History came alive as an immersive experience at HistoEx 2026, organized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) from 27 to 29 July at the SM Mall of Asia’s Music Hall in Pasay City. The event ushered in the observance of History Month in August and also celebrated the Dekada ng Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas.

Short for “History to Experience,” HistoEx was launched in 2024 as a mini-convention that brings together historical and cultural organizations to present their work through exhibitions, products, services, and engaging educational activities.

The inaugural fair, held from 23 to 25 August 2024 at Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City, gathered 25 exhibitors and drew 8,532 visitors over three days. Buoyed by its success, the NHCP mounted a second edition from 1 to 3 August 2025 at the same venue. It featured 33 exhibitors and attracted 11,848 visitors.

For this year’s HistoEx, the NHCP partnered with SM Book Nook, SM Cares and SM Supermalls. The event carried the theme “Across Borders and Currents,” reflected in an exhibition design inspired by the United Nations General Assembly and the ideals of dialogue, diplomacy and international cooperation. Its visual elements included patterns drawn from the t’nalak, the handwoven textile of the T’boli, symbolizing cultural memory and unity in diversity; waves representing migration, cultural exchange and shared journeys; and the balangay, a wooden plank boat built and used by several communities in the precolonial Philippines.

Held in celebration of the Year of Philippine Diplomatic History and Diaspora, HistoEx 2026 highlighted the country’s history of international engagement as well as the stories of overseas Filipino communities whose journeys have helped shape the nation’s identity and presence in the world.

At the heart of the mini-expo stood a balangay-shaped installation, its sail bearing the words “Iisang Balangay Tayo!” (We are one boat). It housed the mini-exhibition “Across Borders and Currents: Philippine Diplomacy and Diaspora Through the Currents,” which traced the Philippines’ international connections and the movements of its people.

Surrounding the centerpiece were more than 30 exhibitors. Leading the roster were the NHCP and SM Book Nook, joined by Malacañang Heritage Tours, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Migrant Workers, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

Participating government institutions and local governments included the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Museum of the Philippines, National Library of the Philippines, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, National Archives of the Philippines, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Museo ni Dr. Pio Valenzuela and the local government unit of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Non-government organizations were likewise represented, among them the Philippine Historical Association, FamilySearch International, Project Saysay, Ministry on Cultural Heritage of the Church of the Diocese of Imus, Renacimiento Manila, Iglesia ni Cristo Museum, BayaniJuan, Philippine National Historical Society, Historia Viviente Manila, Manila Studies Association, Museo del Galeón and Pureautumnart.

Two international partners — the Instituto Cervantes de Manila and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia — also took part.

The opening ceremony on 27 July was led by NHCP chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr.; architect Shereen T. Sy, who is behind the SM Book Nook project; and guest of honor, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria, representing Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro. Also in attendance were National Artist for dance Alice Reyes; Avi Dewani Sari Harahap, minister counsellor for Social And Cultural Affairs of the Embassy of Indonesia in Manila; National Museum of the Philippines director general Jeremy Barns; National Library of the Philippines director Cesar Gilbert Adriano; National Archives of the Philippines executive director Victorino Mapa Manalo; and National Commission for Culture and the Arts deputy executive director Bernan Joseph Corpuz.

Performances by singer Bayang Barrios and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines enlivened the program.

Across three days, visitors could choose from talks, performances, games, film screenings, book launches and demonstrations designed to make history both instructive and engaging.

Beside the balangay centerpiece was the NHCP traveling exhibition “Plaridel: The Pillar of Filipino Conscience.”

The NHCP staged Reyal o Fakeh, a game show in which contestants determined whether historical stories were “reyal” (real) or “fakeh” (fake). It also held Kasiklaban: The NHCP Quiz Bee on Philippine History and Heritage. From nearly 50 contestants, Enrico Miguel Salvador of Ateneo de Manila University emerged as champion. Janry Clark Nacilla of San Pablo Colleges placed second, while Ramon Francesco Carbon of the University of the Philippines Open University took third place.

The lectures included “Our World Turned Upside Down: 1571, 1763, 1898” by Manuel L. Quezon III; “Patakarang Panlabas ng Administrasyong Diosdado Macapagal sa Ilalim ng Period of Immobilisme” by Dr. Kristoffer R. Esquejo; “The Baul Mundo: Show and Tell,” moderated by Ralph Batoon; and “The Genesis and Golden Age of Philippine Basketball: A Show and Tell” by Dr. Michael Rico B. Mesina.

The TED Talk-style HistoEx Talks featured Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma, who delivered “Filipinos: The Original Eco-Warriors”; Howie Severino, who shared his experiences as a journalist, historian, and advocate of baybayin, the old Tagalog abugida; and actress Gab Pangilinan, who explored the intersection of history and theater.

The documentary “Tubabao Odyssey” was screened, recounting the story of White Russian refugees who fled their country and found temporary sanctuary on Tubabao Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, from 1949 to 1951.

Two books were also launched during HistoEx: Presa: The History and Heritage of Spanish Colonial Dam Building in the Philippines, 1699–1898 by Edgar Allan M. Sembrano, and Images from the Past: Pictorial Essays of Philippine History and Heritage, a catalogue of four exhibitions from 2013 to 2019.

Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage presented two demonstrations: “Traditional Tausug Attire: Proper Wearing and Cultural Significance” and “A Demonstration of Pangalay: The Living Dance of Sulu.”

Like the balangay at its center, HistoEx showed that history is not merely where a people have been — it is also the vessel that carries them forward.