GLAM Wiki Conference Philippines 2024/Report/ShmilyDigital
The GLAM Wiki Conference Philippines 2024 is national gathering that brings together cultural heritage professionals from Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums with the vibrant Wikimedia communities in the Philippines to exchange and share their experiences, new ideas, and collaboration results about open digital resources, cultural preservation including tangible and intangible heritage, and discuss the practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted. The conference will be held in Vigan, Philippines from September 20-22, 2024. This was my first conference since becoming a Wikimedian in 2023. I would like to thank Wikimedia Foundation for granting me a conference sponsorship to participate in this gathering.
Roles
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During the conference, I carried out roles as in below:
- Participants, GLAM Wiki Conference 2024
- Participants, Wiki Takes Vigan
- Participants, Wiki Loves Manuscripts
Things learned at the conference
[edit]Day 1 – 20 September 2024
[edit]- Exploring Vigan
On the first day of the conference, I found out that the taste preference of the locals from Ilocos Sur is on the bland side. I woke up early. At 5am, I went out of the hotel room with CANON EOS 800D DSLR camera strap around my neck. First, I took photos inside the hotel, the empty lobby, hallways, etc. Ciudad Fernandina Hotel (see photos) is in the corner of Mabini Street and Plaridel Street. From the hotel, I made my way to Calle Crisologo along the way I took photos of street signs and buildings. Since it was still early, there were a few people on the street. Then, I chanced upon a passing kalesa while in Calle Crisologo. (see photo) I walked along Calle Crisologo until I reached the Leona Florentino Monument. I saw someone selling taho and bought some. Just like the atchara from last night wasn’t sour. The taho isn’t that sweet either. After buying a few things from 7-eleven, I went back to the hotel to shower and change.
- Wiki Takes Vigan photo walk, and GLAM Philippines outreach activity in Baluarte
Before leaving the hotel for Baluarte, staffs from the Vigan City Cultural Affairs and Tourism Office arrive along with our Ciudad De Vigan Pasaporte De Turista ( Vigan Tourist Passport).
Indeed Baluarte is more than just a zoo. They have White Lion, Safari Gallery, and, Crocodile Park and Terrarium. I enjoyed exploring and seeing the camel for the first time. Also, I bought a lot of keychains and shirts as souvenir and a leather cowboy hat.
Another thing I noticed are the buildings of popular fast food chains like Jollibee, McDonald's and Chowking doesn't look anything like what most of us are familiar with. McDo (see photo) looks like a church complete with a bell tower on the side.
Baluerte Photos by ShmilyDigital
- Opening event at National Museum of the Philippines - Ilocos
On 20 September 2024, the National Museum of the Philippines (NPM) - Ilocos hosted the opening event of the GLAM Wiki Conference Philippines 2024. NPM Ilocos Head Paolo Mar A. Chan welcomed the participants. Followed by a keynote address of Dr. Sakti Pramudya. Prof. Danilo M. Gerona discussed the "Founding of the Villa Fernandina in Vigan" while Fr. Edmundo C. Castañeda Jr. talked about the Ibanag language. After their lectures, we took a glimpse in the galleries and museum exhibits. NPM Ilocos was generous enough and prepared empanada and drinks for snacks.
Day 2 – 21 September 2024
[edit]On the second day of the conference, I learned about:
- Mr. Herbert Kikoy's Wiki Loves Folklore Journey
- He shown us his winning photos in Wiki Loves Folklore.
- Walking in Maligcong Rice Terraces: Tracing Pathways of Support by Ms. Khate B. Martinez
- Ms. Martinez emphasizes the importance of "Walking" or "Agi" how physical pathways in Maligcong Rice Terraces, paved or unpaved roads help the community of Maligcong.
- Introduction to Macro Photography by Mr. Mark Kineth Casindac
- I got to try macro photography. Funny experience 'cause all I see is a blurry image of the spider.
- Wiki Loves Philippines by Mrs. Maffeth Sto. Tomas
- Wiki Loves Manuscripts by Mr. Irvin P. Sto. Tomas
- Right after the lecture, the students of College of Architecture and Engineering at University of Nueva Caceres headed the Proofreading Wikisource Workshop.
Wiki Takes Vigan by ShmilyDigital
Day 3 – 22 September 2024
[edit]In the last day of the conference, GLAM Philippines goes to Ilocos Norte. Mr. Jessie Silutan our tour associate from Ilocos Norte Tourism office showed us around from
- Sand Dunes
- Malacañang of the North
- La Preciosa Restaurant
- Ilocos Norte Capital
- Paoay Church (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE)
Things the participant contributed or participated in or since the conference
[edit]- Contributed quality photos in Wikimedia.
- Participated in Wiki Takes Vigan and Wiki Loves Manuscripts.