PHILIPPINE museums are in the process of getting an upgrade.

What used to be mere repositories of old books and antiques now have interactive displays and touchscreens that allow visitors to learn more about the venue. All 21 museums throughout the country are expected to sport the new changes by 2017.

In fact, two heritage houses in the town of Taal were recently modernized and reopened by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Both Museo nina Leon at Galicano Apacible and the Museo nina Marcela Marino at Felipe Agoncillo used to be the homes of the Apacible siblings and the Agoncillo couple, respectively.

While they have long been open to visitors, there were no storylines on view. One simply looked through the rooms and saw beds, tables and chairs. Now, there are narratives and wall texts that tell stories of the houses’ original occupants.

There are tour guides available as well although one has to make arrangements before visiting.

León Apacible was a delegate to the Malolos Congress and fought in Batangas during the 1896 Revolution. His brother Galicano was active in the Propaganda Movement and later chaired the Comite Central Filipino in Hong Kong, which sent munitions to the Filipino army and engaged in diplomatic activities to secure foreign recognition of Philippine sovereignty.

National seamstress

Schoolchildren may know Marcela Agoncillo as the seamstress of the Philippine flag together with her daughter Lorenza and José Rizal’s niece Delfina Herbosa de Natividad.

Marcela was also an accomplished homemaker who sewed her children’s clothes and helped augment the family’s income by making clothes for her neighbors when they lived in Hong Kong.

Visitors can learn about these and other little-known facts when they visit the house she shared with her husband Felipe, who led diplomatic activities in Europe during the war of the Philippines against the United States.

Both museums have since been outfitted with interactive features like light-and-sound presentations; stereoscopic devices and photographs; audiovisual rooms; and the aforementioned touchscreen terminals describing the different rooms and furniture.

The Apacible and Marino-Agoncillo museums are both located at Marcela Marino de Agoncillo Street in Taal, Batangas.

Read more: http://bit.ly/1O9EyoJ

MACABEBE, PAMPANGA ─  The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) led by  Chair Maria Serena I. Diokno,  unveils on Friday, 3 June 2016, the historical marker  “Ang Kabataang Pinuno ng Macebebe,” in Macabebe, Pampanga. The marker states:

ANG KABATAANG PINUNO NG MACABEBE

PINAMUNUAN ANG MAHIGIT 2,000 MANDIRIGMANG MORO BUHAT SA MACEBEBE, HAGONOY AT IBA PANG BAHAGI NG PAMPANGA PARA PALAYASIN ANG MGA ESPANYOL SA LUZON, 31 MAYO 1571.  HINIMOK SI LAKAN DULA NG TONDO NA SUMAMA SA KANYANG  KAMPANYA, NGUNIT NAKAPANUMPA NA ITO NG KATAPATAN SA MGA ESPANYOL, KASAMA SINA RAHA MATANDA AT RAHA SOLIMAN NG MAYNILA, TINANGGIHAN ANG ALOK NI GOB. HEN. MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGAZPI NA PAKIKIPAGKAIBIGAN AT HINAMON ITO SA ISANG LABANAN SA WAWA NG ILOG NG BANGKUSAY, TONDO, LOOK NG MAYNILA. NAPASLANG SA NATURANG LABANAN, KASAMA NG 300 IBA PANG MORO, 3 HUNYO 1571.

The marker will be officially turned over to the Municipality of Macabebe, Pampanga through Mayor Annette F. Balgan. SB Secretary Marion M. Yambao and NHCP Dep. Exec. Dir. Carminda R. Arevalo will stand as witnesses during the signing of the certificate of transfer.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research and publication, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.

For more information, contact the Commemoration and Museum Division at NHCP tel. nos. 2547482 loc 126/523-1019.

27 May 2016

Alapan, Imus, Cavite – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in cooperation with the City Government of Imus, will commemorate the celebration of the Pambansang Araw ng Watawat on 28 May 2016, 8:00 a.m., at the Dambana ng Pambansang Watawat/Heritage Park, Miguel Santo, Alapan II-B, City of Imus, Cavite.

Commemorative rites will be headed by former President Fidel V. Ramos, Executive Director Ludovico D. Badoy of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Governor Juanito Victor C. Remulla of Cavite, Imus City Mayor Emmanuel L. Maliksi, Vice Mayor Armando Ilano and Cesar EA Virata, President of the Cavite Historical Society and descendant of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.  They will be joined in by the representatives of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines in the pledge of allegiance to the Philippine Flag.

Every May 28 to June 12 is annually declared as National Flag Days, during which period all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of government, business establishments, institutions of learning and private homes are enjoined to display the flag by virtue of RA 8491 dated February 12, 1998 signed by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research and publication, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in coordination with the Municipal Government of Mauban, Quezon will lead the commemoration of the Birth Centenary of Fr. Horacio V. de la Costa, S.J., on 16 May 2016, at Mauban, Quezon.

Wreath-laying rites will be led by the guest of honor, NHCP Commissioner Rene R. Escalante.  He will be joined by Mauban Municipal Mayor Fernando Q. Llamas, and Gov. David C. Suarez of Quezon province.

A brief program will immediately follow with Mayor Llamas welcoming the guests and participants.  Governor Suarez and Dr. Rene R. Escalante will deliver their messages.  Mr. Lauro E. Villamayor, Jr., a descendant of Fr. Horacio de la Costa will give his response.

Horacio de la V. Costa was born to Judge Sixto de la Costa and Emiliana Villamayor in Mauban, Quezon.  A noted historian, he was the author of The Jesuits in the Philippines 1581-1768, The Trial of Dr. Rizal, Recent Oriental History, Readings in the Philippine History, The Background of Nationalism and Other Essays, and Asia and the Philippines.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research and publication, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.

The Museo ni Miguel Malvar, Sto. Tomas, Batangas-, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will launch a short film competition entitled, Malvar: Ikwento sa Sampung Minuto.  The 10-minute short film competition allows participants to creatively interpret the life and role of Malvar during the Philippine Revolution and War Against the United States, using video function of smart phones.

Interested participants may register online (http://goo.gl/forms/qd1quXYwdb) to join the competition.  Videos will be uploaded on the Facebook page of the Museo ni Miguel Malvar by its administrator, and the video that garners the most likes and shares from viewers will win the competition.

Participating in this competition encourages the Filipino people to deeply understand the life of Malvar.

For more details, visit and like the Museo ni Miguel Malvar Facebook page.

The Museo ni Miguel Malvar is administered by the NHCP, the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research and publication, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.

CAVITE – The 119th Death Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio was commemorated on 10 May 2016 at the Museo ng Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio, Maragondon, Cavite.

Simple wreath laying rites was led by Maragondon Municipal Mayor Reynaldo A. Rillo, Mrs. Gina C. Batuhan, Chief of the Commemoration and Museum Division and Dr. Dae Distrito-Morales, descendant of Andres Bonifacio.

A brief program followed, with Mayor Rillo welcoming the guests and participants while Mrs. Batuhan delivered the inspirational message. Dr. Morales gave her message of thanks for remembering Andres Bonifacio.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research and publication, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.

BADOC, ILOCOS NORTE – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will open the modernized Museo nina Juan at Antonio Luna at Rizal Street, Badoc, Ilocos Norte on 27 April 2016 at 11:00 a.m.

The Luna brothers engaged in the reform and the revolutionary movements aimed at securing Philippine independence.  Juan Luna became renowned for his excellence in painting. Many of his works, such as the Spoliarium, the Blood Compact, and the Death of Cleopatra, won awards in various expositions abroad. In 1898, he became a diplomat of the Philippines. At the request of his brother Antonio, he designed the uniforms of the Philippine army.

Antonio Luna, an accomplished pharmacist, was active in the Propaganda movement in Spain. He was arrested for suspected complicity to the revolution in 1896. After his release, he joined the Philippine revolution as editor-in-chief of the revolutionary newspaper La Independencia, as a member of the Malolos Congress, and a general of the Philippine army. His 150^th birth anniversary will be commemorated on October 29.

The museum, located in the reconstructed brick house of the Luna family, relates the life and career of the brothers through various displays and interactive exhibits. A reconstruction of Juan’s Paris studio and an augmented-reality simulation of trench warfare are among the museum’s new features. The museum also has an e-learning facility where students can access the NHCP’s online lessons on Philippine history.

Maria Isabel Ongpin, a descendant of Juan and Antonio’s brother Jose, is guest of honor.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research and publication, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.

Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria and NHCP Chair Maria Serena I. Diokno led the guests at the launch of the Museo nina Leon at Galicano Apacible and Museo nina Marcela at Felipe Agoncillo, in Taal, Batangas on 20 April 2016.

Malolos, Bulacan – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in coordination with the Provincial Government of Bulacan and the City Government of Malolos spearheaded the commemorative rites for the 150^th birth anniversary of Gen. Isidoro Torres on 10 April 2016, 8:00 a.m. at Barangay Matimbo, Malolos City, Bulacan.

Secretary Mario G. Montejo, led the wreath-laying activity.  NHCP Executive Director Ludovico D. Badoy, Malolos City Mayor Christian D. Natividad and other local officials from Bulacan joined the fitting commemorative rites to honor Gen. Torres.

Mayor Natividad welcomed the guests and participants during the program.  Secretary Montejo in his message gave tribute to the bravery and perseverance of Gen. Torres.

Isidoro Torres was born on 10 April 1866 to Florencio Torres and Maria Dayao. He first studied under Maestro Jose Reyes in the town of Malolos and later at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sto. Tomas.

In 1890, Torres served as Cabeza de Barangay at the age of 24 and held the position for two years. With the nom de guerre Matang Lawin, he joined the Katipunan with Deodato Arellano, Doroteo Karagdag, Juan de Leon and Manuel Crisostomo, organizing its Bulacan chapter, the Sanguniang Lalawigang Balangay Apoy, in March 1896.

He actively participated in numerous battles in Kalumpit, San Rafael, Paombong, and Malolos, 1896-1899.  Torres was promoted to Colonel during the Republic of Biak-na-Bato, 1897.  He became a delegate to the Malolos Congress, and served as Gobernador Militar de la Plaza with the responsibilities as Brigadier General in 1898 and Politico Military Governor in 1899.  He employed guerilla warfare when Malolos was occupied by the American forces in 1899.  Later, he served as Juez  Paz at San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, in 1909-1912.  He died on 5 December 1928.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research and publication, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.

BATAAN – President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the Araw ng Kagitingan rites at Mt. Samat Shrine, Pilar, Bataan on 9 April 2016 at 10:00 in the morning. This year’s theme is “Isabuhay ang Kagitingan, Kapayapaan ay Pagkaisahan, Kamtin ang Mithing Kaunlaran.”

Part one of the program will be the awarding of winners of the painting and essay writing contests by Department of Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro, to be assisted by Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs, Department of National Defense, Jesus C. Millan, and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina.  The awarding of winners on the oratorical contest will be done by VFP Sons and Daughters Association, Inc., Executive Vice President Ms. Estrella DL Santos to be assisted by Undersecretary Millan and Administrator Carolina.

The second part of the program will be the wreath-laying ceremonies to be led by President Aquino.  He will be joined by the Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa and the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research and publication, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.

TAAL, BATANGAS – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will open the modernized Museo nina Leon at Galicano Apacible and Museo nina Marcela Mariño at Felipe Agoncillo, both on Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo Street in Taal, Batangas on 20 April 2016 at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., respectively.

The Museo nina Leon at Galicano Apacible is located at the house of Leon Apacible, a delegate to the Malolos Congress who also fought in Batangas during the 1896 revolution. His brother, Galicano, was active in the Propaganda movement and later chaired the Comité Central Filipino in Hong Kong, which sent munitions to the Filipino army and engaged in diplomatic activities to secure foreign recognition of Philippine sovereignty.

The Museo nina Marcela Mariño at Felipe Agoncillo is located at the house where Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo, the seamstress of the Philippine flag, grew up. Her husband, Felipe Agoncillo, led diplomatic activities in Europe during the war of the Philippines against the United States. He is best known for campaigning against the Treaty of Paris signed on 10 December 1898.

Both museums include various interactive features such as a light-and-sound presentation, stereoscopic devices and photographs, audio-visual rooms, and touchscreen terminals describing the rooms and furniture of the living quarters.

Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria, Chief of Presidential Protocol, is guest of honor.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research and publication, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.

BULAKAN, BULACAN – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will open the modernized Museo ni Marcelo H. Del Pilar in Sitio Cupang, Brgy. San Nicolas, Bulakan, Bulacan on 18 March 2016 at 11:00 a.m.

Marcelo H. Del Pilar was known for his staunch opposition to Spanish oppression. He established the nationalist newspaper Diariong Tagalog in 1882 and wrote various anti-clerical pamphlets such as Cai-igat Cayo, Dasalan at Tocsohan, Kadakilaan ng Diyos, La Soberania Monacal, at La Frailocracia Filipinas. From November 1889 to its closure in November 1895, he was editor-in-chief of La Solidaridad, a bi-monthly periodical which reported the sad state of the country at the time.

The museum, which is located at the site of his birth, tells the life of Del Pilar through various artifacts, art installations and interactive displays. The museum also has an e-learning facility where students can access the NHCP’s online lessons on Philippine history.

A brief program will precede the opening of the museum, with Randolf S. David, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of the Philippines, Diliman as guest of honor.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote and preserve Philippine historical heritage through research and publication, conservation, marking of historic sites and structures, and administration of national shrines and museums.