Paradise Philippines

 A cursory survey indicates that more than six (6) out of ten (10), or sixty percent of the total population of the city are not aware of the historical significance of these sites. A new Monument depicting the unity of the peoples of Davao was erected in the city during the centennial celebration, yet the identified historical sites were not given due recognition and attention.

Moreover, these sites are not even integrated as learning content in local schools and colleges. Likewise, there is very little space in tourism-related brochures and in organized cultural events allocated to promote social consciousness on these cultural and historic sites.

We can also refer to the unsustained concern over the status of the various identified cultural sites in the Sarangani region.

Allow me to stress the last few points I wish to re-iterate as urgent Advocacy Issues and Concerns for the preservation and conservation of our cultural heritage.

A. Lack of Monuments and/or the Abandonment of Monuments and Cultural Sites

We face an ironic situation in the region: on one hand, we boast of the wealth of our cultural heritage and traditions, on the other there is a lack of cultural monuments and limited collection, preservation, and popularization of folk literature, oral history and indigenous wisdom of cultural communities, which are not considered as significant treasures of our local communities.

Three factors perpetuate this situation: poverty in the region, the effects of long years of war, and the destruction of our natural resources—cultural sanctuaries of indigenous peoples, that has contributed much to the loss of our cultural monuments (material and immaterial), the desecration of cultural and spiritual landscapes and consequently, a low level of self-esteem and an impaired racial memory.

B. Limited Appreciation of the Cultural Landscapes and Territories of Indigenous Communities as Heritage Sites and Cultural Symbols, and Limited Support in Integrating Cultural Communities as "Living Cultures" that Enhance Our Creative Diversities

Colleagues in cultural work commonly observe that there is very limited regard and recognition of the non-material cultural symbols of indigenous peoples and inadequate protection and conservation of their sacred places as cultural sanctuaries. The pre-historic heritage sites which are still vivid in the collective memories of indigenous peoples are not given much attention.

A B'laan creation myth narrates that the island was created from a small bunch of twigs and leaves that was cast by a mythical bird into the bodies of water. A Manobo folktale explains that the island is free from tremors because the Creator had propped up the island with mighty rivers that balanced the weight of the landscapes. Both the B'laan and the Ubo can vividly recall the relationships of their revered and shared ancestors—Apo and Matutum. They can pinpoint the cultural highways crossed by their ancestors to reach the homelands of both Apo and Matutum.

What is even more significant is that indigenous peoples can still name and identify the exact places where their ancestors and folk-heroes had lived, and the specific sites of adventures and battles.

But these sites have not been monumented, worse, destroyed, threatening into oblivion the oral history of the tribes.

C. Lack of Comprehensive and Integrated Community-based Cultural Programs for the Preservation and Revitalization of Local Cultures

This concern implies setting-up of facilitative structures and mechanisms to include the following:

1. Development of a massive community education program beyond mere production and dissemination of IEC materials;
2.  Implementation of a comprehensive cultural programming in-situ;
3. Integration of Performance-focused activities and living-tradition-orientated projects in cultural and heritage sites;
4. Enhancing Socio-Cultural and Economic Potentials of cultural sites and protected areas to the advantage of the local communities in the areas; and
5. Effecting multi-stakeholders approach in the Preservation and Revitalization of Local Cultures
   

The conservation of our cultural resources and heritage sites is a multi-disciplinary means of safeguarding the country's historico-cultural heritage.