The University of the Philippines Visayas – Center for West Visayan Studies in partnership with the National Museum of the Philippines – Iloilo brought to UPV Antique Extension Campus in Nauring, Pandan, Antique the Pambasang Museo sa Barangay (PMB) that runs from October 7-11, 2024. The PMB project is an initiative of NMP - Iloilo that aims to bring museum experience to communities. Local partners for this project in Pandan are the DepEd Schools Division of Antique - District of Pandan, the Local Government Unit of Pandan, and the Philippine Initiative for the Conservation of the Environment and the People (PHILINCON).
The PMB display is consisted of five museum boxes featuring the replicas of Oton Gold Death Mask, a National Cultural Treasure; the fossil molars of elephants and stegodonts recovered in Cabatuan; Haból Panay, the textile heritage of Western Visayas; and diorama of forest habitat showcasing the endemic plants and animals in the region. Alongside, is the display of skulls of endemic fauna species found in the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park (NPPN) and the equipment used PHILINCON forest rangers and researchers in the field for conservation activities. Video-documentaries, lectures, and workshops (leaf art, sandbox archaeology, rock art, and color your heritage) complement the exhibits.
UPV-CWVS Director Asst. Prof. Frances Anthea Redison gave the welcome message and a brief overview of the project during the opening program attended by school heads, student council officers, and representatives from LGU Pandan. Dr. Generosa Condez, the Schools District Supervisor of Pandan, expressed her gratitude to the NMP and UPV- CWVS for the opportunity given to learners for a museum experience and she hopes that there will be another PMB to cater to learners from other towns. Atty. Ma. Cecilia Tirol, Director of NMP – Visayas Museums, highlighted the initiative of the agency to bring museum experience to the grassroots. She also looked forward to more partnerships with focus on natural and cultural heritage conservation. In behalf of the Local Government Unit of Pandan, Antique, Mayor Tomas U. Estoperez, Jr. expressed his support to the various initiatives implemented by UPV, DepEd, and other government agencies.
The activity is line with the celebration of the Indigenous Peoples Month and Museums and Galleries Month this October with CWVS activities focusing on natural heritage conservation and cultural connectedness, two interconnected concepts essential for sustaining biodiversity, cultural traditions, and identity.
