Filipino Cultural Heritage
Our cultural and natural heritage is an irreplaceable source of life and
encouragement. The importance of cultural heritage is shown in enhancing
the sense of national, local, and regional identity. Its significance
complements other products and services in which external benefits as
a part of the learning and socialization of young people.
Until today, the UNESCO World Heritage List contains 890 properties
forming part of the cultural and natural heritage that the World Heritage
Committee considers outstanding universal importance. They include 689
cultural, 176 natural, and 25 mix assets in 148 Member State.
World Heritage Sites in the Philippines, including the historic town of
Vigan, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera, the Baroque Churches
of the Philippines, the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and
the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park.
The constitution describes cultural heritage. In Republic Act No.
10066, it was claimed that cultural heritage refers to the entirety of cultural
property maintained and built over time and handed over to future
generations. Cultural property refers to all aspects of the human
imagination. A people and a country show their identity, including temples,
churches, and other places of worship, schools and natural history,
collections and locations, whether public or private, movable or immovable,
and tangible or intangible.
Heritage is the preservation of cultural heritage. It may also state the
property that parents have passed over to their offspring and apply to an
intellectual or religious heritage. Heritage is our inheritance, what we live
with now, and what we pass on to future generations. Heritage or pamana is
worth it. It is a representation of the growth of our nation throughout history
and represents our distinctive cultural identity. It could be a tangible or
intangible item worth treasuring and preserving.
Tangible heritage refers to physical items collected, preserved, and
transferred on a generation-by-generation basis in a community such as the
Natural Heritage, the natural landscape, land types, and coastal and inland
water sources. At the same time, Intangible Heritage refers to behaviors,
representations, phrases, information, skills, tools, items, artifacts, and
cultural spaces such as culture, which are rituals that can also be either oral
or written, customs, values, and trade, and abilities.
Human-made built heritage is an indicator of Tangible Heritage. It
includes cultural landscapes, archaeological sites, historic urban sites or
heritage categories, landmarks, buildings or structures.
Natural Heritage consists of natural structures, geological and
physiological formations, and delineated areas that constitute habitat for
endangered species of animals and plants and natural places of importance
from science, preservation, or naturally beautiful. Involves the Oldest Tree
Alive The Canlaon Century Balete Tree is considered the oldest publicly
recognized tree in the Philippines. Birds such as the Eagle of the Philippines
once called the Monkey-eating Eagle. The Philippine Eagle is covered by law
under Republic Act 9147. Animals like the Crocodile of the Philippines. This
crocodile is also present only in the Philippines. It is also known as the
Mindoro Crocodile or the Filipino Freshwater Crocodile. The Philippine Mouse
Deer, regarded as the smallest hoofed animal in the world. It can be located
on a small island named Balabac, south of Palawan.
Built heritage may be regarded as any person or group of buildings,
structures, monuments, or installations or remains associated with
architectural, cultural, social, political, economic, or military history. One
proof is the Oldest House Existing, the Lichauco Heritage House, one of the
oldest remaining houses in Santa Ana, Manila, Philippines. Initially
constructed in 1859, the house was bought in the late 1940s by a famous
Filipino lawyer and diplomat, Marcial Lichauco, from a European family. They
have fled the Japanese occupation in the Philippines. Houses like one of the
most popular are also the Bahay na Bato. Some houses of powerful families
have become places of interest or museums in their communities due to
cultural, architectural, or historical importance. The Oldest Public Structure
of the Church of San Agustín, the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, or
the Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Consolacion y Correa is a
beautiful sight. Located in the ancient Intramuros or the Walled City of
Manila, this massive stone structure is also one of the oldest and most
symbolic religious buildings in the Philippines. Built Heritage even includes
the Heritage Community, the Urban Heritage Sites, and the Monuments.
Natural Heritage also involves festivals such as festivals and historical
events. In performing arts such as theatre and dance. In Music, Cuisine,
Personalities such as the Oldest Man or the Woman Alive, and Influential
People Dead or Alive, Skills/Technology, Literature/Poetry/Myths/Legend or
recognized as Writing Literature, Language/Orature, Fine/Applied Arts such
as Painting, Sculpture, and Literature, Crafts, Healing Arts, Costume and
Accessories, Archives like documents and memorabilia, Religious Groups,
and Secret Knowledge like the Paranormal Rituals
It is crucial to protect and conserve our heritage, while this shows
value in acknowledging the uniqueness of the location. Cultural Heritage is
valued, reinforced and strengthened by socio-cultural, religious, political and
economic gains. Architecture with unique historical, cultural or architectural
significance improves the standard of living for everyone. These buildings
and their artistry also reflect the past lessons and reflect the valuable
aspects of one's heritage, the cherished representations of quality for today.
Enhancing, maybe for the first time, the standard of life for people.
Preserving the essence of Philippine culture gives an inherent sense of
unity and identity within a community. It allows us to have a deeper
understanding of previous generations. It makes us appreciate the history of
where we come from. It encourages community support. It improves our
quality of life, thereby our overall well-being. In conclusion, we must
maintain our culture and ensure that it is passed on to future generations
because it is our form of self - expression and shapes our lifestyle.
