Historical markers of the Philippines


Historical markers are installed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in the Philippines and places abroad that signify important events, persons, structures, and institutions in Philippine national and local histories. The plaques themselves are permanent signs installed by the NHCP in publicly visible locations on buildings, monuments, or in special locations. Local municipalities and cities can also install markers of figures and events of local significance. Though they may have the permission of the NHCP, these markers are barred from using the seal of the Republic of the Philippines.
While many Cultural Properties have historical markers installed, not all places marked with historical markers are designated into one of the particular categories of Cultural Properties. As of January 2012, the total number of historical markers listed by the NHCP is 459; however, the number of markers from all these lists is more than 1,500.

History

Before 1933, several civic efforts have been initiated to create monuments and to mark historic sites and events, such as Cry of Balintawak, José Rizal Monument, and the birthplace of Andrés Bonifacio. However, many more historical sites have not been recognized or marked.
The earliest predecessor of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines was the Philippine Historical Research and Markers Committee. Established in October 23, 1933 via Executive Order 451 during the governorship of Frank Murphy during the American colonial era, one of its tasks was to mark cultural and historical antiquities in Manila, which was later expanded to cover the rest of the Philippines. The first markers were installed in 1934, including ones for Church of San Agustin, Fort Santiago, Plaza McKinley, Roman Catholic Cathedral of Manila, San Sebastian Church, Concordia College, Manila Railroad Company, Dr. Lorenzo Negrao, and University of Santo Tomas. Issuance of markers stopped during the Second World War. Some of these markers were either lost or destroyed during the war and new markers were installed as replacements for San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral. Throughout the years, some markers have also been reportedly missing as they were stolen and sold as scrap metal. The installation of markers was continued by the successors of the PHRMC: the Philippines Historical Committee, National Historical Institute, and the National Historical Commission. The standard style of markers has changed throughout the years.
The language of the markers are mostly and primarily in Filipino, with markers also in English and Spanish. The first marker to contain a regional language was installed to commemorate the Cebu Provincial Capitol in Cebu City. The markers, both in Cebuano and Filipino, were installed in 2008. The first marker in Ilocano was installed to commemorate Mansion House in Baguio City in 2009. The first marker in Kapampangan was installed to commemorate the Holy Rosary Parish Church in Angeles in 2017. Historical markers outside of the Philippines may also be written in the local language of the country where the marker is installed such as German in Berlin, Germany and French in Ghent, Belgium. Two of the first markers outside of the Philippines were installed in Ghent, Belgium, commemorating the residence of José Rizal when the El Filibusterismo was published, and in Dezhou, China, commemorating Paduka Batara, a King of Sulu who paid tribute to the Yongle Emperor and died there. Both were installed in 1959.
Markers related to Rizal occur the most, and Filipino historian Teodoro A. Agoncillo revealed that during his time, their efforts in the board were mostly spent on approving, discussing, and rewriting the marker texts. With the number of marker requests relating to Rizal, he joked “Aba! Pati ba naman eskinitang inihian ni Rizal ibig lagyan ng marker!”.
In 2002, during the unveiling ceremony of the marker National Federation of Women’s Clubs in the Philippines in Manila Hotel, former president Fidel Ramos joked that the curtain raising reminded him of striptease, and everybody laughed. That was the last time that the curtains were pulled upward, and from then, the unveiling involves curtain pulling instead.
In 2011, the NHCP stated that it will pursue more markers for Visayas and Mindanao for their further inclusion in national history, citing the concentration of markers in Luzon.
The Kudan, the Philippine embassy building in Tokyo, has been declared a national historical landmark by the NHCP and was granted a historical marker on March 3, 2014. It is the first overseas site to be granted such status. During the unveiling of the marker, Ambassador Manuel Lopez called the building as the crown jewel of Philippine foreign service.
On June 3, 2016, the NHCP, for the first time, installed a marker for a nameless personality. A marker was installed in Macabebe, commemorating the leader of the Battle of Bangkusay Channel, the "first native to give up his life for independence."

Criteria and policies

The following are the policies issued by the NHCP on the installation of markers:
  1. Markers shall be installed for Filipino heroes, historic events and places involving historical acts and patriotic endeavors to dramatize the need to focus to the national consciousness the history of our country from the Filipino viewpoint and to evoke pride in our national heritage and identity.
  2. Installation of historical markers that honor Filipino heroes shall be undertaken after proper and thorough study.
  3. Historical markers shall only be installed in places with great historical value as determined by the NHI Board.
  4. Historical markers for religious personalities maybe installed in recognition of social or historical value.
  5. Historical marker shall not be installed to honor persons deceased less than fifty years, unless they are considered outstanding figures.
  6. Request for historical markers may be granted during the centenary year of deserving persons, places or structures.
  7. Historical markers shall not be installed in honor of persons who are still living.
  8. Historical markers may be installed in honor of foreigners, only in exceptional cases.
  9. Markers of local significance shall be allowed upon approved application to the NHI provided they are installed and financed by the agency, person or organization making the request and in such cases, the seal of the Republic of the Philippines shall not be allowed to be used.
  10. In consonance with the national policy, all texts of historical markers shall be in the National Language.
  11. The historical marker shall have a uniform design, size and materials. The NHI shall exercise the exclusive right over its use and production.
  12. The historical markers are government property. Any act to destroy or remove the said markers without the written authority from the NHI Board shall be charged criminally in accordance with existing laws.The NHI shall conceptualize the standard design, size and materials of the pedestals for the historical marker.
  13. To ensure the protection, upkeep and maintenance of the historical markers, the NHI and the client shall both officially agree and sign the Certificate of Transfer.

    Issues

Some historical markers have also caused issues and controversies due to different reasons.
These lists of historical markers installed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines are annotated lists of people, places, or events in the Philippines that have been commemorated by cast-iron plaques issued by the said commission.
There are markers installed by the NHCP outside the Philippines commemorating Philippine-related events, and there are separate lists on these markers, by region.