Heritage Program for Youth Kicks Off

More than 200 students from University of San Carlos (USC) discovered more of Cebu’s history and culture as they visited various heritage sites in the city last September 7 for the fifth annual Kabataan, Kultura ug Kabilin (KKK).

Student participants went around Plaza Sugbo, Gotiaco Building, port warehouses, Fort San Pedro, Rizal Library and Museum,  Jose R. Gullas Museum, and Casa Gorordo Museum.

Madelaine Te, a Psychology student, sees KKK as an avenue of learning outside the four-walled classroom.

“I want to learn more about Cebu and its culture so that I may share what I learned with other people,” Te added.

Florencio Moreño II, curator of Casa Gorordo Museum and one of the facilitators during the said the activity, will introduce the youth to various heritage sites in Cebu like museums.

“What happens is that they connect their classroom lesson to the knowledge found in our museums and heritage sites. And in the end, we hope to make them appreciate and understand the value of heritage sites and then get their support in protecting them,” Moreño said.

Last September 7 is just first of the four activities of KKK that will run on the four Saturdays of September.

By the end of this month, Moreño said they are expecting 2,000 students to partici different historical destinations in Cebu.

The program is organized by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), in partnership with the University of San Carlos (USC)-Department of Anthropology, Sociology and History and the Cebu City Government.

KKK aims to connect theoretical lectures on history, society, culture and heritage through visiting museums and heritage sites, demonstrate the value of museum and heritage sites or institutions as tools for education, encourage a dynamic dialogue between heritage groups, host communities and young people in the promotion and protection of the sites, and develop a sense of pride.

KKK is a program under Culture & Heritage, one of the focus areas of RAFI, which aims to help communities understand, value, and share their cultural identity with others. RAFI’s other focus areas are Integrated Development, Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Citizenship, and Education.

For more information about KKK, please call 418-7234 local 703 and look for Florencio Moreño II, or visit www.rafi.org.phor www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph, or follow @rafi.org.ph on Twitter. (by Apple Ta-as/RAFI intern)