"NATIONAL TREASURES: A Journey Through History" (Ep. # 1) - Part 4 of 4

Summary

The video script explores the remarkable achievements of early Filipinos in the Cordillera region and Ifugao province, highlighted by the awe-inspiring rice terraces. These ancient structures, a testament to determination and hard work, were built by families without central authority, creating a monumental landscape that connects nature and culture. The script also delves into the efforts to preserve this World Heritage site, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and cultural pride in sustainable development. It underscores the need to balance development with heritage conservation to maintain the Philippines' rich cultural identity.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ The Ifugao Rice Terraces in the Cordillera region of the Philippines are a testament to the early Filipinos' determination and hard work, showcasing their ability to adapt and thrive in a challenging environment.
• 🌾 The terraces were not built by a central authority but were the result of individual families working on their own plots, gradually creating a monumental landscape.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 These ancient structures serve as a link between the early Filipinos and the outside world, indicating interactions and trade with lowlanders through the discovery of similar ceramics.
• 🧭 Dr. Steven Ichabod Oh and his team are part of a new generation of archaeologists exploring the historical period of Ifugao and the origins of the rice terraces, aiming to document a pre-Hispanic Ifugao village.
• 🏡 The Old Karen Village was chosen as the first site for the archaeological project due to legends and songs that mention it as the first settlement, indicating its historical significance.
• 📊 Landscape modeling and archaeological findings suggest that the settlers of the region were already rice producers, possibly from areas like Rabaya, Vizcaya, or Isabella, and brought their knowledge of rice terrace construction with them.
• 🏛️ The rice terraces are estimated to be about 750 years old, based on the artifacts and structures found, making them an ancient and enduring part of Filipino culture.
• 🌱 The conservation efforts of the local community, in collaboration with national and local governments, have been recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for their high level of achievement.
• 👵 Key figures like Representative Teddy Baguilat Jr. have played a significant role in maintaining the cultural heritage and promoting conservation efforts, including the development of a master plan in consultation with the community.
• 🌐 The preservation of the rice terraces is not just about maintaining an ancient practice but also about balancing development with cultural identity and ensuring the well-being of the Ifugao people.
• 📚 The script emphasizes the importance of understanding and taking pride in one's cultural heritage as a foundation for sustainable development and global well-being.

Q & A

What is the significance of the rice terraces in the Cordillera region of the Philippines?

The rice terraces in the Cordillera region are a testament to the determination and hard work of early Filipinos. They represent a monumental human achievement, where families built terraces to cultivate rice, conquering a difficult environment without central authority.

How did the construction of the rice terraces begin?

The construction of the rice terraces began with individual families working on their own plots. As they developed, these small-scale efforts eventually covered entire mountain sites, creating the impressive landscape seen today.

What role do the rice terraces play in connecting the early Filipinos with the outside world?

The rice terraces serve as a monument that links the early Filipinos with the outside world, showcasing their cultural achievements and interactions with other groups, as evidenced by the discovery of trade ceramics.

Why did Dr. Steven Ichabod Oh and his team choose the old Karen village for their archaeological project?

The old Karen village was chosen for the archaeological project due to legends, customary songs, and chants that mention it as the first Ifugao village. This, along with the discovery of trade ceramics, indicates historical interactions with lowlanders.

How old are the rice terraces according to Dr. Steven Ichabod Oh's research?

Dr. Steven Ichabod Oh's research suggests that the rice terraces are approximately 750 years old, based on his findings and conservative estimates.

What was the role of the local community in removing the rice terraces from the World Heritage in Danger list?

The local community played a crucial role in the conservation efforts that led to the rice terraces being removed from the World Heritage in Danger list in 2012. Their work in the fields was instrumental in this achievement.

How did the national and local governments contribute to the conservation of the rice terraces?

The national and local governments provided significant support and investment into the province of Ifugao, focusing on the conservation of the rice terraces. They helped craft and implement a master plan that underwent extensive consultations with various stakeholders.

What challenges does the Ifugao culture face in preserving the rice terraces?

The Ifugao culture faces challenges such as the migration of families to lowlands, the adoption of Christianity which led to the abandonment of traditional rites, and a shift in focus away from rice fields. These factors threaten the preservation of the rice terraces.

What is the importance of cultural heritage in sustainable development according to the script?

Cultural heritage is crucial for sustainable development as it provides a sense of identity and well-being. It is the basis for cultural diversity and productivity, which are essential for sustainable progress.

What does the script suggest about the advanced culture of Filipinos before colonization?

The script suggests that Filipinos had a highly advanced culture before the arrival of colonizers, which was not necessarily in the terms that Europeans considered as 'civilized' but was a rich and significant part of their own cultural identity.

Why is it important for Filipinos to take pride in their heritage according to the script?

Taking pride in their heritage is important for Filipinos because it fosters a sense of commitment and excellence, which are necessary for sustainable development and the preservation of their cultural identity.

Outlines

00:00

🌾 The Legacy of the Rice Terraces of Ifugao

The speaker reflects on the remarkable achievements of early Filipinos, particularly in the Cordillera region and Ifugao province, where the rice terraces stand as a testament to their determination and hard work. These terraces, built without central authority by individual families, have created a stunning landscape that merges nature and culture. The speaker highlights the work of Dr. Steven Ichabod Oh, an archaeologist investigating the historical period and origins of the terraces. The old Karen village is chosen for a significant archaeological project, aiming to document a pre-Hispanic Ifugao village. The speaker also discusses the importance of the rice terraces as a link between early Filipinos and the outside world, and the significance of the terraces being approximately 750 years old. The narrative includes a visit with a heritage specialist, Joy, who has been involved in the conservation efforts of the terraces, emphasizing the role of local communities in their preservation.

05:02

🏞️ Conservation and Community Efforts at the Rice Terraces

The focus of this paragraph is on the collaborative efforts that led to the removal of the rice terraces from the World Heritage in Danger list in 2012. It underscores the importance of the local community's work in the fields and the support from national and local governments. The World Heritage Committee commended the Philippines for the high level of conservation achieved through these efforts. Representative Ladybug Gillett Jr. is acknowledged for his role in maintaining the conservation mindset and in crafting a conservation plan that involved consultations with various stakeholders. The paragraph also touches on the challenges faced by the Ifugao people, including migration to lowlands and the impact of Christianity on traditional practices. The importance of cultural appreciation and economic options for rice terrace farmers is discussed, as well as the need to balance development with preserving cultural identity. The speaker visits various rice terrace sites with Joy, observing the vibrant Ifugao culture and the efforts to teach the younger generation about the importance of preserving their heritage.

10:03

📚 Uncovering the Rich Cultural Heritage of the Philippines

The final paragraph delves into the broader context of Philippine cultural heritage and identity. It references the work of Dr. Canady, who emphasizes the importance of pride in one's heritage for sustainable development and excellence. The speaker connects the advanced culture of pre-colonial Filipinos with contemporary Filipino identity, challenging the Eurocentric view of civilization. The paragraph concludes with a call to join the speaker on future journeys to uncover more stories of national treasures, hinting at the wealth of cultural discovery that the Philippines offers beyond its natural beauty.

Keywords

💡Cordillera region

The Cordillera region is a significant geographical area in the Philippines, known for its mountainous terrain and the famous Ifugao Rice Terraces. In the video, it is highlighted as a place where early Filipinos demonstrated remarkable achievements before the arrival of Spanish colonizers. The region is central to the narrative as it showcases the ingenuity and hard work of the indigenous people in creating the rice terraces, which are now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

💡Ifugao Rice Terraces

The Ifugao Rice Terraces are an ancient farming system built into the mountains of Ifugao, Philippines. They are referred to in the script as a 'monument to life' and a testament to the determination and hard work of the early Filipinos. The terraces are not only an agricultural marvel but also a cultural heritage that links the past with the present, illustrating the video's theme of the rich history and cultural identity of the Filipino people.

💡Dr. Steven Ichabod Oh

Dr. Steven Ichabod Oh is mentioned as a representative of a new generation of archaeologists investigating the historical period of Ifugao and the origins of the rice terraces. His work is significant as it contributes to the understanding of the pre-Hispanic Ifugao village, which is the first of its kind in Philippine history and archaeology. His research is integral to the video's exploration of the cultural and historical significance of the rice terraces.

💡Landscape modeling

Landscape modeling is a technique used to understand and analyze the physical features of an area and how they have changed over time. In the context of the video, it is used to estimate the age of the rice terraces, suggesting they are about 750 years old. This method is crucial for dating the terraces and understanding the historical timeline of the Ifugao region, which is a key aspect of the video's narrative on the heritage and identity of the Filipino people.

💡World Heritage in Danger list

The World Heritage in Danger list is a designation by UNESCO for cultural or natural sites that are at risk of disappearing. The video discusses how the Ifugao Rice Terraces were removed from this list in 2012 due to the efforts of the local community. This achievement underscores the video's message about the importance of local community involvement in the preservation of cultural heritage and the sustainable development of the region.

💡Conservation

Conservation in the video refers to the efforts to preserve and protect the Ifugao Rice Terraces as a cultural and natural heritage site. The script highlights the role of various stakeholders, including the local community, national government, and international organizations, in maintaining the terraces. Conservation is a central theme of the video, emphasizing the need to balance development with the protection of cultural and natural heritage.

💡Cultural identity

Cultural identity is a recurring theme in the video, referring to the unique cultural characteristics and heritage of a group of people. The Ifugao Rice Terraces are presented as a symbol of the Filipino cultural identity, linking the past achievements of the early Filipinos to the present. The video suggests that understanding and preserving this cultural identity is essential for sustainable development and the well-being of the nation.

💡Sustainable development

Sustainable development is mentioned in the context of balancing economic growth with environmental protection and cultural preservation. The video argues that the Ifugao Rice Terraces can only be preserved if there is a balance between development and conservation. This concept is integral to the video's message about the importance of cultural diversity and productivity for the long-term well-being of the community and the nation.

💡Heritage

Heritage in the video is used to describe the cultural and historical legacy of the Filipino people, particularly in relation to the Ifugao Rice Terraces. The script emphasizes the importance of taking pride in one's heritage and the role it plays in fostering a sense of identity and commitment to excellence. Heritage is portrayed as a key element in understanding the past and shaping the future of the Filipino people.

💡Dr. Canady

Dr. Canady is cited in the video as an authority on the importance of national pride and commitment to cultural heritage. The video quotes Dr. Canady to emphasize that pride in one's country leads to commitment and excellence, which are essential for sustainable development. His perspective is used to reinforce the video's message about the value of cultural heritage and the need for pride in being Filipino.

Highlights

The rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are a testament to the determination and hard work of early Filipinos.

These terraces were not built by central authority but by individual families working on their own plots.

The terraces are a monumental human achievement that started with the basic need to feed families.

Dr. Steven Ichabod Oh is part of a new generation of archaeologists investigating the historical period of Ifugao and the origins of the rice terraces.

The old Karen village is chosen as the first site for a pre-Hispanic Ifugao village documentation.

Findings suggest that the settlers had interactions with lowlanders, as evidenced by the discovery of trade ceramics.

The Ifugao settlers were likely already rice producers before they settled in the region.

The rice terraces are estimated to be about 750 years old based on archaeological findings.

The terraces were removed from the World Heritage in Danger list in 2012 due to community efforts.

The local community, along with national and local governments, played a crucial role in the conservation of the terraces.

Representative Ladybug Gillett Jr. emphasizes the importance of national attention and investment into the conservation of the rice terraces.

The Ifugao culture is alive and well, with the new generation being taught about the importance of preserving their heritage.

Preserving heritage is dependent on meeting people's needs and expectations, as well as strengthening cultural appreciation.

The speaker reflects on the importance of understanding the past to appreciate the richness of Filipino culture.

The Philippines is central to the history of Southeast Asia, with a rich cultural heritage that extends beyond its beaches and islands.

Dr. Canady suggests that pride in one's heritage is essential for sustainable development and global well-being.

The journey concludes with a call to join the next episode to uncover more stories behind the nation's treasures.

Transcripts

for me however the supreme example of

what early Filipinos accomplished before

the coming of our Spanish colonizers can

be found in the mountains of the

Cordillera region and the province of

Ifugao this is where I near the end of

my journey the rice terraces of the

Philippine Cordilleras demonstrate what

our forefathers achieved through

determination and hard work by

conquering an impossibly difficult

environment because they had to plant

rice what happened was this family built

their own terraces but it was not done

by central authority it's this little

families working their own plots and

slowly as they develop terraces it

covered mountain sites now it looks

monumental to us a human achievement but

actually it started with one man trying

to feed his family

indeed the rice terraces are a very

special place it is one of the last

remaining examples in the world where

nature and culture have joined together

to produce an incredibly beautiful

landscape it is a monument to life this

is also a monument that links the early

Filipino with the outside world and we

see this in dark illogical record dr.

Steven Ichabod Oh of the University of

Guam represents a new generation of

archaeologists who have been looking

into this historical period of if ago

and the origins of the rice terraces we

hope to document a pre-hispanic if you

go village and this will be the very

first one in philippine history and

archaeology we chose the old karen

village as the first site for they

forgot archaeological project because of

legends and customary songs or chance

the alum and the bell tone mentioning

the old karen village as the first

difficult village and what's interesting

is we are finding bowls that are copies

of trade where ceramics and that

indicates that the people who settled

here had interactions with the

lowlanders based on this and landscape

modeling that i've been doing for the

past ten years i think that they forgot

who finally settled this region were

already rice producers they were

probably living in somewhere in rabaa

Vizcaya or isabella and then when the

spanish started or pushed to the north

they some of them went up and joined the

villages that were already here

small-scale villages and since they were

rice eaters they started producing or

ulta vaiting rice and they already have

the technology to construct rice

terraces

we think that the rice terraces at least

what I've found so far including banal

way and the artifacts that we find here

my conservative estimate the terraces

would be about 750 years old it has been

almost a decade since I stood alone on

this very spot to marvel at this world

heritage site which is unparalleled in

the world for its sheer beauty and scale

this time around I'm returning with a

traveling companion join Minh and hiya

one of the few professional heritage

specialists in the country who are set

high standards for the practice of

conservation

she is also a very respected technical

adviser for e-commerce the international

NGO that advises the UNESCO World

Heritage Committee on cultural heritage

issues joy is the perfect person to talk

to about the terraces and how the fol

community worked together for 12 years

until the terraces were removed from the

world heritage in danger list in 2012 I

think we should put emphasis on the fact

that it was the people working in the

fields that made it possible to remove

the site from the list of world heritage

in danger we also would like to

acknowledge the work of our national

government they have helped a lot and

the local government in fact the World

Heritage Committee paid the Philippines

the highest compliment by pointing out

that the rice terraces stands out as one

of the rare global examples of achieving

conservation to a high level through

local community efforts one of the key

figures responsible for maintaining this

mindset is representative ladybug

Gillett jr. I am happy that at this time

we were able to get national attention

finally investment into the province of

Ifugao focus on the rice terraces based

on the conservation plan which we

crafted in 2004 the master plan which we

finalized underwent a lot of

consultations with the farmers

themselves tribal leaders the village

elders and the local chief executives my

trip to fuga also includes a meeting

with Manitoulin whom i met many years

ago from him i have imbibed what it is

to be phu khao he tells in his thoughts

about the future of the rice terraces

and the culture he so dearly treasures

after this length of time and the fact

that some water people have already done

outside of preference they no longer

caring for them on rice fields so

instead of coming back to the village to

work on the rice fields many of our

families have migrated to the lowlands

when we adopted Christianity we no

longer practices traditional rites for

sickness or agricultural rights or our

prestige right where they were do they

have some Ifugao lose that preserving

heritage is actually dependent also on

on meeting people's needs and

expectations aside from exploring more

economic options for rice terraces so

farmers we really have to still

strengthen that waka sea for

appreciation and culture and how our

ties to the rice terraces also helps

strengthen our family ties and that to

me is challenging because it's not

quantifiable in terms of economic terms

as we visit the various rice terraces

sites joy and I are heartened to see

that if allow culture is alive and well

and that the new generation of Ifugao

are being taught in schools about the

importance of preserving their heritage

at the end of the day the rice terraces

will not be there if there is no balance

if we only think about development that

we don't think about where we came from

and what we are all about our identity

as people as I add my journey I find

myself back at the National Museum to

view its priceless archaeological

treasures

but now I do so with the better

understanding of their significance in

telling the story of our origins a rich

cultural heritage and ultimately our

identity as a people we are learning

that the Philippines is more central to

the history of this part of the world

then most people initially thought it is

a popular notion that just because you

have 7100 islands you have 7,107 beaches

that's not just what the Philippines is

about the Philippines is in fact a

treasure trove of cultural discovery in

annotating morges book Rizal also wrote

that to understand the soul of a nation

it is necessary to open the book of its

past if you don't learn from our past

then this is not know forwarded the acid

acid is all said he was approaching the

problem of trying to show the greatness

of the Filipino past by using a

scientific apparatus and in this I think

he was in successful now if we sell new

and had the centuries before the

sixteenth century he could now it tells

so much about those cultures ancestral

Filipinos then the more that he has

rested his case

so Rizal was right after all we

Filipinos before the coming of our

colonizers did in fact have a highly

advanced culture although not in terms

that Europeans would have considered as

civilized

if wearing silk and wearing gold is

being civilized then we were civilized

but then that's part of our culture

Filipino culture is the wellspring of

national and global well-being and to

realize this we have to have pride in

our heritage in being Filipinos because

according to dr. Canady and apologies if

you are proud of your country he will be

committed deed and commitment brings

about excellence so that we will really

be able to develop in a sustainable way

because cultural diversity cultural

productivity is really the basis of

sustainable development I hope you can

join me in our next episode as I go on

another journey to uncover the stories

behind our national treasures

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