PIA chief visits Caraga museums, vows support for cultural promotion
By NiΓ±a Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General Katherine Chloe S. De Castro visited Caraga’s regional museum and archaeological site on July 21, expressing deep admiration for the region’s vibrant cultural heritage and archaeological legacy.
Known for her personal fondness for museums, DG De Castro appreciated the rich and diverse culture of Caraga from the colorful patterned textiles weaved by the indigenous peoples of the region to the archaeological artifacts excavated right in Butuan City.
One of the treasured historical artifacts in Caraga is in the renowned Balangay Shrine in Barangay Paradise, Butuan City. Inside the shrine lies one of the eleven famed balangay boats—ancient maritime vessels dating back from the 8th to 10th centuries that highlighted Butuan’s role in early Southeast Asian trade.
The boat measured ten to fifteen meters in length with three to four meters width and was excavated in the current location of the Balangay shrine.
“It’s amazing how you were able to preserve this meters-long artifact in its current state where almost every part is still intact,” said De Castro.
Caraga, located in northeastern Mindanao, is home to diverse indigenous communities such as the Mamanwa, Manobo, Higaonon, Banwaon, Talaandig, and Mandaya. Their cultural expressions—ranging from intricate weaving and vibrant textiles to oral traditions, music, and spiritual rituals—are deeply rooted in reverence for nature and ancestral land.
De Castro commended the museum researchers who also served as cultural advocates for their dedication to preserving these traditions, noting that their work is vital in safeguarding the identity of Caraga’s people.
“We are very happy to receive PIA’s head of office together with her Caraga team here in our museum. We hope you had a wonderful time exploring the region’s rich cultural heritage and we look forward to having you with us again in the future. Salamat kadiyaw!,” Alven B. Magdua, museum researcher, expressed with enthusiasm during a brief interview.
Before leaving the museums, the director-general pledged PIA’s full commitment in contributing to the enrichment of the region’s cultural treasures through its media platforms. She assured stakeholders that the agency will collaborate to produce compelling content that brings Caraga’s heritage to national and global audiences.
“This is our shared mission,” De Castro affirmed. “We would love to be invited to your future activities so that, together, we can shine a spotlight on Caraga’s colorful culture and history for the world to see.” (NJGC/PIA Caraga)
