USAID executive officer lauds MSU Aga Khan museum as Repository of Cultural Heritage

 

MSU employees posed in front of MSU Aga Khan Museum headed by Dr. Linang Cabugatan

BY ASANGAN T. MADALE

“He who denies his heritage, has no heritage”- Kahlil Gibran

MARAWI CITY - Executive Officer of the Marawi Response Program USAID Plan International Mr. Lauro Tito C. Ilagan in his message during the celebration of the National Heritage Month held May 27, 2021 at Aga Khan Museum building, MSU main campus this City, "The MSU Aga Khan Museum is a Repository of Cultural Heritage in Southern Philippines," Ilagan lauded.

Mr. Lauro Tito C. Ilagan

"As I know under the Charter of MSU System (Republic Act 1893 ,under Section 2 enjoins that institution is task to undertake studies of Filipinos Native Culture, along with sciences and humanities , to implement its charter, the university founded this Aga Khan from acquiring its collection to the continuous process of museum and development and especially its importance to students and researchers to study of their historical heritage." Ilagan added.

Just recently, the Aga Khan Museum and Arkat Lawanen celebrated the National Heritage Month or Pambansang Buwan ng Pamana with this year’s theme "VICTORY AND HUMANITY Upholding Filipino Heritage and Identity " Ilagan emphasized.

The month of May is National Heritage Month, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 439 s. 2003. Every Filipino is enjoined to take part in this celebration and help create among us a consciousness, respect, and love for the nation’s historical heritage.

As we reflect on and celebrate National Heritage Month in the midst of the most challenging year in recent memory owing to the pandemic, it is more important to look at how we can contribute to preserving our culture and heritage, which help shape our society and our nation’s identity.

However, Ilagan said "Ang pagtulong namin sa mga sector kabilang na ang mga traditional handwoven goods at pati na yung mga gumagawa ng baur at brassware ay malaking bagay po upang magkaroon tayo ng mga pagkakataon pang magkaroon ng mas maraming economic opportunity sa pamamagitan ng trabaho, dagdag negosyo at kita dahil sa kanilang pagproduce at pagbenta ng mga produktong ito, Subalit kasama rin diyan ang pagsuporta rin na mapreserve yung traditional skills at art ng Meranaw people. [ Our support to help the sectoral groups including the traditional handowven goods who are engaged in making "baur" or wooden chest is to improve their economic opportunity by creating more jobs out of the products they produce, and above all our major concern is to help preserve the traditional skills , and arts among the Meranaw people"]

PCW Commissioner Asliyha Limbona

Meanwhile, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Commissioner on Culture and the Arts Bae Asliyha Limbona was grateful enough for the support received through her initiative to protect, preserve and transmit Meranaw traditional weaving and other items, "I am always thankful to the Marawi Response Program USAID International Plan, my counterpart Dr. Linang Cabugatan, head of Aga Khan Museum and to everyone who have exerted their efforts for the success of the program.

Dr. Cabugatan in her welcome address recognizes the importance of preserving one’s heritage because heritage is who we are as a people and heritage is our history.

Cabugatan stressed the importance of the created initiatives designed to protect not only our cultural heritage but also our natural heritage like the Lake Lanao. "As the people of the Lake, it is incumbent upon us to take care of it," Cabugatan pointed out in her message. (Edited by Jun Enriquez; Photos contributed by Asangan T. Madale)