The University of Southeastern Philippines, through the CHED-funded research program, Creating Supplemental References Integrating Bangsamoro History and Culture (BHC), visited the archives in various libraries and documented the artifacts and other collections in museums in Sulu and Zamboanga City on June 21-25, 2023.
The activity is one of the deliverables of the CHED-funded research program which aims to address the scarcity of resources on the teaching of Bangsamoro history and culture at the tertiary level. As stated by Assoc. Prof. Gladys Florangel I. Ortiz, “The peculiar collections in the libraries and museums in Sulu and Zamboanga will enrich the historical component, the modules, and the anthology of Bangsamoro literature”.
The team, led by Assoc. Prof. Roland Dalagan of Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU), Project Leader for Historical Research; along with USeP Assoc. Prof. Sajed Ingilan, Project Leader for Publication; and Project Staff Arvin Jay Costales (DOrSU) and Meill Frolidan Icban (USeP), visited the Sulu State College (SSC). SSC Officer-in-Charge, Vice President for Academic Affairs Assoc. Prof. Nelson Julhamid, was on-hand to welcome the delegation. Through the help of SSC, the team had an opportunity to be acquainted with the rich culture of Sulu as they toured the National Museum-Sulu, Lupah Sug Provincial Library, Notre Dame of Jolo College Library, and the replica of Astana (Palace of Sultan) in Talipao.
They then proceeded to the Mindanao State University (MSU) – Sulu and were received by MSU Sulu Officer-in-Charge, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Rafael A. Regellana; and Vice Chancellor for Research Prof. Hannibal Bara. The discussions centered on how the project could contribute to the ultimate objective of creating an inclusive and integrative study of Philippine history and culture that accounts for all Filipinos. To gather additional information on Bangsamoro history and culture, the team explored the National Museum in Fort Pilar, the Ateneo de Zamboanga-Mindanao Institute, and the Yakan village in Zamboanga City.
“This is our commitment to realizing the USeP’s vision of transforming communities through research programs,” articulated Assoc. Prof. Ingilan of USeP College of Arts and Sciences.
During the previous months, the team also visited the museums and libraries in the cities of Cotabato, Malaybalay, Kidapawan, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Marawi to gain a comprehensive knowledge on BHC.
Article by Sajed S. Ingilan
Photos by Meill Frolidan Icban
