Philippine International Quincentennial Conference

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is organizing the Philippine International Quincentennial Conference, a two-month event series that focuses on the “Filipino-centric” quincentennial anniversary of Magellan’s arrival, from Oct. 20 to Dec. 17.

Around a hundred Filipino and foreign scholars, diplomats, officials, artists and scientists will give lectures and insights on the theme “Situating the Filipino and the Philippines in 1521,” according to the National Quincentennial Committee. The sessions will be streamed on nqc.gov.ph and on NCQ’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

“Many Filipinos were educated that Philippine history began with the now politically incorrect phrase ‘discovery of the Philippines’ by Ferdinand Magellan in March 1521. For centuries, it created an impression that prior to Magellan’s arrival, our ancestors were nothing but savage, uncivilized peoples. While the world is celebrating the 500^th anniversary of the realization of Magellan’s feat as an achievement of humankind (i.e., circumnavigating the world for the first time), the Filipinos are trying their best to find their place in the milestone that is respectful of their own history,” the NCQ says on its website.

Here are the events in the PICQ:

Oct. 20–22 — “Opening Ceremony and Inaugural Session: Recent Studies on the Magellan-Elcano Expedition and the Philippines” (Convener: National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines)

Oct. 25–26 — “Historiography Among Filipino Propagandists/Ilustrado Historiography” (Convener: Philippine Historical Association, in partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University History Department,)

Nov. 4–5 — “The Formative Years of Spanish Philippines, 1565 to 1665” (Convener: Philippine National Historical Society, Inc.)

Nov. 10 — “Religion, Colonialism and the Revolution: Quincentennial Reflections” (Convener: De La Salle University History Department)

Nov. 15 and 22 — “Reclaiming Our Place: Reanalyzing Toponymy and Philippine History” (Convener: University of the Philippines Los Baños Social Science Department)

Nov. 17 — “Southeast Asia in the 16^th Century” (Convener: Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology MSU IIT Department of History)

Nov. 23–24 — “Confluences of Latin American-Southeast Asian Relations in the 16^th Century” (Convener: Department of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with Philippine Academic Consortium for Latin American Studies)

Nov. 26–27 — “Early Accounts on the Philippines from Various Foreign Archives” (Convener: National Historical Commission of the Philippines)

Dec. 1 — “Tracing the Maritime Silk Road in the Visayas” (Convener: University of San Carlos Museum)

Dec. 2 — “Year of Filipino Pre-colonial Ancestors Special Papers” (Convener: National Museum of the Philippines)

Dec. 3–4 — “Belief Systems and Spiritual Climate in the Philippines Over the Last 500 Years” (Convener: University of the Philippines Baguio History Department)

Dec. 6–10 — “The Early Philippine and Southeast Asian Building and Gold Crafting Technology” (Convener: Fr. Saturnino Urios University)

Dec. 13–15 — “Documentation of Early Filipinos” (Convener: ADHIKA ng Pilipinas)

Dec. 16–17 — “Closing Session: Asserting a Filipino Point of View” (Convener: University of the Philippines UP Diliman History Department)