TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — Bohol marked another milestone for Philippine heritage on Dec. 9 after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially inscribed the traditional practice of making asin-tibuok on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
The handover took place during the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage at the historic Red Fort Complex in Delhi, India, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Renato Ottone Ramirez and Fumiko Ohinata, secretary of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, presented the certificate to the Philippine delegation.
The delegation included representatives from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, National Museum of the Philippines, Philippine Embassy in France, the Provincial Government of Bohol through the Center for Culture and Arts Development and the Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage Council, the Municipal Government of Alburquerque, and the Philippine Embassy in India.
The asin tibuok making community of Alburquerque was represented by mang-asinay (salt maker) Felix Pinlac Jr.
Heritage advocates and cultural workers have long campaigned for the protection of the practice, which is now carried on by only a few families in Alburquerque town.
Its inclusion in the UNESCO list highlights the urgent need to safeguard knowledge, skills, and traditions that are at risk of disappearing.
Keeping the heritage alive
Alburquerque Mayor Don Ritchie Buates thanked the artisans, cultural advocates, local partner,s and supporters who worked to keep the tradition alive, saying their dedication made the recognition possible.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado welcomed the international recognition, describing asin tibuok as a cultural treasure of Bohol.
“We, the Boholanos ourselves, must be the first to protect this precious heritage. The immense sacrifice and hard work that go into making asin tibuok must be passed on to future generations, ensuring that both the tradition and the livelihood of our people are preserved,” Aumentado said.
Bohol Provincial Tourism Office Officer in Charge Joanne Pinat said the UNESCO inscription serves as “a reminder of our shared commitment to preserve our traditions and to promote them so more people can appreciate and understand our local heritage.”
Pinlac, a certified mang-asinay, expressed gratitude for the recognition of their craft.
“Sa UNESCO, maraming-maraming salamat na nasali kami sa inyong inscription. Isang karangalan ito para sa amin at sa mga mang-asinay,” he said.
(To UNESCO, thank you very much for including us in your inscription. This is an honor for us salt makers.) (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)
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