The Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI) conducted its annual National Congress with the theme “Libraries: Preservers and Promoters of Culture and Arts” in Punta Villa Resort, Arevalo, Iloilo City on November 20-22, 2013. The Congress, chaired by our very own Director of Libraries, Mr. Michael A. Pinto who is the current Vice President of PLAI, was co-sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through the National Committee on Libraries and Information Services (NCLIS).
This gathering of library professionals paved the way to : 1) hastening the development, maintenance and sharing of local materials through a stronger library and cultural coordination and cooperation; 2) enhancing librarians’ capability in formulating and carrying out cultural programs and activities; and 3) boosting the valuing of local cultural thesaurus by librarians.
Day One was highlighted with the parade of the PLAI Regional Councils where Mrs. Fely C. Baliton, Mrs. Juliet D. Villanueva and Mrs. Liza Tamargo waved the Cagayan Valley Region banner, next to the entrance of colors. It was a very entertaining opening ceremony because participants were serenaded by the competent singers and graceful dancers of the NCCA.
Day Two was packed with parallel sessions conducted for the first time in the congress. The author was in attendance to two sessions: LUMINA PANDIT : A contribution of the University of Sto. Tomas by Fr. Angel Aparicio, OP and IFLA paper presentations entitled “Local studies Centers: Transforming History, Culture and Heritage in the Philippines” and “Exploring Filipiniana Rare Books and the State of Filipiniana Rare Books Management” presented by Mr. Martin Julius Perez and Mr. Romulo R. Ubay, Jr. respectively. Day Two was capped with a Cultural Night, with librarians clad in their best Filipiniana attire while being entertained by NCCA’s folk dances.
It was during the third day that professional librarians were inspired by Mrs. Elizabeth Peralejo, PLAI President, who ably talked about revisiting the Code of Ethics for Philippine Librarians. General Assembly and Closing Ceremonies followed in the afternoon. Mr. Michael Pinto, the conference chair had his closing remarks after the General Assembly.
Steadfast to the theme, Day Four was all about library and cultural tours.
The three-day congress was indeed meaningful as it gave important ideas and creative concepts on the role of librarians as instruments in preserving and promoting culture and heritage of our country. To top it all, many great insights were kindled to jumpstart project proposals whose ultimate aim is to help our historians, sociologists and anthropologists in the preservation of our Filipino cultural identity.