SBCA and the Asian Social Institute – Center for Heritage Conservation (ASI-CHC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Sept. 30 during a forum, “Mapping Culture, Shaping Futures: Cultural Mapping for Tourism and the Creative Industries,” held at the Manny Reyes Hall to advance cultural mapping across local governments and educational institutions.

Organized in celebration of National Tourism Week and Philippine Creative Industries Month, the event brought together delegates from the Department of Tourism (DOT), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), various local government units (LGUs), and higher education institutions.

Distinguished guests include Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon and Sarah Bendaña, head of the Muntinlupa Tourism, Culture, and the Arts Department; SBCA Institutional Advancement (IA) Director Dr. Ma. Kathleen C. Tiglao and Registrar Joseph Matola; ASI-CHC Directors Alejandro Villios and Anis Ariele; and representatives from the LGUs of Taguig, Cavite City, San Nicolas in Pangasinan, Leganes in Iloilo, Casiguran, Santa Maria, and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato. 

Academic delegates included faculty and students from De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, University of Santo Tomas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and Mapúa University, as well as graduate students from Myanmar. 

The initiative aims to build partnerships among local governments, educational institutions, and heritage organizations to systematically record communities' tangible and intangible heritage for sustainable tourism and regional development.

In his opening remarks, SBCA Rector-President Rev. Fr. Gerard Ma. De Villa, OSB, emphasized the goals of turning knowledge into service, fostering partnerships across sectors, using cultural mapping for sustainable tourism, and highlighting career opportunities in culture and heritage.   

"By preserving, documenting, and celebrating our cultural heritage, we strengthen our unique Filipino identity," Fr. De Villa said. 

"We encourage our youth and professionals to view careers in heritage and culture not merely as professions, but as a noble vocation dedicated to preserving truth, beauty, and national identity,” the Rector-President added.

Following the ceremonial signing, ASI presented SBCA with the painting “Serenity” by contemporary Filipino artist Camille Jean Verdelaire de la Rosa to symbolize the shared educational vision between both institutions.

The forum featured presentations on the practical applications of cultural mapping data. Prof. Felipe Mendoza De Leon Jr., President of ASI and former NCCA Chair, discussed using cultural mapping outputs as learning resources to create localized, contextualized curriculum materials that foster pride of place and safeguard local traditions. 

Dr. Joseph Richard C. Renta III, Administrator and Curator of the SCBA Museum and Archives, addressed cultural mapping applications within museum and heritage practice. He explained that mapping outputs are disseminated through books, public databases, and research papers, while highlighting Republic Act 11961, which mandates cultural mapping for all LGU’s. 

“Forward-thinking municipalities are finding that the single best way to promote and celebrate these mapped cultural assets is by establishing a local museum, transforming legal compliance into a powerful cultural destination,” Dr. Renta III also noted that documentation is merely the first step.

Furthermore, Mr. Delan Lopez Robillos, ASI-CHC Director for Education and Training, detailed how heritage data drives local economic development and tourism planning.

Hon. Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez, Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), delivered the keynote address focusing on integrating cultural mapping into technical-vocational education and career pathways.