Senator Loren Legarda passionately advocated for cultural preservation as a vital investment for the nation’s future at the ‘Cultural Thoughts and Trajectories’ event held at Manila House on February 26, 2025. Organised in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to celebrate National Arts Month, the gathering brought together policymakers, diplomats, cultural leaders, and academics to discuss enhancing Filipino identity in a changing global landscape.
In her keynote address, Legarda opened with a striking description of the ancient Rice Terraces in the Philippine Cordilleras, illustrating ancestral wisdom as a balm for contemporary issues. “These terraces endure because of people who understood sustainability, engineering, and balance long before the world had the language for it,” she stated. She emphasised that the preservation of knowledge, traditions, and stories is crucial as they will shape the lives of future generations.
Awarded the prestigious Dangal ng Haraya Award, Legarda framed cultural preservation as both a cornerstone of national resilience and a wellspring of innovation. She asserted, “The Philippines carries a different wealth: a soft power that endures rather than conquers, that inspires rather than imposes.” This, she believes, holds untold answers for the challenges future generations will face.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, Legarda has championed significant legislation, including the National Cultural Heritage Act and the Cultural Mapping Law. These initiatives promote a comprehensive inventory of Filipino heritage, with her advocacy expanding to community-led projects, sustainable development, and international cultural diplomacy. She revealed, “But culture is not mere adornment; it is an engine of livelihood and economic growth,” stressing the need for robust support for cultural practitioners.
The event underscored Legarda’s role in raising the Philippines’ profile globally, from its reentry to the Venice Biennale in 2015 to being the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025. Her initiatives, like Sentro Rizal and the Philippine Studies Program, institutionalise Filipino culture’s study across various global platforms.
In her capacity as UNDRR Global Champion for Resilience, Legarda highlighted the important intersection of culture and climate action, stating, “Integrating cultural heritage into climate action may be the key to resilience.” Her collaborations with universities have influenced national conservation policies, blending indigenous wisdom with modern science for sustainable resource management.
After her address, National Artist Virgilio Almario and NCCA Chair Victorino Mapa Manalo engaged the audience with their insightful lectures. The event concluded with a robust open forum, reinforcing a collective commitment to properly embrace cultural preservation as an integral part of national development.
At the ‘Cultural Thoughts and Trajectories’ event, Senator Loren Legarda highlighted cultural preservation as a pivotal investment for the nation’s future. She connected ancestral wisdom to modern challenges and championed initiatives that foster economic growth and climate resilience. Her advocacy promotes cultural legislation and global representation, emphasising the importance of embedding cultural heritage into national development strategies.
Senator Loren Legarda’s keynote speech at the ‘Cultural Thoughts and Trajectories’ event emphasised the importance of cultural preservation as a strategic national investment. She invoked ancestral wisdom as a guide for future generations facing new challenges, positioning preservation as vital for resilience and innovation. Her advocacy through legislation and global initiatives highlights the intrinsic connection between culture, economic growth, and climate resilience, fostering a national identity to be cherished and sustained.
Original Source: www.manilatimes.net
