Living Narratives: MSU-IIT Channels People’s Stories at PNHS 45th National Conference

by Jessa Mae Lebumfacil


Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology hosted the Philippine National Historical Society (PNHS) 45th National Conference on Local and National History with the theme, “People’s Stories: Inclusive Accounts of Persons & Their Communities” on October 24, 2024, at the university gymnasium.


Together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts – Committee on Historical Research (NCCA-CHR), the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines-Local Historical Committees Network, and the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, the historic convergence sought to unveil narratives of people and their community in the context of diverse historical conditions of the Philippines.


“We are truly honored to host this significant event for the second time,” said MSU-IIT Chancellor Prof. Atty. Alizedney M. Ditucalan on how well-received the developments are by the institution. In his message, he emphasized the presence of AI in education and its ability to process data at an incredible speed yet cautioned on the negative effects of AI on history, pointing out the phenomenon of historical revisionism due to the reliance on AI becoming a serious concern.


Philippine National Historical Society President Dr. Bernadita Churchill noted the warm welcome upon arrival and recounted the brief history of the society. Founded in 1971 to encourage and undertake the study of Philippine history, its milestone at the 45th edition of the conference is a reminder of the fruitful efforts of practitioners of the field throughout the years.


Meanwhile, Dr. Darwin Manubat, City Administrator and representative of Iligan City Mayor Hon. Frederick Siao, emphasized the importance of preserving Iligan’s ancestral homes, sharing plans to further promote history through museum development. “Preserving our past is the key to enriching our future,” he said.


Narsales Salubre Jr., representing Iligan City’s Congressional District Rep. Celso Regencia, also shared on the preservation of history in Iligan, particularly the “Tartanilla” or horse carriage that was once a prevalent mode of transportation in the city. This led to the mission of engraving the culture in Iligan’s vibrant history through fostering knowledge among the youth.


“History is not simply records of events but a tapestry of resources,” stated Hon. Salem Lingasa of the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH), asserting that to understand history, one must also reflect on the past.


The conference’s keynote speaker, Professor Emeritus Sukarno D. Tanggol of MSU-IIT, shared a management perspective—a federal Philippines. In his speech, he presented the characteristics of a federal government and a preview of the initial attempts to transform the country into a federation. One such example was the first Philippine Republic of 1899 where Mabini and Aguinaldo suggested a federal Philippines composed of three states; Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Prof. Sukarno also noted the challenges and issues in implementing a federal government, such as the numbers and boundaries of the state and the need for political and socio-cultural awareness.


Parallel sessions followed and are set to continue for the conference's duration, concluding on October 26, Saturday.


This momentous gathering spearheaded by the institute for the second time offered an opportunity to ground the academe in a myriad of perspectives from the agents of history themselves— the people.