Legarda Hails PH Election to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee as Victory for Philippine Culture and the Arts

Four-term Senator Loren Legarda hailed the Philippines’ election to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (IGC-ICH) of UNESCO as “a resounding victory for Philippine culture and the arts,” following the country’s overwhelming election to the 24-member body for the 2026–2030 term.

The Philippines garnered 106 votes, or 68 percent of the 156 UNESCO Member States that cast valid ballots during the election at the 11th General Assembly of the States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, earning one of the four seats allocated to the Asia-Pacific region.

Legarda extended her warmest congratulations to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine National Commission for UNESCO (UNACOM), the Philippine Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and all Filipino cultural workers, artists, scholars, indigenous cultural communities, local government units, and heritage advocates whose collective efforts made the country’s election possible.

The IGC-ICH is the committee responsible for providing guidance on best practices and making recommendations on safeguarding cultural expressions, indigenous knowledge and traditional practices. It is also the committee which decides on nominations of cultural elements to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

“This is a proud moment for every Filipino. Our election is not merely a diplomatic achievement, it is the world’s recognition of the richness and diversity of Philippine culture. More importantly, it is a victory for every cultural worker, tradition bearer, artisan, indigenous community, and advocate who has dedicated themselves to preserving and promoting our living heritage,” Legarda said.

A longtime advocate of culture and heritage conservation, Legarda said the country’s election carries with it the responsibility to strengthen both international cooperation and domestic efforts to safeguard the nation’s intangible cultural heritage.

“The Philippines has long demonstrated that safeguarding intangible cultural heritage begins with empowering communities. Whether through our Schools of Living Traditions, the inscription of Aklan piña,Tugging rituals and games; the Hudhud chants of the Ifugao; Darangen epic of the Maranao people of Lake Lanao; Buklog, thanksgiving ritual system of the Subanen; the practice of making Asin Tibuok, the artisanal sea salt of the Boholano; and the School of Living Traditions among the various UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, we have remained consistent with our cause,” she added.

Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, has long championed policies and programs that safeguard the country’s cultural heritage. She co-authored the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 and principally sponsored and authored the Cultural Mapping Act. Under her leadership, the Senate also passed on third reading measures institutionalizing the Schools of Living Traditions and establishing the Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Center. (30)

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Legarda: Tagumpay ng Kulturang Pilipino ang Pagkakahalal ng PH sa UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee

Ipinahayag ni Senadora Loren Legarda na isang makasaysayang tagumpay para sa kultura at sining ng Pilipinas ang pagkakahalal ng bansa sa Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (IGC-ICH) ng UNESCO, matapos mahalal ang Pilipinas sa 24-member body para sa 2026–2030 term.

Nakakuha ang Pilipinas ng 106 boto, o 68 porsyento mula sa 156 miyembrong estado ng UNESCO na bumoto sa halalan sa ika-11 General Assembly of the States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, at nakamit ang isa sa apat na puwesto na nakalaan para sa Asia-Pacific region.

Nagpaabot ng mainit na pagbati si Legarda sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine National Commission for UNESCO (UNACOM), Philippine Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), at sa lahat ng Filipino cultural workers, artists, scholars, indigenous cultural communities, local government units, at heritage advocates na sama-samang nagtaguyod ng tagumpay ng bansa.

Ang IGC-ICH ang komiteng nagbibigay ng gabay sa pinakamahusay na praktis at rekomendasyon para sa pangangalaga ng mga pamanang kultural, kaalamang katutubo, at tradisyon. Ito rin ang komite na nagdedesisyon sa mga nominasyon ng cultural elements sa UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

“Isang karangalan ito para sa bawat Pilipino. Ang ating pagkakahalal ay hindi lamang diplomatikong tagumpay, kundi pagkilala ng mundo sa yaman at iba’t ibang anyo ng kulturang Pilipino. Higit sa lahat, ito ay tagumpay para sa bawat cultural worker, tradition bearer, artisan, indigenous community, at advocate na nag-alay ng sarili para mapanatili at maipagmalaki ang ating buhay na pamana,” ani Legarda.

Bilang matagal nang tagapagtanggol ng kultura at pamana, binigyang-diin ni Legarda na kaakibat ng pagkakahalal ang responsibilidad na palakasin ang internasyonal na kooperasyon at lokal na hakbang para sa pangangalaga ng intangible cultural heritage ng bansa.

“Matagal nang ipinapakita ng Pilipinas na ang pangangalaga sa intangible cultural heritage ay nagsisimula sa pagbibigay-lakas sa mga komunidad. Mula sa ating Schools of Living Traditions, sa pagkakabilang ng Aklan piña, Tugging rituals and games; ang Hudhud chants ng mga Ifugao; Darangen epic ng mga Maranao sa Lawa ng Lanao; Buklog, thanksgiving ritual system ng mga Subanen; ang paggawa ng Asin Tibuok, ang tradisyunal na asin ng mga Boholano; at ang Schools of Living Traditions sa iba’t ibang UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, nananatili tayong tapat sa ating layunin,” dagdag niya.

Bilang Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, matagal nang isinusulong ni Legarda ang mga polisiya at programang nagpoprotekta sa pamana ng bansa. Siya ang co-author ng National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 at principal sponsor at author ng Cultural Mapping Act. Sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno, naipasa rin sa Senado ang mga panukalang nag-iinstitusyonalisa sa Schools of Living Traditions at ang pagtatatag ng Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Center.