Philippine Historical Association to host nat’l conference on public history

The Philippine Historical Association (PHA) will gather historians, researchers and history/social science educators at the GSIS Museo ng Sining, Pasay City and the National Museum of Natural History for a national conference on the theme “Bridging the Gap: The Role of Academic and Public History in Shaping Nation” on September 20-22, 2018.

History is a field of continuing importance but in recent years, an increased interest in the past has been observed due in large part to social media and historians’ engagements in the public sphere. The role of academic historians in generating cutting-edge research remains of vital significance, but such research must be disseminated in ways suitable for the appreciation of the mass audience, as done by public historians.

On the other hand, while public history conveys the lessons of the past, it must balance the rigor of the academic discipline and the needs of the audience. The public historians’ direct link with the general public should also inform academic historians on the topics that require immediate scholarly attention. Academic and public history must therefore feed on each other. Such synergy will play a powerful role in creating an informed citizenry.

Furthermore, with the recent passing of the “Grand Old Lady of Public History” Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, the commemoration of the 100th death anniversary of pioneer public historian Mariano Ponce last May, and the recent debates on historical revisionism and negation, this is the appropriate time to look at the relevance of public history.  For technology has birthed new forms of telling history and thus, presents us with new challenges as well.  A collaboration between stakeholders of public history and the academe may enhance the effective and credible telling of our past.

Thus, the conference aims to:
1.     Determine the state of “Public History” in the Philippines.
2.     Identify trends in the development of public history.
3.     Recognize historians and other scholars doing research on public history.
4.     Serve as an outlet of cutting edge historical research.
6.     Provide a venue for collaboration and networking between the academe and various industries.

On the first day, September 20, 2018, Dr. Maria Serena I. Diokno, Professor of History at the University of the Philippines and former Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will keynote the event. 

Plenary Lectures will also be given on the first day by two of the foremost public historians of the country, Prof. Michael Charleston “Xiao” Chua of the De La Salle University Manila and Public Relations Officer of the Association will speak about “Kasaysayang Pangmadla: Towards Telling the History of Public History in the Philippines,” while Prof. Ambeth R. Ocampo, of the Ateneo de Manila University, also former Chairman of the NHCP and bestselling author and lecturer will talk about "The Future of History: Reflections on a Public Life.”  On the second day plenary session, famous celebrity and TV presentor Lourd Ernest de Veyra will give his experiences in presenting history in the media in “Telebisyon, Tambay, Talá: Kung Paano Tumatalakay ng Kasaysayan ang History with Lourd.”

The afternoon of the first day and the rest of the second day will be devoted to paper presentations in parallel sessions from various stakeholders such as academics, educators, local historians, heritage advocates and many others.  The end of the second day will be the General Assembly and business meeting of PHA members while the morning of the last day, September 22, 2018 will be devoted to a flower offering at the Rizal Monument, a walking lecture at the Rizal Park, and the tour of the new National Museum of Natural History.

The event is endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education and has an advisory issued by the Department of Education.

For queries and other information, please visit http://2018conference.pha1955.com or contact Dr. Fernando Santiago, Vice President of the Association and Conference Convenor, at 2018phaconference@gmail.com or Prof. Jonathan C. Balsamo, Secretary of the Association, at (+632) 587-5354, 0905-5762181.  The public is invited to join.

Press release from the Philippine Historical Association