The historic and culturally prominent town of Silang in Cavite has made another significant mark in terms of preserving and perpetuating its rich heritage. Linggo ng Kabataan 2024 culminated through a heritage studies workshop with Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officers as participants.
Initiated by the Silang Municipal Tourism Office in collaboration with the Silang Historical Society and the Silang SK Federation, the daylong heritage workshop facilitated at the new Municipal Hall on August 17 gathered SK councils from the 64 barangays of the town. The history of Silang was presented to the participants in the most interesting and creative ways—through food, genealogy (history of families or line of ancestry), and old photos.
“The workshop was very insightful, and I learned a lot,” said Carl Angelo Santos, SK Chairperson of Brgy. Ulat. “We at SK usually do sports clinics or seminars about health or hygiene, but for the first time, we did an activity about history.”
The 23-year-old SK chairperson also did not expect to learn history through food. Santos said they were also surprised at how simple old photographs could help describe the past, even without written statements.
Appreciation of history
Secretary of Silang SK Federation Reinalyn Jaron, herself a former SK Chairman at Brgy. Maguyam, expressed her appreciation of the effort to relate history with the town’s young leaders. “We are not really familiar with history these days. That’s why we are happy with what the Silang Historical Society shared with us through this workshop,” she said.
For 20-year-old Francine Montoya, an SK Councilor at Brgy. Tubuan 2, the session about the town’s genealogy of prominent families in Silang was an eye opener. She was surprised to learn that her family’s lineage was among the respected in Old Silang. Montoya was thrilled to hear about her grandfather, whom she has never met as he was already deceased when she was born.
“Many things about history in today’s sessions were not taught in school. History is important to us because doon tayo natututo (we learn from it),” Montoya shared.
More interest about history
Juan Gabriel Bravo, Social Studies teacher in Bulihan Integrated High School and member of the Silang Historical Society expressed his hopefulness about the youth being more interested in history. In his school, for instance, the number of students signing up for the History Club since 2022 has been on the rise.
“Our History Club in school used to have just about 50 attendees at most. But by 2022, it suddenly rose to about 150 and this school year, the number even jumped to almost 200. It could be because of the clout, but I think the use of social media platforms and group chats to promote history are working,” Bravo disclosed.
According to Silang Historical Society Vice President for Internal Affairs Leonilo Batino, their group had already facilitated sessions with students in schools before, but he was surprised that the first time it was conducted with SK officers (who came voluntarily) in attendance was a success. 
Silang Historical Society currently has over 50 members. The group is open to new members, who has keen and genuine interest about the history and heritage of the town.
Support from municipality
The heritage workshop for the SK Federation was aligned with the goal of Acting Mayor PGen. Edward Carranza (Ret) to promote patriotism among the town’s youth.
“The municipality aims to strengthen community-based cultural tourism. The Mayor’s Office wants to involve communities so they can have ownership in our cultural projects,” said Jecka de Castro, Officer-in-Charge of the Municipal Tourism Office. The Local Youth Development Office will also be tapped to reach out to more young people across the town.
“This is just one of the many projects that we have lined up this year. By end of August, we would have launched Silang Longganisa. Before the year ends, our target is to help establish Silang Tourism Council, driven by private organizations and businesses who would partner with the local government in promoting attractions, establishments, and enterprises in Silang,” de Castro concluded.