In a landmark event for Philippine cultural preservation, the historic Makinaugalingon Press has been officially inscribed in the National Register of the Philippines' Memory of the World program. This prestigious recognition, conferred by UNESCO, aims to safeguard documentary heritage of global significance.
Ceremony Honors Press's Legacy
A formal ceremony was held on February 23, 2026 at the Ker Building in Iloilo City, bringing together city officials, cultural workers, academics, and descendants of the press's founder. The gathering celebrated the press's crucial role in shaping regional identity and meticulously documenting the social and political history of Western Visayas.
UNESCO Officials Lead Conferment
UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (Unacom) Secretary-General Ivan Henares and Professor Nick Deocampo, president of the Unesco National Commission's Memory of the World Committee, presided over the ceremony. They personally presented the certificate of inscription, which was received by Pilar Martinez on behalf of the Makinaugalingon Printing Press.
Professor Deocampo delivered heartfelt remarks praising Makinaugalingon as "a living record of public thought, debates, and aspirations" that captures the intellectual spirit of its era. He emphasized that this UNESCO inscription guarantees the press's preservation for future generations, ensuring its historical narratives remain accessible and protected.
Dual Recognition for Iloilo's Cultural Heritage
This UNESCO recognition specifically highlights the press's substantial contributions to Hiligaynon language and literature development. The inscription creates a powerful connection between Iloilo's documentary heritage and its earlier designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
Together, these two distinctions create a comprehensive celebration of Iloilo's cultural memory, honoring both the region's literary expressions through Makinaugalingon Press and its culinary traditions through the gastronomy designation. This dual recognition underscores how cultural preservation encompasses both words and flavors in telling the complete story of a community's identity.
The Memory of the World program inscription represents more than just archival protection—it validates the Makinaugalingon Press as an essential component of the Philippines' national heritage, worthy of international attention and conservation efforts for centuries to come.
