The recently concluded “Local History Writeshop: Mindanao History in the Making of a Nation” gathered scholars, researchers, development practitioners, and stakeholders in a meaningful exchange on the role of history in understanding Mindanao’s realities and shaping its future.
For Carino Antequisa, ECOWEB Program Development Advisor, the event highlighted the importance of creating more spaces where academic institutions, think tanks, communities, and development actors can engage with one another.
“These local history studies are very important in strengthening humanitarian, development, NGO, and government work.”
Antequisa noted that many community and Indigenous Peoples’ documents, such as ADSDPPs and other state-recognized plans, often lack stronger historical documentation and context. According to him, initiatives like the writeshop help strengthen these efforts by grounding them in research, community memory, and historical evidence.
He also reflected on the sensitivity surrounding the use of the term “Lumad” in contemporary discourse, especially in scholarly and institutional work. While recognizing the term’s importance in Indigenous identity formation, he emphasized the need for researchers and writers to remain mindful of current contexts and community sensitivities in documenting local histories.
The writeshop resonated strongly with the work of Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits, Inc. (EcoWEB), which has long advocated for community-led and people-centered approaches in peacebuilding, resilience, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, humanitarian response, and local governance. For ECOWEB, documenting local histories is not only about preserving heritage: it is also about strengthening community identity, supporting evidence-based development work, and ensuring that local voices and experiences remain part of broader national conversations.
As Mindanao’s histories continue to be documented and shared, the event served as a reminder that understanding the past remains essential in building more inclusive, informed, and resilient communities.
