UZ - Centre for Local History and Culture, El Kaban de Zamboanga

15/09/2026

The Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) welcomed Dr. Gordon Peake, an award-winning author, researcher, and consultant affiliated with the Development Policy Centre, Australian National University, during his visit to the University on September 11, 2026.

Dr. Peake is recognized for his writings on places, history, personal politics, and international relations. One of his books was also named Winner of the 2014 ACT Book of the Year, highlighting his contributions to literature and research.

His visit included a tour of the UZ campus and a productive conversation with Dr. Joselito F. Ignacio, Research Director of the Centre for University Research and Innovation (CURI); Ms. Ma. Luzbella Avellana, Faculty Member of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (SLAS); and Ms. Nursalyn Sappayani, Internal Auditor of the Quality Management System Department (QMSD).

The discussion explored the university’s research aspirations and potential opportunities for Dr. Peake to serve as a resource speaker in UZ's future research activities.

Write-up by: Centre for University Research and Innovation

06/09/2026

The Universidad de Zamboanga, through the Centre for Local History and Culture (CLHC) - El Kaban de Zamboanga, participated in the 13th General Assembly of the Local Historical Committees Network 2026, held in Biñan, Laguna, on August 25 to 27, 2026.

The event was hosted by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and brought together local historical committees and cultural institutions from different parts of the country.

During the event, the CLHC - El Kaban de Zamboanga was recognized as a full member-affiliate of the Local Historical Committee Network. The Centre was formally welcomed alongside other newly affiliated members of the network.

This milestone reflects the Centre’s continuing commitment to preserving, documenting, researching, and promoting the rich local history and cultural heritage of Zamboanga. Membership in the network also provides an avenue for the Centre to strengthen collaboration, exchange knowledge and best practices, and build meaningful partnerships with other institutions dedicated to local history and heritage preservation.

The three-day General Assembly emphasized the importance of strengthening local historical research, fostering collaboration among local historical committees, promoting heritage conservation, and creating stronger networks for the documentation and dissemination of local histories. It also served as a platform for participants to share initiatives and strategies in advancing historical and cultural work in their respective communities.

UZ was represented by the CLHC Director, Dr. Felice Noelle Rodriguez and Centre Coordinator, Mr. John Lester Lopez.

Through this participation and new affiliation, the Universidad de Zamboanga and the Centre for Local History and Culture, El Kaban de Zamboanga reaffirm their commitment to ensuring that the history and heritage of Zamboanga are preserved, remembered, shared, and passed on to future generations.

Write-up and Photos by: Centre for Local History and Culture - El Kaban de Zamboanga

05/09/2026

The Centre for Local History and Culture - El Kaban de Zamboanga joins the nation in mourning the passing of National Artist for Literature Dr. Resil B. Mojares.

Conferred the Order of National Artists for Literature in 2018, Dr. Resil B. Mojares was a distinguished scholar, historian, and advocate of regional literature and history. As the founding director of the Cebuano Studies Center, he established an important institution for the research, preservation, and documentation of Cebuano history, literature and culture.

His pioneering scholarship and lifelong commitment to regional studies helped deepen our understanding of Philippine identity and demonstrated the vital role of local history and culture in shaping the nation.

The Centre honors his enduring legacy and extends its deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, students, and the communities whose histories and cultures he helped preserve and bring to greater recognition.

May his legacy continue to inspire generations of scholars, historians, and cultural workers.

Rest in peace, National Artist Resil B. Mojares. 🕊️

04/08/2026

The Mindanao leg of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Roadshow, featuring the localized press conference and the Technical Assistance and Project Proposal Writeshop for prospective proponents of the 2027 NCCA Competitive Grants Program (CGP), successfully concluded on July 28, 2026, at Rogen Hall, Rogen Inn, Davao City.

The event brought together local government unit (LGU) representatives, cultural workers and enthusiasts, cultural organizations, academic institutions, media practitioners, and other stakeholders from across Mindanao. Participants gained valuable insights into the NCCA's priority programs, accreditation process, and the 2027 Competitive Grants Program. Representatives from the NCCA Program Management Division guided attendees through the available grant categories, project opportunities, application requirements, and the fundamentals of developing competitive project proposals.

The Centre for Local History and Culture – El Kaban de Zamboanga participated in the roadshow as part of its continuing commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and pursuing NCCA accreditation. The participation also reflects the Centre's dedication to expanding opportunities for cultural heritage research, preservation, publication, and community engagement through future NCCA-funded initiatives.

31/07/2026

The Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ), through the Centre for Local History and Culture (CLHC) – El Kaban de Zamboanga, participated in the "Collection Stories and Indo-Pacific Worlds" symposium, held on July 12 to 16, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Organized by the Pacific Circle, an affiliated society of the History of Science Society, the symposium explored how collections of botanical, zoological, ethnographic, and other materials have shaped scientific knowledge and historical understanding across the Indo-Pacific region.
UZ was represented by CLHC Director Dr. Felice Noelle Rodriguez, who presented her paper, "Where Land and Sea Meet: The Making of Imperial Science and the Making of a Zamboanga Environment, 1792–1888," on July 15, 2026, at the National Museum of Scotland Auditorium.
Dr. Rodriguez was personally introduced by Janet Browne, Aramont Professor Emerita of the History of Science at Harvard University and one of the world's leading scholars of Charles Darwin.
During the conference, a copy of Darwin: A Biography (2026) authored by Prof. Janet Browne was acquired and donated to the Universidad de Zamboanga Library, further enriching its academic resources in the field of the history of science.

27/07/2026

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐁𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐒 │𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦

The Universidad de Zamboanga through its Centre for Local History and Culture (CLHC), El Kaban de Zamboanga, partnership with National Museum of the Philippines - Zamboanga Fort Pilar, invites researchers, educators, students, cultural workers, Museum of the museum practitioners, and heritage advocates to submit abstracts for the 2026 Regional Heritage Forum.

With the theme "𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨'𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐬," this year's forum explores the rich connections between biodiversity, cultural heritage, and sustainable practices in Mindanao. We welcome original research, case studies, and community-based initiatives that contribute to the understanding, preservation, and promotion of the region's natural and cultural heritage.

𝐒𝐮𝐛-𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬:
✅Mindanao Biodiversity
✅Conservation and Sustainable Practices
✅Historical and Cultural Landscapes of Mindanao

📅 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: 20–21 October 2026
📍 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: National Museum of the Philippines-Zamboanga, Zamboanga City, Philippines

𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝:
📅 27 July – 31 August 2026

Join us in advancing research, fostering collaboration, and celebrating Mindanao's living heritage through meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange. Submit your abstract through the link below or scan the QR code on the poster: https://tinyurl.com/2026RHFCallForAbstracts

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐁𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐒 │𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦

The National Museum of the Philippines, in partnership with Universidad de Zamboanga through its Centre for Local History and Culture (CLHC), El Kaban de Zamboanga, invites researchers, educators, students, cultural workers, museum practitioners, and heritage advocates to submit abstracts for the 2026 Regional Heritage Forum.

With the theme "𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨'𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐬," this year's forum explores the rich connections between biodiversity, cultural heritage, and sustainable practices in Mindanao. We welcome original research, case studies, and community-based initiatives that contribute to the understanding, preservation, and promotion of the region's natural and cultural heritage.

𝐒𝐮𝐛-𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬:
✅Mindanao Biodiversity
✅Conservation and Sustainable Practices
✅Historical and Cultural Landscapes of Mindanao

📅 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: 20–21 October 2026
📍 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: National Museum of the Philippines-Zamboanga, Zamboanga City, Philippines

𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝:
📅 27 July – 31 August 2026

Join us in advancing research, fostering collaboration, and celebrating Mindanao's living heritage through meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange. Submit your abstract through the link below or scan the QR code on the poster: https://tinyurl.com/2026RHFCallForAbstracts

08/07/2026

𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞-𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
13–14 October 2026

Universidad de Zamboanga, Zamboanga City