Currents of history converge in Northern Samar

Northern Samar hosted the National Conference on Local and National History for the first time, bringing together historians, researchers, educators, tourism professionals, and history enthusiasts to explore the connections between water and the Philippine past.

Organized by the Philippine National Historical Society (PNHS), the conference’s 47th edition, held from 22 to 24 October, featured two days of presentations, held primarily at Ibabao Hall in the provincial government building in the capital Catarman, followed by an educational tour on the third day.

With the theme “History and Water,” this year’s gathering was organized in partnership with the provincial government of Northern Samar, led by Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan, and the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP). It was supported by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Social Science Council, Diocese of Catarman and Northern Samar Geopark.

PNHS president Bernardita Reyes Churchill said the annual conferences have “served as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional networking, whilst empowering young and emerging scholars.”

This year’s gathering also marked the society’s 85th anniversary.

“For 85 years, the Philippine National Historical Society has been a key player in shaping our local and national history, and now, with continued and renewed fervor, we look forward to more years of historical research, solidarity, partnerships, and collaborations,” Churchill said.

A clearer understanding

In his message, Ongchuan highlighted the province’s historical significance and its cultural and natural heritage, which, he said, “remind us that Northern Samar’s story is woven into the larger story of our nation.”

“May this conference remind us that when we preserve our history, we give future generations a clearer understanding of who they are and where they can go,” he said.

Vice governor Clarence Dato described hosting the gathering as an honor for the province, noting that “this is more than an occasion to discuss history.”

“It is an opportunity to affirm a fundamental truth: a people who know and value their history are better prepared to understand their identity, appreciate their heritage, and shape their future,” he said.

“I therefore look upon this conference not simply as an academic undertaking, but as an important investment in our collective memory,” he added.

Northern Samar First District Representative Niko Raul Daza described the province’s hosting of the conference as “fitting,” while Second District Representative Edwin Ongchuan called it both a “privilege and milestone.”

Katarzyna Wilkowiecka, chargé d’affaires of the Polish Embassy in Manila, and UEP president Cherry Ultra also extended greetings and messages of support to the society and the provincial government.

Varied perspectives

More than four dozen presenters examined the conference theme alongside related subjects, including town formation, disasters and the shaping of memory, markers of identity and migration.

The presenters included Rhodora Abalajen-Bande and Michael Carlo Villas of Visayas State University; Abdul Majiid Abdul Azis of the University of Central Mindanao; Alvin John Abril of the University of the Philippines Baguio; Cenon Agbayani Jr. of Holy Name University in Tagbilaran; Ruhollah Al-Husseini Alonto of the Bangsamoro Commission on the Preservation of Cultural Heritage; and Kimberly Apatan-Lusay of Mindanao State University–Marawi.

Also presenting were Sonny Bechayda of the University of San Carlos; Archie Bermejo and Hazna Yanisa Hadji Nasser of Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology; Keziah Franzene Bermio of the University of the Philippines; John Patrick Besoña of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines; Carl Angelo Loureen Bitauag and Rain Carajay, affiliated with Cultural Project Saysay, Inc., and the City Government of Taguig; and Carl Jamie Simple Bordeos of Northern Samar Geopark.

They were joined by Rolando Borrinaga of the University of the Philippines Manila in Palo, Leyte; independent researcher Irvin Lawrence Bugtong; Micah Pauline Cadungog of Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology; Sittie Ayena Caye of the Bangsamoro Commission on the Preservation of Cultural Heritage; Earl Jude Cleope of Silliman University; and Paul Anthony Colina of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Other presenters were Benjielen de Guzman of the University of Eastern Philippines–Laoang; Jay Rome delos Santos of Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology; Romeo Detaro of Northern Iloilo State University; Ariel Doria of the University of the Philippines Los Baños; Edwin Estrera of the University of the Philippines Cebu; and Elrish Jay Felamin of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao.

The roster also included Justine Galang of the University of the Philippines Baguio; Mark Jayson Gloria of the University of the Philippines Los Baños; Kevin Conrad Ibasco of the University of the Philippines Baguio; Romel Jaime of San Sebastian College–Recoletos, Manila; Virlyn Jaime-Francisco of De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde; Joven Jalbuna of Siquijor State College; and Delilah Labajo of the University of San Carlos.

Also participating were Dee Labunog of Northwestern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology; Rhys Lloyd Lacia and Gabriela Sofia Leaño of the University of the Philippines Baguio; Nereo Lujan of the Iloilo Provincial Information Office; Cielo Camilla Lumawag of the University of Santo Tomas; Marcelino Macapinla of De La Salle University; and John Lemuel Magnaye of the Asian Center, University of the Philippines.

They were joined by Trizer Dale Mansueto of the University of the Philippines Cebu; Bermelie Martinez-Carlsson and Cecilia Tiangan of Northern Mindanao Heritage Trust Network, Inc.; Jeric Mayugba of the University of the Philippines Diliman; Analyn Muñoz of the University of the Philippines Baguio; Jonathan Navarra of Bicol University; and Juvelyn Nierves of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

The presenters also included John Joseph Isaiah Orpilla of the University of the Philippines Baguio; Sittie Juhanna Pandapatan and Jonah Pearl Agad, affiliated with Central Mindanao University and Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology; Joao Paulo Reginaldo and Aldous Tracy Rubio of the University of the Philippines Baguio; and Agner Sagonoy of Catbalogan City Community College.

Completing the roster were Kay Bathala Santos of Eastern Visayas State University; Blesselyn Selvino-Tayni of Mountain Province State University; EA Sembrano of the Philippine National Historical Society; Carlos Joaquin Tabalon of the University of the Philippines Diliman; John Kurt Tañada of Project Saysay, Inc.; Andrea Tusiap and Henry John Prio, affiliated with West Visayas State University and Silliman University; and Athena Vitor, Procopio Resabal Jr., and Cristoti Redulla, affiliated with the Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage Council and the Tagbilaran City Council for Culture and the Arts.

Encounters with local heritage

An educational tour, or lakbay-aral, brought participants to the historic towns of Palapag and Catubig, as well as the municipality of Pambujan. The day concluded with a dinner hosted by UEP at its White Beach. The Pambujan local government provided buses for the tour.

Cultural presentations throughout the three-day gathering introduced participants to Northern Samar’s performing traditions. These included performances by a cultural troupe from Capul and a rendition of siday, a traditional form of poetry, by Mike Laurence Borbon. Drum and lyre bands welcomed the visitors in Palapag and Catubig.

In Catubig, the Paragbebe Dance Troupe performed “Paragbebe,” a dance depicting the harvesting and preparation of local freshwater clam known as bebe. Milagros Rubenecia and Arturo Rebay sang Ibabaonon folk songs, while Catubig’s Hiraya Folkloric Dancers presented local dances.

The provincial government also mounted an exhibition in the capitol lobby, featuring archaeological finds from Northern Samar, including earthenware sherds, alongside replicas of precolonial gold objects, costumes fashioned from indigenous materials, and a rare stone specimen. Images of the province’s past and present governors were displayed on the second floor.

Beyond the conference papers, these encounters with local places, objects, and traditions offered participants a closer look at the heritage of the host province.