LOCAL CULTURAL MAPPING FACILITATOR’S DISCUSSION GUIDE

Topics/Sub-Topics Time
Allotment
I. Defining Culture and Cultural Heritage
A. Culture

 Culture is the main subject matter of anthropology. British

anthropologist, Sir Edward Tylor, in his book Primitive Culture
presented a seminal definition:
“Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief,
arts, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits
acquired by man as a member of society” (Tylor 1871/1958, p.1).

With this definition, attention must be specifically focused on the

phrase “acquired by man as a member of society” as it suggests
that culture is learned and is not biologically-determined at birth.
This process is called enculturation.
(provide example)

This is just one among the many definitions of culture. For the
purpose of this project, we shall adapt the United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO)
Bangkok definition which states that:
“Culture is….a term used to cover the social structure, languages,
belief systems, institutions, technology, art, food, and traditions of
particular groups of people. The term is used to define a group’s
way of life and its own view of itself and of other groups, as well as
to define the material goods it creates and uses, the skills it has
developed, and the behaviors it transmits to each successive
generation.”

It could be observed that it is heavily influenced by the definition

initially conceptualized by Tylor in the late 19th century. However,
it further extends by acknowledging the idea of self-
determination.
(provide example)

B. Cultural Heritage

(Insert more definition)

It refers to the totality of cultural property preserved and
 developed through time and passed on to posterity (Rule III, Sec.
6(I), National Cultural Heritage Act 2009).

(provide examples)

II. Cultural Mapping: Project Overview

“Cultural Mapping is an approach (or the process) used to identify,

record and use cultural resources and activities for building
communities. Communities map what is important to them” (Cook
and Taylor, 2013).

(insert phases)

III. Cultural Heritage: Laws and Legislations

The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts,
culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate
social progress, and promote total human liberation and development
(Art. II, Sec. 17).

The State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic

evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity
and diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression
(Art. XIV, Sec. 14).

Arts and Letters shall enjoy the patronage of the State. The State shall
conserve, promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural
heritage resources, as well as artistic creations (Art. XIV, Sec. 15).

All the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural
treasure of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State
which may regulate its disposition (Art. XIV, Sec. 16)

National Cultural Heritage Act

Republic Act No. 10066
Signed into law on March 26, 2010.

Objectives of the National Cultural Heritage Act:

1. Protect, preserve, conserve, and promote the nation’s cultural
heritage, its property and histories, and the ethnicity of local
 communities;
2. Establish and strengthen cultural institutions;
3. Protect cultural workers and ensure their professional
development and well-being.
Other Laws Protecting Cultural Heritage
R.A. 4846 (Cultural Properties Protection and Preservation Act)
Presidential Decree No. 260
1. Cultural Heritage/Cultural Property: Categories

Cultural Property shall refer to:

All products of human creativity by which a people and a nation
reveal their identity and;
Natural history specimens and sites
Cultural Property can be:
Public or privately-owned
Movable or immovable
Tangible or Intangible
Tangible Cultural Property
It refers to cultural property with historical, archival,
anthropological, archaeological, artistic and architectural value and
with exceptional or traditional production whether of Philippine
origin or not, including antiques and natural history specimens
with significant value.
Examples:
Mountains, volcanoes, valleys
Forests, caves
Lakes, rivers/falls, beaches
Rice fields, underwater
Plants, animals
Rocks, minerals
Built Heritage (Immovable)
Church, mosque
Government buildings
Schools
Marketplace
Plazas/parks, monuments
Cemeteries, forts, bridges
Houses
Streets/roads
Movable Heritage
Costumes
Weaponry
Religious Items
Furniture/Equipment
 Jewelry
Crafts
Musical Instruments
Work Implements
Personalities
Painting/Artworks
Documents/Books
Memorabilia
Photographs
Categories of cultural property:
1. National Cultural Treasure
A unique cultural property found locally, possessing outstanding
historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is highly
significant and important to the country and nation and officially
declared as such by the pertinent cultural agency [Sec. 3 (bb)].

2. Important Cultural Property

Cultural property having exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical
significance to the Philippines as may be determined by the National
Museum or the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

3. World Heritage Site

A place listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having outstanding universal
value.
Puerto Princesa Subterrenean River National Park
Tubbataha Reefs National Park
Mt. Hamiguitan
Rice Terraces of the Cordillera –a living cultural landscape
Historic Town of Vigan –cultural site
4 Baroque Churches in the Philippines: Paoay in Ilocos Norte, Santa
Maria in Ilocos Sur, Miag-ao in Iloilo, and San Agustin in Manila.
4. National Historical Shrine
5. National Historical Monument
6. National Historical Landmark
Any place, province, city, town and/or any location and structure
which has played a significant and important role in the history of
our country and nation.
Such significance and importance may be cultural, political,
sociological or historical.
Presumed Important Cultural Property:
IV. Cultural Mapping as Research

V. Cultural Mapping: Theory and Practice

Heritage Mapping/Community Involvement/Participatory

Development