A team of researchers from the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) and Davao Oriental State University (DORSU) met with some Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officials to discuss the Commission on Higher Education-funded program, Creating Supplemental References Integrating Bangsamoro History and Culture, on March 24-25, 2022 in Cotabato City.
The Team includes Assoc. Prof. Gladys Florangel I. Ortiz of CDM (program leader and project leader for capacity-building), Assoc. Prof. Sajed S. Ingilan of CAS (project leader for Publication), Dr. Mary Grace Z. Agbas of CDM (project leader for Anthology on Bangsamoro literature), Assoc. Prof. Marivic N. Neri of CED (project leader for Module development) and Asst. Prof. Roland A. Dalagan of DORSU (project leader for Historical Research). The Program is one of the ongoing research programs of USeP-CDM’s Mindanao Center for Policy Studies (MCPS). It will conduct a research on Bangsamoro history, publish an anthology on Bangsamoro literature, and produce modules on Bangsamoro history and culture for higher education institutions. It is supervised by the CHED-Higher Education in the Context of the Bangsamoro Law (CHED-HECBOL).
The Team reported to BARMM Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education Director-General Marjunni M. Maddi the activities of the program. Director-General Maddi expressed his full support and emphasized that the BARMM is a just a message away should the USeP and DORSU researchers need assistance in the conduct of the two-year program. The Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage Chairperson Dr. Salem Y. Lingasa toured the team in the Bangsamoro Museum. Dr. Lingasa accommodated the queries of the Team with regard to the gathering of cultural artifacts.
To benchmark on good practices in publishing Bangsamoro literature, the Team visited the Office of the Publication Board of the Bangsamoro Literary Review (BLR) under Bangsamoro Transition Authority Member of Parliament Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Jr. The BLR Publication Board shared their guidelines in publishing different literary genres as well as the review process and copyright issues.
The Team also conversed with Prof. Aboud Syed Lingga, Executive Director of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, to solicit advice on Bangsamoro studies. Prof. Lingga shared with the Team his works and collection related to Bangsamoro studies. These will be utilized as part of the contents in the Bangsamoro History and Culture modules.
The Kutawato Museum in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato was also part of the itinerary. Together with the project staff, Ms. Ingrid Y. Gallogo of the USeP Mindanao Center for Policy Studies (MCPS), Ms. Madelyn Barnes of the USeP Office of the Vice President for Administration, and Mr. Meill Frolidan Icban of the USeP Systems and Data Management Division, the project leaders updated their knowledge on the history of Cotabato and BARMM in general.
This program will contribute to the ultimate objective of creating an inclusive and integrative study of Philippine history and culture that accounts for all Filipinos and more importantly to a holistic understanding, appreciation, and valuing of our country’s rich history and culture.
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Article by Sajed S. Ingilan
