The Power of Preserving Cultural Heritage in Building a Better Ciudad de Cavite

 

Cultural Heritage is central to protecting our sense of who we are. It gives us an irrefutable connection to the past – to certain social values, beliefs, customs and traditions, that allows us to identify ourselves with others and deepen our sense of unity, belonging and national pride.

Throughout the years, this blog has continued to envision a future where our city's cultural heritage is truly valued and integrated into all programs and developments. We aspire for our ciudad to follow the footsteps of neighboring areas that have gradually embraced this approach, reaping long-term progress with a genuine purpose. Sadly, it is important to acknowledge that a person's passion for cultural heritage is inherently profound, regardless of whether others recognize its value. It has become increasingly challenging to find young generations in the ciudad who are fully engaged in the significance of our heritage, as they are often consumed by the superficiality of social media. The obsession with likes, views, and virality has become the primary gauge of worth, overshadowing the true essence of cultural heritage. However, it is possible to bridge these two worlds, as demonstrated by more progressive areas that have successfully merged the digital age with the preservation and promotion of heritage.

Cultural heritage plays a vital role in economic development, serving as a significant industry. The presence of heritage sites attracts a multitude of visitors, tourists, and enthusiasts, leading to a surge in secondary economic activities. The preservation and practice of cultural heritage give rise to various enterprises in the fields of artisanal crafts, design, fashion, performing arts, and culinary arts, catering to consumers and generating income. Additionally, cultural heritage provides employment opportunities, whether through historic restoration projects, site management and operations, or service in the hospitality industry. This makes cultural heritage financially and economically valuable and, when well-managed for the benefit of local or host communities, an asset for social stability and well-being. And our ciudad and its ancestors has one of the riches cultural heritage in the ENTIRE country.

Last month Senator Loren Legarda, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, has filed Senate Bill (SB) 622, An Act Amending Republic Act No. 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, which seeks to mandate LGUs to conduct a comprehensive cultural mapping of their areas of jurisdiction.

“I believe that culture is the narrative that binds us as a nation, and it is something we owe to our ancestors and heroes who built the Philippines as it is today. It is also important to protect our way of living and our heritage that we will also pass on to our children and our children’s children,” Legarda said during a committee hearing on various cultural measures.

We do not know how long this bill will take or if it will really move forward but at least there is a little hope hindi man ngayon baka balang araw. For now the best way to preserve cultural heritage of our city is to continue sharing it with others.

#ElSueño #WeLoveCaviteCity

Sources :

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/11/legarda-bats-for-accelerating-lgu-participation-in-cultural-mapping-to-preserve-ph-cultural-assets/

https://www.whysocialscience.com/blog/2022/2/22/because-it-can-help-preserve-cultural-heritage-important-for-understanding-and-social-benefit

El Ciudad de Cavite Cultural Mapping

Aside from Chabacano books another dream of Lutong Cavite is Cultural Mapping of the city in coordination of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

What is 𝘾𝙐𝙇𝙏𝙐𝙍𝘼𝙇 𝙈𝘼𝙋𝙋𝙄𝙉𝙂 ?

Cultural Mapping also known as cultural resource mapping or cultural landscape mapping, refers to a wide range of research techniques and tools used to "map" distinct peoples' tangible and intangible cultural assets within local landscapes around the world. This process can help as communities move into the planning and implementation phase by identifying early the resources, efficiencies and links between arts and cultural groups, as well as their common aspirations and values.

Mahalagang maitala ang detalye ng mga cultural asset ng isang lugar at mabuo ang mga aspeto ng pagkakaroon ng kahalagahan nito sa mamamayan mula noon at ngayon. Para ito sa kapakinabangan ng ciudad at ng susunod na henerasyon. Siguro naman makakabuo ng kahit dalawang dosena mula sa mga SK at academe na guro at estudyante lalo mga young enthusiast kung meron para makapagsampa ng mga bagong mukha na interesado at tutulong kung sakaling magkaron na ng ganitong proyekto. Saving heritage and culture is an entire community effort.

ꜱᴀ ɴᴀɢ ᴜᴜᴍᴀᴘᴀᴡ ɴᴀ ᴅᴀᴍɪɴɢ ʏᴀᴍᴀɴ ɴɢ ɴᴀᴋᴀʀᴀᴀɴ ɴɢ ᴀᴛɪɴɢ ꜱɪʏᴜᴅᴀᴅ ɴᴀ ɴᴀᴘᴀᴋᴀʀᴀᴍɪɴɢ ᴘɪɴᴛᴏ ɴɢ ᴏᴘᴏʀᴛᴜɴɪᴅᴀᴅ ɴᴀ ᴍᴀᴀʀɪɴɢ ᴍᴀɢʙᴜᴋᴀꜱ ꜱᴀɴᴀ ᴀʏ ᴍᴀɢᴋᴀʀᴏᴏɴ ᴛᴀʏᴏ ɴɪᴛᴏ.

CREDIT to the talented artist who draw the map

#ElSueño #WeLoveCaviteCity #CulturalMappingDelCiudadDeCavite

Mi Sueño Del Ciudad

 

If you live your whole life in Cavite City you surely have noticed how the city deteriorated from 1^st class now to a mere 4th class city. Every election all running politicians are full of never ending promises to do this and that but the only improvement one have seen is the ever changing design of MURALLA every change of administration and sprouting of giant fast food chains. Even the Cavite City public market fails terribly in sanitation. It’s not yet too late to still dream for Cavite City to be back to its prime shape and prestige and regain its former glamorous status. Di naman masama mangarap di ba ??? 

Here are some of Lutong Cavite’s dream:

1.    Implementation of a comprehensive Zero Waste and Recycling Management Program in each barangay, including a scheduled garbage collection system based on categorized waste. Non-compliance with waste segregation will result in non-collection.

2.    Enforcement of a city curfew for individuals aged 18 and below, with strict adherence to the curfew hours.

3.    Renovation and sanitation of Cavite City public market, modeled after the cleanest and most beautiful markets in the country.

4.    Provision of high school scholarships and allowances for the top three elementary graduates from all city public schools on a yearly basis.

5.    Granting four-year college scholarships to the top three students of Cavite National High School.

6.    Enactment of an ordinance mandating the inclusion of Chabacano language as a compulsory subject in basic and secondary education. Residents must learn the native language to live in Cavite City.

7.    Implementation of livelihood projects in every barangay, with the top three barangays earning the highest annual income from their products awarded cash prizes at the end of the year.

8.    Reduction of taxes for small businesses to encourage more Caviteños to become small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.

9.    Establishment of playgrounds in every barangay constructed using recycled materials.

10. Designation of a one-hour street cleaning schedule every Sunday, led by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman and barangay members.

11. Implementation of color coding for sidecars and tricycles per district.

12. Requirement for jeepney and baby bus drivers to wear decent uniforms or, at the very least, clean white shirts and shorts/pants, with identification cards.

13. Conducting outreach programs in the city's poorest areas, organized by churches and barangay officials.

14. Increased visibility of police officers on the streets, with 24/7 roving patrols, particularly in major thoroughfares.

15. Intensified anti-drug campaign to make the city drug-free.

16. Collaboration with local churches to ensure emergency preparedness, including stockpiling emergency supplies.

17. Mandatory cultivation of vegetables, fruits, or herbal plants in vacant lots and spaces. Failure to comply will result in penalties for the lot owner.

18. Establishment of mini libraries in each barangay to encourage reading, with free tutorial services provided by volunteer students and individuals on weekends.

19. Rehabilitation and construction of fire hydrants throughout the city.

20. Implementation of an ordinance prohibiting the use of streets as parking areas for any type of vehicle as well as obstructing eyesore objects on the streets. Non-compliance will result in penalties.

21. Creation of a registered tricycle service in each barangay, allowing residents to request pick-up through text messages, especially for late-night transportation needs.

22. Expansion of senior citizen discounts and privileges, including additional benefits for those reaching ages 80, 90, and 100.

23. Creation of the SK Empowerfund, which will invest in projects identified by the youth that address community issues within the barangays.

24. Provision of an Alternative Learning System for out-of-school children and youth aged 12-16.

25. Development of food and heritage city tourism initiatives to promote the city's unique culinary and cultural offerings.

26. Beautification efforts for Samonte Park to enhance its aesthetics and create a more inviting public space.

27. Conducting financial literacy seminars and workshops to educate residents about money management and economic empowerment.

28. Launching an art community project for city artists to promote the city's cultural heritage through various art forms.

29. Weekend city walking heritage tours for young students to appreciate and value the importance of preserving our city heritage.

30.  Added in 2021 : ASAP Revival of Dra. Salamanca Hospital and Cavite City Library  

12 Dream Cavite City activities:

Pet Celebration Day: A special event dedicated to all pet lovers in the city, featuring activities such as parade, free pet vaccinations, fun run for pets, pet games, and a pet costume contest.

Barangay Environment and Gardening Day : Environment day activities, Recognition and awarding of barangays who was able to sustain clean-up and environment programs for the entire year to help battling climate change.

Community Celebration Day: Samonte Park will be a whole day place for families with games, activities, inflatables, face painting, dance performances, magic acts, balloon animals, food booth and live music at night. 

Senior Citizens' Day: A day of recognition and appreciation for the elderly, with activities including sarsuela (local theatrical performance), zumba sessions, film screenings, ballroom dancing, feast of Caviteno foods, talents expositions and medical check-ups.

Youth Day: A festive celebration known as "Araw ng Kabataan," filled with exciting activities like dance and singing contests, cosplay competitions, dota tournament, and fliptop battles.

City Student's Day: An event dedicated to the students of public and private schools, featuring activities such as essay writing competitions, declamation contests, sports tournament, and art exhibitions showcasing drawings and paintings of city heritage.

Entrepreneur's Day: A platform to support and recognize budding city entrepreneurs of all ages, with each entrepreneur having their own selling booth. The top performers in terms of sales will receive cash prizes and gifts with financial and business seminars and training for all participants.

Monthly Cavite City Mega-Mercado : city and invited outside small and big vendors will get to sell their local quality produce and products every last Sunday of the month. From veggies, fruits, plants, decors, clothes, OTOP products, etc. 

Annual Food Festival: A much-awaited culinary event that brings together the popular and well-loved cooks from each barangay, showcasing the authentic and delicious Caviteño dishes unique to the city. Each barangay will be required to have at least one food booth. City food sellers and bakers will be encouraged to participate with discounted food items on sale as a way of promoting their food shops.  

Grand City Santacruzan: A yearly highly anticipated event organized by the city's Catholic churches, exclusively showcasing student muses from all private and public school to highlight the diversity of schools in the city.

Chavacano Song Writing/Music Festival: An annual competition during Cavite City month in both school and non-school categories, aiming to preserve and promote the Chabacano language through original song compositions and musical performances.

Cavite City Heritage Day : A whole day festival celebrating Cavite City's identity that allows younger generations to gain an appreciation of local history, and the senior generation an opportunity to renew its bonds with the past.

Maybe just maybe keeping fingers crossed that we can see some of this fulfilled in the near future.