Good evening, everyone.
I am MJ PANUGAN and I will be talking about Preserving our Cultural
Heritage and Traditional Knowledge. Today, I invite you to embark on a journey—not through
time, but with this.
Imagine a world where ancient stories, languages, art, and traditions disappear, replaced by
silence—a silence that erases the essence of who we are. Around the globe, cultural heritage
and traditional knowledge are fading, often dismissed as relics of the past. But why does
preserving our heritage matter? Why should we care about practices that may seem outdated
or irrelevant in modern society? And what if I told you they hold the key to our future?
Today, we’ll explore why preserving cultural heritage is not just about remembering where we
came from but protecting who we are and who we can be. Together, let’s discover why these
traditions matter and how we can ensure they thrive for generations to come."
Culture and tradition are the life and soul of human society and the means to characterize
individuals beliefs, reflecting history, identity, and sustainable practices. These assets connect
communities to their roots, foster unity, and offer solutions to modern challenges. However,
globalization, urbanization, and cultural appropriation threaten their survival.
Languages, traditions, and historic landmarks risk extinction due to these forces, it leads to a
loss of cultural diversity and wisdom.
Preserving these assets involves community participation, international cooperation, and
innovative solutions. Community-based initiatives like cultural festivals and heritage tourism
generate economic benefits while safeguarding traditions. Cultural tourism is another big factor
whereby locals are hired in cultural troupes to perform for tourists thus earning the
community’s revenue at the same time promoting cultural endowment. Global bodies, for
example, UNESCO, offer support, funds, expertise, plus public education in the form of the
World Heritage and legal frameworks on the sustainable management of the ICH.
Here in Cebu, cultural heritage includes historic landmarks such as Magellan’s Cross, Fort San
Pedro, and the Basilica del Santo Niño, along with vibrant traditions like the Sinulog Festival.
These represent Cebu’s historical, spiritual, and cultural identity.
Traditional knowledge in Cebu, such as sustainable fishing and farming, contributes to
environmental conservation and resilience.
Today, organizations like UNESCO are deeply invested in protecting cultural heritage across the
globe. Through initiatives such as the designation of World Heritage Sites and the Convention
for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, UNESCO strives to preserve not only
monumental structures but also the customs, performances, and traditional knowledge that
shape the human identity.
Their efforts extend to publishing insightful resources, building capacity, and providing platforms
for communities to advocate for their heritage. This mission is a profound moral commitment to
document the rich cultural beliefs of indigenous peoples and honor their visionary stewardship
of conservation and collective well-being. By safeguarding cultural diversity, we ensure that
future generations remain connected to a vast repository of knowledge and sustainable ways of
life, preserving the beauty and wisdom of our shared human legacy.
