Immortalize Mankayan
Welcome to the ambition. Welcome to the urgency.
Ours is a history worth sharing, a home worth showing and a culture worth preserving; however, the times have changed and we have now become vulnerable to the forces of the change. It is in this concern that we are writing to you, kailian. The times have changed.
A CULTURE WORTH PRESERVING
The improvement of infrastructure coupled with the rise of new communication and information technology has proven to be of great help for our families, our business and our day-to-day activities. While being a great help in the afore-mentioned aspects of our community, these technologies are double-edged swords in the historical and cultural perspectives. They can either improve preservation or initiate obliteration. The effect will be what we choose it to be.
We are aware of how media and information are shaping today’s youth. Social networking sites have made it possible for news and gossip to be viral. Imagine sharing cultural literature, local news and announcements using the same medium. Imagine a public library accessible to anyone, anywhere and anytime.
A HISTORY WORTH SHARING
Mankayan boasts of a colourful history encompassing the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial periods. Our forefathers were witnesses of key events in our national history especially during the Japanese-American (World War II) episodes. In fact, markers of the war like pillboxes and tunnels are still in situ in the municipality. A number of our forefathers have served during the war and a few are still alive to this day – but not for long.
What are the chances the following generations will get to hear about their stories the way they are telling it now? Big, that is if and only if we store them in a storage room that transcends human memory and printed paper. Sadly, this technology has been sitting around for years – untapped.
A HOME WORTH SHOWING
Like its culture and its history, Mankayan has been endowed with riches of nature. This amount of natural wealth coupled with a beautiful community makes it a non-ordinary place. With the economic trend banking on eco-tourism and the outdoors, it is not far that Mankayan will one day be in the country’s tourism map. The chances are augmented by Mankayan’s strategic location bridging the Ilocos plains to the popular tourist spots in the higher lands like Sagada. One day, tourist traffic will know and take the Mankayan route. This shall benefit local businesses and help in the general economy of the municipality.
But are we going to wait for it to happen when we can make it happen? This project aims to catalyze economic progress as well by letting people know about Mankayan – how we can become a venue for an agricultural institution, how we can be a quick stop for travellers, etc. We have the technology. We just have to tap.
PARTICIPATE
If you are interested in this glorious project, please feel free to message us at info@mankayan.org.