DID YOU KNOW: National Heritage Month

The month of May was declared National Heritage Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 439 signed on Aug. 11, 2003 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. According to the proclamation, the celebration aims to create consciousness, respect and love for the legacies of Filipino cultural history and raise support for the protection of tangible and intangible heritage. The month of May is by tradition the time of the year most fiestas, festivals and other indigenous activities are celebrated throughout the country. —Marielle Medina, Inquirer Research