Rivera, Francesca Louise M.
2011-02260
Archaeology 1
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Binalot Talk (4 September 2013)

Penablanca at ang Kayamanang Arkeolohikal Nito

The speaker talked about how the locals in the Penablanca area had no role in the archaeological research done right in their backyard. They remain ignorant about the importance of the archaeological research done in their own town. They also can’t take care of their own resources – leading to its ultimate destruction because the locals don’t understand its importance, hence they neglect it.

The speaker herself admitted that for the longest time she remained ignorant of the rich archaeological treasure right in her own childhood town. She noted that she and her cousins used to play in the Callao area, not knowing that within the Callao caves lied the remains of possibly the oldest human to walk the Philippine soil.

Today, she is an active advocate of not only preserving the archaeological treasures that Penablanca holds, but also finding ways to address the ignorance of the locals and have them acknowledge and appreciate what they have. It’s apparent that the students’ Philippine History curriculum (even in their local schools) are not totally complete since these do not include information about the Callao man, who was found very close to their own town.

The speaker suggested that the steps taken to solve these problems must be scientific, systematic, effective in such a way that it is sustainable, and most importantly, relevant. Local people as stakeholders need to be factored into and get involved in these processes. It’s important for them to know what’s going on and be given the chance to participate in it – this is the only way for them to actually appreciate their own archaeological treasures. Also, it is not enough that the government is tapped for this