RPH

1. What are the main functions or task of the NHCP?

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is an arm of our

government responsible for culture and development. For me, the NHCP envisions a Filipino
society in which our citizens are informed about our history, love our country, and are proud and
patriotic of our own unique and diverse cultural heritage. It was founded in 1972 as the National
Historical Institute in order to consolidate the varied duties of several historical institutions. By
virtue of R.A.10086, the NHCP is now in charge of the protection and preservation of the
country's historical legacy. According to its official website, its major thrusts include an
ambitious cultural program on historical studies, curatorial works, architectural conservation,
Philippine heraldry, historical information dissemination activities, and restoration and
preservation of relics and memorabilia of heroes and other renowned Filipinos.

According to the Asia and Europe Foundation (ASEF), the purpose of the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is to promote Philippine history and cultural
heritage via research, dissemination, conservation, site management, and heraldic work. It seeks
to promote knowledge and appreciation of our heroes' and other great Filipinos' honorable
actions and ideas, to foster pride in the Filipino race, and to reignite the Filipino spirit via
historical lessons. The NHCP is responsible for the protection and preservation of the country's
historical legacy, as specified in Republic Act No. 10086. Its major thrusts include an ambitious
cultural program focusing on historical studies, curatorial work, architectural conservation,
Philippine heraldry, historical information dissemination activities, and the restoration and
preservation of relics and memorabilia of heroes and other renowned Filipinos. Furthermore, the
NHCP is mandated to conduct research and some publication of and about our country's
historical works, to provide educational activities on historical events and personalities, to
restore, preserve, and conserve movable and immovable objects of historical value, and to
implement the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
 What Historic sites and landmarks recognized by the NHCP have you visited? What
do they reveal about our historical and/or cultural past?

Concerning the various historic sites and landmarks recognized by the NHCP that I have
already visited, I would say that I only visited the Abucay Church, which is located in the
historically significant province of Bataan, which is also my birthplace because I was born in
Poblacion, Mariveles, Bataan. My parents took me there when I was around 5 years old since we
were taking one final little excursion to visit the province of Bataan before shifting here in
Albay. The Abucay Church of Historical Landmark, also known as the Saint Dominic Parish
Church, is a church in Abucay, Bataan. And the parish was founded in 1587, and it was overseen
by several Dominican Missionary Friars in 1588. It is dedicated to Saint Dominic of Guzman.

The architectural style and type are Baroque Renaissance church building architecture with
an eccentric façade built of bricks, sands, stones, gravel, cement, steel, and concrete materials.
And I would argue that the Abucay Church is a depiction and still standing testimony to the
killing of hundreds of Filipinos and Spaniards by Dutch invaders on our land on June 23, 1647. It
also witnessed the establishment of one of the earliest Filipino printing presses in our nation.

2. Have you been to the National Museum? What can you find in the National Museum
Complex?

To be honest, I’ve never been in a museum, even in the National Museum. But I can say that
we can find in the National Museum Complex different compositions of museums such as the
National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Museum of
Natural History and of course the home of the National Museum of the Philippines. It is called as
the National Museum Complex because it is designated as the central or main National Museum
and also the other museums. It is also said to oversee number of national museums like what are
stated before in our country. The National Museum Complex has and includes an ethnographic,
anthropological, archaeological, and visual arts collections and even memorabilia in pertaining
the arts and culture development here in our country.

3. Why is visiting historic sites, shrines, landmarks and museums important in the study
of history? How has your previous experience of visiting a specific historic landmark or
museum helped you in the understanding of a historical fact or event?

As a student currently enrolled in a history-related course or subject, I believe it is a very

important and nurturing opportunity for us, especially modern youths of our generation like
myself, who should know the history, background, and origins of specific places, sites, foods,
cultures, ethics, traditions, and so on. And, in my opinion, visiting historic places, shrines,
landmarks, and museums is highly significant in the study of history since it truly ties us to our
past. Visiting historic locations, shrines, landmarks, and museums provides us with a broader
range of extra knowledges, facts, and thoughts about how we identify our origins and how it all
began. Even if we cannot physically and optically view what really happened, I believe that
visiting historic sites, shrines, landmarks, and museums can provide us with a sense of identity, a
sense of historical and cultural vibes, and a closer bridge to see things and reflect on what really
happened a long time ago. And perhaps knowing how to conserve various historical places is a
sign of respect for both ourselves and the location.

The last time I visited a specific historic place was the Daraga Church and Cagsawa Ruin,
which is located in Daraga, Albay. They are the most recent and current places or sites that I
have visited since they are close to my address, which can only be located in my municipality.
And in terms of my experience after visiting these locations, I have truly felt the cultural and
ancient element and vibes of the area as I examine their physical constructions, and I can easily
make a link to myself and understand and investigate why we are the way we are as Daraguenos.

How can educational institutions help further in the preservation of our history and
culture?

The historical places, shrines, landmarks, and museums are the various educational
institutions in connection to learning history since all of them may be fantastic and better sources
of information than what we can see on the internet. Furthermore, viewing things in context may
help us, as students, expand our comprehension of the events and learn more about the
personalities who are directly involved in the events that occurred in certain historical locations.
And I believe that being able to understand and physically see the location may aid us in a very
practical way, especially while we are still students. And let me just add the ancient saying, "To
see is to believe!" "If kids can just view the location and engage with it, they may truly develop
and acquire an in-depth understanding of the region." And if that happens, the kids may be
informed enough about our historical sites to assist us in maintaining our distinct and unique
history and culture, as they will carry on the heritage of today's generation.