GLAM Wiki Conference Philippines 2024/Report/CharMel

My 3-day GLAM Experience

With the talks of Fr. Castañeda and Dr. Gernona, they have similarity regarding Vigan and the Cagayan. Both have shown the importance of these two localities in shaping what is now a properous and strategic locations. Yet, they also have disadvantages. Fr. Castańeda’s talks is about the almost lost language and how we can help in preserving this- the Ibanag. Whilst Dr. Gerona shares documents that are not accessible to many due to its exclusivity outside the country ensuring that his works provides more detailed acclaimation of the founding of Villa Fernandina.

Moreover on the importance of the National Museum, Mr. Pablo Chan showcased it in a manner of us realizing that they are not here to display artifacts, this is our history and culture thus preserve it for future generations to come. This partneship is relevant to our event GLAM- Galleries, Archieves, Libraries and Museums. I am grateful for this opportunity and will share this information not only to my nieces and nephews but to my community. The light talks on photography with Herbert and Kineth showed importance on the power of still images in documenting events. I am more interested on this not only as a photographer but as a visual learner as well. The insights of Elmer on Bisaya Language and how we can nurture it si close to my heart as a Cebuana. And the “Lakaw” talks by Khate as nature lover myself is ideal to provide knowledge and guidance to tourist. More detailed talks mainly in how the academe help in preserving and documenting historical data on Dr. Jesusa, Elbert and Jerome’s reports. And lastly, how our youth can help Wiki in manuscript and their Wiki experience with the group of Arch Sen.  

As a photographer and a visual artist, I was fond in roaming around the city and talk to local people. That’s what I love to do- as a traveller. Truely “Wiki Takes Vigan” You have to engage with the locality to be able to know and feel them. I am grateful for this opportunity. I am a firm believer that knowledge should be of free access to anyone-anywhere. This is how WIKI core goal to be able to share this through experience and knowledge. I am hoping that we can share this to a bigger audience especially important talks- may it be targeted or focused groups.