MANILA, Philippines–Sen. Loren Legarda on Monday exhorted the public to preserve and appreciate the Philippines’ heritage, including Dr. Jose Rizal’s collection of textiles.
Legarda said Rizal, who opposed Spanish rule and was executed on Dec. 30, 1896, was himself part of the national heritage.
The country is marking the 118th anniversary of Rizal’s martyrdom Tuesday.
“Dr. Jose Rizal is an important figure in our history—his ideals, works and actions all form part of our rich heritage, which we must all strive to respect, protect and preserve,” Legarda said in a statement.
And by his actions, Rizal showed the example for generations of Filipinos to embrace their heritage, Legarda said, citing, for instance, the polyglot hero’s love of the Filipino language.
Rizal’s works speak of the beauty of the Philippines and its people, Legarda said.
The national hero was also fond of indigenous woven fabrics, she said.
Textile collection
In fact, she said, Rizal had a collection of Philippine textiles and indigenous clothing, now kept at Berlin Ethnological Museum in Germany.
“We look forward to the exhibit of Rizal’s textile collection at the National Museum of the Philippines next year and hope that the revelation of his appreciation of textiles would be an encouragement for the general public to view Philippine indigenous textiles in a new light,” Legarda said.
Filipinos should emulate Rizal in taking pride in the country’s heritage, she said.
“We will be more confident in ourselves if we know who we are and if we understand our roots. We must all strive to know about our heritage, appreciate it and preserve it as well,” she said.
Legarda proposed a cultural mapping of every town, city and municipality in the country.
She said each locality had its own cultural heritage to showcase and these resources should be identified and documented for appreciation, conservation and development.
“The fundamental goal of cultural mapping is to educate and help the nation visualize its rich heritage while allowing for reflection of what it stands to lose as a result of its collective apathy,” she said.
Earlier this month, Legarda filed a resolution affirming the declaration of certain parts of Sta. Ana district in Manila as a heritage zone by the National Historical Institute.
She said there was a continuing threat to the preservation of the historical integrity of Sta. Ana, no thanks to uncontrolled urbanization that imperiled its buffer and core zones.
Legarda said a 31-story building was being built within the histocultural heritage overlay zone of the district despite the lack of an archaeological impact assessment for the project.
“There is a need to strengthen existing rules and guidelines, and improve cooperation among various agencies to ensure the preservation of these heritage zones,” she said.