The College of Arts and Social Sciences in its 35th founding anniversary program DisCASSion, a series of lectures/forums sponsored by the each department of the College, holds a very relevant and timely discussion on the Bangsamoro Organic Law on March 13, at the Cassalida Theater. The sponsoring departments were the Political Science and History in partnership with the Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA). Invited speakers on the panel discussion, who are exceptionally experts on the subject, were Dr. Julio Teehankee of the DLSU and incumbent president of the PPSA, MSU-IIT’s pride Dr. Jamail Kamlian, and Dr. Acram Latiph, the Acting Director of the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (MSU-Main). As Mindanao steps into the path of peace through the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the lectures of the esteemed speakers had definitely shed light on the matter.
Dr. Teehankee decisively remarks that the success of the BARMM, as a sort of political experiment, will also determine whether Federalism can actually work in the Philippines. But Dr. Teehankee cautioned by saying that the country needs to “fix the way we do politics before going to Federalism” concerns such as political dynasty and many other negative political cultures in the country affecting positive success for constitutional change. In many other aspects, Dr. Teehankee lay down the transformative ways in which the MILF, as the forerunner of the BOL, had consolidated its power that resulted into political gains for the Bangsamoro. He emphasized the importance of formation of political parties to be heard and empower rather than take the rough road of rebellion. Equally insightful, Dr. Kamlian raises that BARMM is not only an exclusive concern of the Bangsamoro people, but of the people of Mindanao hence there should be “common interests and common responsibility to make BOL a successful journey.” While Dr. Acram, with his good training in economic and policy analysis, considers the “BOL as the last hope” for Mindanao and in the same manner, he expressed that the benefit of its success is not only for the Bangsamoro but for the rest of Mindanao. In his profound discussion, Dr. Acram said that “peace brought by BOL will create a trickle down effect in the whole Mindanao particularly in improving its economic industry.” The underlying emphasis of the talks is to hope for mutual cooperation for the success of the BARMM because there is no other alternative for Mindanao but peace.
The College of Arts and Social Sciences, with the known predilection towards social relevance, has always spearheaded talks dissecting social concerns and issues. Holding the panel discussion also propels the crucial role of MSU-IIT as a social laboratory that provides a venue where issues and concerns of the country are examined and deliberated, in which the end purpose is to be instructive.
With the supervision of Department of History faculty member Marjorie Joy S. Almario-Magdadaro and GIS Resource Center personnel Engr. Elizabeth Edan M. Albiento, three AB History students namely, Christine Jaya P. Obial, Bulkhia U. Panalondong, and Charity P. Rollorata, and one alumnus, Glary Jun S. Vedra, presented their paper, The Political Evolution of Iligan in GIS Maps: 1625-1950, at the 5th International Conference on State of the Art in Historical GIS in Asia (ANGIS Manila Conference 2016) at the University of the Philippines-Diliman on December 1-3, 2016.
They tackled the political evolution of Iligan City within the course of three decades and presented a visualization of the changes in the city by generating maps through the use of a geographic information system.
The results of the study were presented to other Urban History enthusiasts at the conference organized by the Asian Network of GIS-based Historical Studies (ANGIS) in collaboration with the Project on GIS-based Global History from Asian Perspectives, the University of the Philippines-Department of Geography, and the Philippine Geographical Society, Inc. (PGS).
Anchored on the theme State of the Art in Historical G.I.S. in Asia, the said event sought to promote multidisciplinary approaches and innovative methods such as digital visualization, analysis of data using time information systems, and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in exploring historical processes.
The use of GIS as a digital visualization tool for the analysis and interpretation of data is a recent breakthrough in the conduct of historical research.
The Institute—through the GIS Resource Center and the Department of History—has been taking steps to break the barriers which characterize traditional historical researches.
The officers of the Institute’s Historical Society is holding their annual Histolympics at 7:30 a.m. on October 26 at the College of Nursing Conference Hall.
Histolympics is viewed to promote historical awareness and historical knowledge among participants from within and outside the campus.
The contest focuses on Philippine History, Asian History, and World History.
Historical Society President Husni B. Sarip says that Histolympics is a contest that aims to “promote the level of historical competence in Iligan City,” as well as “build camaraderie among students and a better appreciation of history”.
The Histolympics is open to college students enrolled in History 1 (Philippine History), History 3 (MINSUPALA History), and History 5 (Rizal), and to high school students from the different schools of Iligan City.
Prof. Rohane M. Derogongan, chairperson and Marjorie Joy S. Almario, faculty member of the Department of History attended the 2016 Philippine Historical Association (PHA) National Conference last August 18-20, 2016 at Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City. In the same gathering, Prof. Derogongan registered all History faculty members of the College of Arts and Social Sciences as members of the PHA, thus making the Department of History a recognized and affiliated organization of the association.
The conference that gathered experts and students of History with its theme “Philippine Governance: Historical Perspectives” challenged the amor propio of Filipinos to not only focus on telling about the good and the beautiful but also to include introspection and discussion of our weaknesses and failures as a people, even in political realms, using historical perspectives.
Fr. Albert E. Alejo, Ph.D. who gave the keynote speech discussed the inevitability of teachers to be attached to telling lessons of history, especially tackling topics on political governance. He pointed out that despite the supposed objectivity of the historical discipline, history teachers would be most effective if they localize lessons based on their experiences with the premise that history teachers are historical beings and thus part of the historical process. With all the chaos and confusion surrounding Filipino people, Fr. Alejo challenged history teachers to continuously inspire students as they wonder if there is still hope for the Philippines. He likens a teacher to that of a rooster that crows in the morning, always anticipating a brand new day.
Succeeding plenary sessions were filled with thought-provoking scholarly researches about public service and governance. Dr. Zeus A. Salazar on his lecture entitled “Ama ng Pantayong Pananaw” argued that corruption was non-existent in pre-Spanish Philippine society as evidenced by its having no native equivalent in our languages. The term corruption, according to Dr. Salazar, only entered Filipino vocabulary after the US occupation.
Dr. Salazar stressed that there was no corruption in our political governance, because the ancients demonstrated cooperative behavior in which everyone had a role to play in pursuit of the kaginhawaan. This concept was also shared by Dr. Evelyn A. Songco who supported the absence of corruption in pre-colonial society, citing that there was only cooperation then.
Dr. Ambeth R. Ocampo talked about the Marcos Diaries that he was working on. Using historical evidences, Dr. Ocampo shed light on some of the controversies involving President Marcos including his being one of the most decorated wartime heroes of the country by receiving 32 medals for his exploits during World War II; a claim that was later disputed due to authenticity. Dr. Ocampo, citing American authorities said that President Marcos was not even entitled to the awards. Dr. Ocampo’s book the Marcos Diaries will be out in 2017.
In sum, the 2016 PHA National Conference encourages history educators to be advocates of good governance. It inspires us to be that change that we want to see in our society. Work must not be considered only as a source of income. A public office is a public trust. Therefore, it must be rendered with honor and dignity.
The Philippine Historical Association only allows individual membership; to become an affiliated and recognized organization, all members of a given organization should be an individual member of PHA. The Department of History is now entitled to membership rights and privileges such as attendance to PHA conferences as well as recipient of PHA journals and resources.
History Professor and Dean of the Office of Student Affairs of Silliman University Carlos P. Magtolis, Jr. focuses on the significance of local history research and on the history of Negros Oriental during his lecture on November 28, 2013 at 9:00 AM at the Mini-theatre.
Earlier, a lecture on the Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF was conducted by Professor Leonor Magtolis Briones on November 15, 2013 at the CEd Amphi-theatre.
These lectures are organized by the Office of Publication & Information, the OVCRE-Center for Governance Studies, the Department of History and the Department of Political Science of the College of Arts & Social Sciences (CASS) in cooperation with the Office of the Chancellor and the Office of Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Magtolis, is the current Dean of the Office of Student Affairs of Silliman University. He represents the university as Coordinator in the Committee on Historical Research, National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA). He was a long time Dean of Silliman’s College of Arts & Sciences (AS).
Magtolis finished his Geography and Geology degree at UP Diliman, his AB History degree from Silliman University and his Master’s Degree in History at UP Diliman. He has travelled extensively abroad.
After graduating from UP, he went to the Soviet Union to study Marxism and Guerilla Warfare. When Martial Law was declared in the country, the Philippine military promptly branded him a communist. His pending arrest forced him to go to the hometown of his father in Negros Occidental but, he later returned to Dumaguete City to work in Silliman.
He has published his papers on historical research in national and international journals and he has organized numerous events for Silliman, Negros Oriental and for the country in the promotion of local history as a significant aspect of historical research.
Registration fee is P30.00 only.
Please call History Department, CASS (Dr. Cecile B. Tangian) loc.4149 or the OPI (Cherly S. Adlawan), tel. 2232343 or 09177576585 for reservations.
