Angara tells Malacañang to help prevent ‘cultural bankruptcy’

The Aquino administration should invest in the preservation of the country’s cultural institutions so that Filipinos would be able to keep their “unique legacy" from their forefathers, Sen. Edgardo Angara said Sunday. The government should give much-needed attention to the National Library, National Archives, and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NCHP), Angara said on radio dzBB. “Our documents at the National Library are priceless. Original copies of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are there. Documents like these are destroyed due to lack of preservation," said Angara, head of Senate committee on education, arts, and culture. He also pointed out that the National Archives are rich in colonial history. “The Philippines has many Spanish colonial documents that Spanish scholars visit to research on. These documents may soon perish because they are not properly stored." Jose Rizal’s death will mark its 150th anniversary in 2011, and the government — through the NCHP — should celebrate his heroism, Angara also said. “I hope the administration would give funds to embassies abroad to celebrate Rizal’s death anniversary," he added. “We have to make the celebration universal and global." He said that investing in the preservation of the country’s heritage would prevent “cultural bankruptcy and keep our unique legacy. It is the foundation upon which we can trace our identity and plan our future." The country’s historical heritage seems to be something “many of us take for granted, something we let fade through time," Angara continued. “Many of our irreplaceable historical and national treasures either lay in shambles or are subject to constant neglect." Should the government invest in the country’s national heritage, overseas Filipino workers and even foreigners would have contact with and appreciate Filipino culture. Angara said that this would promote cultural tourism in the country. The senator earlier said that the government should train provincial museum curators to foster cultural heritage in various provinces. “This would also promote culture as a key driver in our tourism industry," he said. The most successful tourist destinations — Italy, Spain, and France — capitalize on their history, culture, and natural beauty, Angara said. Angara authored the legislation that created the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and has long been an advocate of promoting cultural tourism in the country. — With Jesse Edep/VS, GMANEws.TV