On behalf of Mayor Jesse M. Robredo who was on a separate speaking engagement in Manila, Naga City Vice Mayor Gabriel Hidalgo Bordado Jr. formally welcomed the top officials of the National Historical Institute (NHI) led by Chairman Ambeth Ocampo and Executive Director Ludovico Badoy along with the participants in the two-day seminar-workshop on local history writing held last week at the Naga College Foundation (NCF).

        Jointly sponsored by the NHI and the city government of Naga in cooperation with the NCF, the seminar-workshop drew participants from all over the country.

        Top historians Dr. Danilo Madrid Gerona and Prof. Carmel T. Padilla of Ateneo de Naga; Dr. Celestina Boncan, Dr. Rhina Boncocan, and Prof. Mary Jane B. Rodriguez Tatel of the University of the Philippines; Prof. Lars Raymund Ubaldo of St. Scholastica’s College; and Dr. Heidi Gloria of Ateneo de Davao composed the panel of speakers.

        In his speech, Bordado, who occasionally writes feature articles for regional and national publications and who is the voice behind the city government’s popular “Pagsalingoy” (Looking Back) aired over RMN-DWNX, invoked philosopher George Santayana’s admonition that those who do not study history are doomed to repeat the blunders of the past.

        Bordado also cited, among others, the pioneering works of Fr. James J. O’Brien, the very influential Jesuit priest who taught several generations of Bicolanos to appreciate their local culture and history, and Dr. Maria Lilia F. Realubit of the UP Diliman, who encouraged the publication of local history books.

        Bicol Mail Editor Jose B. Perez coordinated the activities of the seminar-workshop while former Councilor Jose Grageda acted as the moderator.


LOCAL HISTORY WRITING. Top photo shows Naga City Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado (left) and City Councilor Badette Roco (4th from left) posing with National Historical Institute Chairman Ambeth R. Ocampo (3rd from left) and two other participants during a break at the Seminar-Workshop on Local History Writing held October 16-17 at the Naga College Foundation Auditorium. At lower photo is NHI Executive Director Ludovico Badoy (center) obliging a photo shot with Bicol Mail Editor Joe Perez (right), local convenor of the activity, and Carminda Arevalo (right) of the NHI Research, Publication and Heraldry Division during the same occasion. The seminar workshop was sponsored by the NHI and the Naga City Government, in cooperation with the Naga College Foundation.

PHOTOS BY JOSE V. COLLERA