The Museo de la Unibersidad of the University of Northern Philippines spearheaded acapacity-building Training-Workshop titled “Panangilala: Basic Guidance on the Preventive Maintenance of Museum Collections” on January 9, 2026 at Diego Silang Hall, bringing together participants to strengthen knowledge and practices in the preservation and care of cultural and historical collections.
The training-workshop was highlighted by the expertise of Ms. Ma. Lourdes Ingel, an anthropologist and the current Officer-in-Charge of the National Museum of the Philippines–Ilocos, who served as the resource speaker and shared her extensive knowledge on museum preservation and collection care.
In her lecture, Ms. Ingel underscored that preventive maintenance extends far beyond the physical conservation of museum objects, as it likewise safeguards the narratives, meanings, and values that society has woven into its tangible heritage. She stressed that museums are fundamentally institutions in the service of society, with a vital role in engaging communities by presenting and sharing diverse cultural experiences with all who access them. In this context, she urged participants to critically reflect on their own roles as cultural bearers, particularly on how they have been transmitting their kannawidan—their cultural knowledge, traditions, and identity—to the younger generation.
She further stressed the importance of proper stewardship of cultural properties, noting that well-maintained collections enable heritage objects to endure beyond humanity’s finite lifespan and continue conveying their stories to future generations. In her discussion, she highlighted fundamental preservation practices, including the careful cleaning of ceramic and woven artifacts, regular monitoring of humidity and environmental conditions, and the implementation of consistent collection assessments. These measures, she explained, are vital in safeguarding cultural identity and ensuring that the narratives and values of communities remain preserved and accessible over time.
Later in the afternoon, the program shifted to interactive, hands-on workshop sessions that allowed participants to apply the principles discussed during the lecture. The activities focused on the proper handling and cleaning of museum collections, including ceramics, katukkong, and wooden ethnographic materials, highlighting the importance of careful and methodical preservation practices. The resource speaker also demonstrated basic yet essential techniques in photographing museum objects, highlighting documentation as a vital component of collection management and heritage conservation.
The workshop was attended by Museo de la Unibersidad personnel, on-the-job trainees, and students from the Master of Public Administration program major in Culture-Based Governance. The University museum is currently under the leadership of Dr. Santiago Reolalas.
