NHCP Chair consults the public
INTRAMUROS, MANILA. National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chair Rene R. Escalante graced the occasion of the fourth founding anniversary of Project Saysay as guest of honor at Jose Rizal Museum, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila afternoon of 20 May 2017. He was the lone speaker of the anniversary program which he used as an opportunity to solicit opinions, hear concerns, and consult the public in regard to the mandate of the cultural agency.
In his speech, Chair Escalante admitted that whenever he hears about Project Saysay it reminds him of his seminary days. He said verses from the Bible was their daily routine, intended for reflection and pondering. He also compared the relevance of Project Saysay with their routine in the seminary as important exercise of gaining wisdom and at the same time inspiration.
The NHCP Chair also recommended to Project Saysay to explore the possibility of including foreign thinkers in its advocacy. Moreover, he challenged the advocacy to be more inclusive by increasing the number of posters featuring the Visayans and Mindanaoan personalities.
In addition, Chair Escalante advised Project Saysay to keep on sending proposals to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). In 2016, the NCCA turned down Project Saysay's 20,000-piece poster proposal. The former De La Salle University History Department Chairman promised to do what he can for Project Sayay as a concurrent NCCA commissioner. Chair Escalante also invited Project Saysay in a meeting at the NHCP Central Office in Ermita, Manila to discuss how to enhance the partnership and collaboration between the two institution.
Founded on 22 May 2013, Project Saysay is a brainchild of NHCP history researcher Ian Christopher Alfonso. The funding of Project Saysay initially came from Alfonso's salary. The NHCP has been a great partner of Project Saysay since its founding. Project Saysay dedicated the program in honor of the said government agency.
This was the first time Project Saysay ever celebrated its anniversary.
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