Legarda named Senate culture panel chair

Senator Loren Legarda has been designated as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts for the 20th Congress, reinforcing her decades-long advocacy for the preservation and promotion of Filipino heritage.

"I am honored by the trust of my colleagues and the Senate as an institution in choosing me to lead this important Committee,” Legarda said. “Through this Chairmanship, I am committed to deepening the understanding that our shared history, culture, and traditions, both tangible and intangible, are more than just markers of our identity. Arts and culture generate potential opportunities for development deserving of our utmost respect, protection, and promotion."

A longtime advocate of Philippine culture, Legarda has led national initiatives aimed at elevating Filipino ingenuity on the global stage. Among her accomplishments is spearheading the country’s return to the prestigious Venice Biennale after a 51-year absence, and securing the Philippines' selection as Guest of Honour for the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest book trade event.

"Too often, culture and the arts are overlooked, perceived as beautiful and meaningful, but disconnected from the realities of daily life and economic survival. This is the misconception I am determined to redefine,” Legarda added. “Culture and the arts create livelihoods, businesses, and uplift local communities. They are threads that weave our national narrative and inspire creative innovation, building our nation toward inclusive and sustainable growth."

Legarda has authored and co-sponsored several landmark laws in support of cultural preservation. These include Republic Act No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, which mandates the conservation of cultural assets; Republic Act No. 10908 or the Integrated History Act of 2016, which ensures that Filipino-Muslim and Indigenous Peoples' histories are included in the national curriculum; and Republic Act No. 11961, which institutionalizes cultural mapping and enhances heritage education programs.

In recognition of her contributions, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts awarded Legarda the Dangal ng Haraya – Patron of Arts and Culture Award. She has also been honored by several Indigenous groups with cultural titles, including Bai a Labi by the Marawi Sultanate; Tukwifi (“bright star”) by the Cordillera Indigenous Elected Women’s Leaders League; Cuyong Adlaw Dulpa-an Labaw sa Kadunggan (“shining sun rising in power”) by the Panay Bukidnon of the Visayas; and Bae Matumpis (“the one who takes care”) by cultural communities in Mindanao.