In an opinion piece published on Rappler, anthropologist Stephen B. Acabado argues that the Philippines' rich cultural landscapes and ecological diversity should be made accessible to youth to connect history, culture, and daily life. He emphasizes the need for deeper interpretation at heritage sites, beyond mere photo opportunities to foster genuine understanding. He compares this to the U.S. national park system, which prioritizes educational experiences.
Stephen B. Acabado, a professor of anthropology at the University of California-Los Angeles and director of the Ifugao and Bicol Archaeological Projects, shares his experience at Mesa Verde National Park in the United States. There, his son Leka asked what ancient inhabitants did daily, reminding Acabado of his own childhood in the Philippines where such sites were encountered only through books. He explains that Ancestral Pueblo communities settled the region around AD 600, with cliff dwellings emerging in the 12th and early 13th centuries. Prolonged droughts prompted relocation as reorganization, not collapse.
In the Philippines, despite extraordinary cultural landscapes and ecological diversity, young people struggle to connect these to history, culture, environment, and everyday life. Many promoted 'heritage' attractions lack context, turning sites into mere photo backdrops rather than places for learning. Acabado contrasts this with the U.S. national park system, established by legislation for public education and stewardship. The Philippines has foundations like the National Integrated Protected Areas System, cultural heritage laws, and UNESCO World Heritage participation to build similar approaches.
Examples include Agusan Marsh with its river-based histories, Tabon Caves linking archaeology and ecology, and Bicol's terrain shaped by Mayon Volcano, chronicling settlement and recovery. Archaeology reveals how past societies managed uncertainty through resource decisions, framing heritage not as loss but problem-solving. Treating it as education and shared responsibility, rather than luxury, can guide tourism and development, offering youth perspective on shaping their future.