𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — Representatives of the University of the Philippines – School of Archaeology (UPSA) conducted a preliminary survey of five potential heritage sites last week, which could be formally studied for the upcoming implementation of the Pantropocene Project this year.The Pantropocene Project is an archaeological and scientific study that focuses on colonial-period land use in Cagayan. It is a joint research endeavor between the UPSA, the Provincial Government of Cagayan through the Cagayan Museum and Historical Research Center (CMHRC), the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cagayan, University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao (USLT), and the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology.
The Spanish Colonial Period heritage sites that were included in the survey were the old San Vicente Ferrer Church in Solana; the remnants of the convent of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Church in Amulung; the Santa Agnes Montepulciano Church Ruins in Santo Niño; the convent ruins of the Santa Ana Church in Buguey; the San Juan Nepomuceno Church Ruins in Pamplona; and the San Miguel Arcangel Church in Gattaran.
The survey team also made courtesy calls to local stakeholders to ensure proper coordination. The team personally met with Cagayan Governor Gen. Edgar “Egay” Aglipay; Archbishop Ricardo Baccay; USLT officials; officials from the concerned municipalities and barangays; and parish priests from those local parishes involved.
The courtesy calls are also meant to undercore the project’s advocacy of clearing local folk stigma that associates legitimate archaeological projects with illegal treasure hunting. For years, a number of Cagayan’s officially recognized heritage sites have been subject to cases of destructive treasure hunting, which is presently a crime punishable by law. As such, communities that care for such sites have become wary of excavations including legal scientific research that carry permits from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Last year, the Pantropocene Project commenced in Cagayan for the first time, starting with the Nagsimbaanan Ruins in Namuac, Sanchez Mira. After the archaeological excavation, the research team conducted an open public exhibit of cultural material findings to the members of the local community. Through the exhibit, local stakeholders and residents were able to disassociate the archaeological excavation from treasure hunting, and understand the importance of archaeological research in preserving Cagayan’s heritage sites, as well as strenthening provincial identity and the appreciation of local history and culture. The excavation pits were eventually backfilled.
The survey team was composed of UPSA delegates Dr. Grace Baretto-Tesoro and Ar. Timothy Augustus Ong; CMHRC Director and Curator Niño Kevin D. Baclig who led a contigent of museum staff– Administrative Officer John Paul Mabasa, Researcher Jan Karl Coballes, research assistants Davin Edjae Lacambra and Billmar Freeman, Jr.; and Cagayan Heritage Conservation Society Vice-President Prince Wilson Macarubbo. (DESL/with photos from LGU Solana, LGU Sto. Niño, LGU Gattaran)

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