Cultural Mapping of Cementerio Del Norte: Tracing the Values and Significance of Memorials Dedicated to Select Philippine Political Figures
摘要
Respect for the deceased and their burial grounds has always been elemental to Filipino culture. Before the introduction of cemeteries bySpanish colonizers, the Philippines already has intrinsic traditions of burying their departed loved ones on sacred grounds distinct in various regions. The Cementerio Del Norte, more popularly known as Manila North Cemetery, opened in 1904 and is among the oldest and largest memorial parks in the Philippines. Originally part of a larger cemetery, it later became a separate entity to also cater to non-Catholic burials. The Cementerio Del Norte has a rich history, albeit the study focused on memorial sites of Philippine political figures buried within the site. The research evolved on extensive fieldwork that identified the burial sites and evaluation of the character and present state of the structures, photo corroboration, a review of the literature to validate the significant contributions of the identified political figures interred on-site and focus group discussions. The “Cultural Mapping Toolkit, Guide for Participatory Cultural Mapping in Local Communities” by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, was used to document the identified burial sites. The study is an archival of the memorials of Philippine political figures as guides for pilgrims to cultural sites within the Manila North Cemetery. The cultural mapping is also an initial step towards preserving the monuments as resting grounds of identified individuals who shaped Philippine politics and history. By tracing the values and significance of memorials dedicated to select Philippine political figures, the research enriches our comprehension of the intricate interplay between memory, politics, and culture within the context of a nation's burial ground.