The UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM), in collaboration with the Philippine National Memory of the World (MoW) Committee, formally launched the UNESCO MoW Programme on April 29, 2025, at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Double Dragon Tower, DD Meridian Park, Pasay City. 

This landmark event marks a pivotal step in the Philippines’ commitment to preserving its rich documentary heritage and promoting greater public awareness of its universal value. The Memory of the World Programme is a global UNESCO initiative dedicated to identifying, preserving, and providing access to invaluable documentary legacies—from rare manuscripts and photographs to audiovisual recordings, scientific breakthroughs, and digital archives. 

With over 150 participants in attendance, the launch gathered members of the Diplomatic Corps, government officials, librarians, archivists, historians, educators, media professionals, and heritage advocates—all united in championing the protection of Philippine documentary treasures. 

A key feature of the event was “Pagpaparangal sa Pambansang Pamanang Dokumentaryo”, a special tribute to the custodians of nine (9) Philippine documentary collections inscribed in the UNESCO MoW International, Regional, and National Registers. 

Among those honored was Central Philippine University (CPU), represented by Prof. Cynthia T. Peleña, Director of Libraries. CPU received recognition for its role as custodian of the Hinilawod Epic Chants Recording of the Panay Bukidnon, a significant piece of the nation’s indigenous oral tradition. 
 
Other than CPU, other awardees include National Artist Ramon Santos, descendants of traditional epic chanters from Iloilo, and major cultural institutions such as the National Library of the Philippines, National Museum of the Philippines, Culion Museum and Archives, and the UP Center for Ethnomusicology. 

This launch not only celebrates our collective memory but also calls for continued vigilance and cooperation in preserving the documentary foundations of our national identity. 

For more information, you can visit UNESCO Philippines’ page through this link: 
https://www.unesco.gov.ph/2025/05/philippines-launches-the-unesco-memory-of-the-world-programme/ 

Photo credits: https://www.facebook.com/unacomph