narrative in our current historical landscape by 2030, he presented a proposed 2023-2030 guide he developed while serving as NHCP Chairman this past year, detailing preparations for a comprehensive plan on scholarly activities, commemorative events, and infrastructure development.

“Kung papabayaan natin na hindi ma-document ang past, lalong lalayo ang pagkakataon na marepresent sila, ‘yung contributions nila sa pagbubuo ng ating bansa. Sayang ang colonial resistance at ang mga heroes nating hindi na-identify at naitala sa kasaysayan. Meron tayong kakayahan. Buohin natin ang kasaysayan natin at, eventually, baguhin natin ito [into a] just national narrative, ang Philippine History,” Dr. Calairo stated at the end of his presentation.